When to be a Friend and When to be a Co-worker

Would you tell the boss that one of your co-workers wasn’t doing his or her job as well as they should be? There is a time and a place to be a ”friend” and there is a time and place to be a responsible co-worker at your job.

You must draw the line in the sand somewhere between being a friend and being a co-worker. If you even notice ”shady” behavior, you must speak up. You cannot allow theft of any sort take place if you see it happen before your own eyes. You will need to tell your superiors immediately. Do you really want to work in a place where you work side-by-side with a thief?

It goes without saying that stealing is a major, fire able offense. You might feel guilty for telling on someone (even if they are stealing from work and will lose their job). Think of it this way, if you do ”rat” on them you will then know you are working in a safer work environment and the potential for theft just declined. You have an obligation to tell your boss when a crime has been committed because if you do not, then you are guilty for not reporting it. Then, if someone knows you failed to report it then you look even guiltier.

If one of your co-workers called you up and asked if you could cover them for a day (on a beautiful Saturday) would you do it? You would be a great friend if you did such a thing. Then again, you know that they are calling in sick not because they are sick or because they have a family emergency but because they wanted a day free of work. You could politely say no or you can earn an extra day’s pay perhaps, the choice is yours.

Not everyone you work with will be your best friend in the whole wide world. On the other hand though, just because you don’t like someone doesn’t mean you have to sabotage their career.

If your friendship with one of your co-workers waivers, meaning that you enjoy them to a certain extent but wouldn’t go out with them for a drink at a bar, then you shouldn’t let them take advantage of your kindness. Those who take advantage will find ways to get people to do things for them every chance they can get. Hopefully, you do not have these types of ”devious” people working at your job. People who try to find a shortcut and a way to do as little work as possible and still receive that pay check every Friday are like sharks, as soon as they smell blood (your kindness) in the water they will go in for the kill.

If you ever come across a situation where your friendship or your professionalism comes into play, think long and hard about what you will say or do. You do not want to be in a position where your own job is in jeopardy because of what you did to help a friend – or what you didn’t do about a co-worker.