Other entrepreneurs, on the contrary, understand that this proximity can generate good results, such as collaboration between teams and employee loyalty to the company. But what exactly are the negative and positive factors of this relationship?
Friendship and dating
Initially, it is important to distinguish between two types of close relationships within the company: friendship and dating. Friendly relationships between employees and employers tend to be less problematic, although they also have their setbacks. Dating relationships are more complicated, because they involve very personal issues and can directly affect the quality of the activities performed by both professionals.
Even if they are different relationships, it is important that you adopt a common posture in the management of the company . Be it micro, small, medium or large company, clear rules of relationship with employees must be established, especially during the training period , to avoid future problems.
Healthy relationships should be encouraged
In a work context, it is very common for relationships of the most varied kinds to arise between employees and employers, because most of these people's time is spent in common contact, occasionally even longer than the time that the person spends at home . In this sense, it is important to foster healthy relationships, which are neither too close nor hostile.
Within the scope of companies, relationships must allow for the civilized exchange of information, even if personal, so as not to interfere with the quality of work. Thus, friendship and dating relationships that generate constant fights, gossip and other problems should be avoided. On the contrary, friendly relationships, which foster good practices among employees, such as team integration and increased dynamism and collaboration, should be encouraged.
Possible business losses
What's at stake for your company? The first possible problem is the confusion between personal life and work performed. It is essential that there is a separation of these two spheres, as professional aspects, such as the execution of projects, can be harmed by personal resentments. In addition, relationships that are too close can lead to a decrease in the general productivity of employees, since jokes, get-togethers and hallway conversations go beyond the limit of what is acceptable.
Finally, it is also possible that these relationships raise questions about the conditions of isonomy between employees. For example, if an employee who is a friend of the boss is promoted, no matter how competent he is, this generates frustration on the part of the other employees in relation to the objective criteria for making that choice. This can discourage employees from pursuing career advancement and even staying with the company.
The necessary separation between personal and professional spheres
This separation is fundamental. It is possible for two friends to have extremely contrary positions regarding the execution of a project or a company decision and, even so, remain friends. The problem is when these contexts get mixed up, and a decision starts to affect the way you make decisions and manage the company. Bosses who are very friendly with their employees may find it difficult to reprimand inappropriate behavior, criticize (even if constructive) an employee's work, as well as have their personal relationships affected, for example, by deciding to fire someone. For these reasons, it is ideal that there be the maximum separation between the two scopes, as a way of preserving both relationships.
Don't let it affect overall productivity
Too close relationships can affect productivity within the company. People focus more on hallway gossip than on work. In addition, decisions end up becoming more difficult to be taken, as the manager knows personal aspects of employees' lives. This clouds your objective judgment regarding the company's core activities, which should take priority.
What can the employee lose with this?
Employees also lose out on these close relationships with their boss. In addition to risking the support of colleagues regarding their professional qualifications, employees seen as “favored” by the leader are normally marginalized from some decisions and complaints regarding the company's management.
How to manage these relationships in the business context?
Ideally, relationships within the company should be as professional as possible. To put this into practice, as a boss, you should avoid getting too close to employees. This also applies to social networks, where political, personal, academic and professional opinions are often exposed! Also try to establish clear rules for the relationship between employees, such as an internal company policy. From the moment these relationships start to affect essential activities, you will have greater support to make any decisions to dismiss or reallocate teams.