Though it is highly recommended that you make friends at work for your own mental wellbeing, the manager might not be the best option for one’s happiness, says Frog Recruitment.

Out of 977 Kiwi workers, almost half (46%) say they preferred a clear workplace boundary when it comes to being friends with the boss

For the younger generation (aged 19-34) they feel the opposite, having been more open to the idea of being friendly with over 50s. Over one-third of Gen Z (36%) admit that being friendly with the c-suite has motivated them to work harder, and 31% for those aged 50 and over.

But 20% of respondents say that being friendly with the boss has made no difference to workplace satisfaction.

Further into the Frog Recruitment poll, there is a clear divide between generations, with 74% of respondents saying there is a generational difference impacting their relationship with their leader.

Out of that 74%, there is a clear divide between people seeing it as a negative or a positive.

Gen Zs believe the age difference negatively impacts their employee-boss bond (42%), while a significant percentage of workers aged 50-plus (also 42%) reckon it’s a good thing.

But what are the real consequences of being friendly with your boss?

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“One of the potential perils of becoming too close with your manager is that it can impact their ability to manage you fairly,” says Frog Recruitment Managing Director Shannon Barlow.

In the same research, 290 Kiwis say that being friendly with your boss can compromise fairness at work, with 41% agreeing that it could lead to a bias and 45% saying it depended on the boss.

“Managers are in a unique position where they’re expected to provide support to their team, but they sometimes miss out on having their own trusted peers to turn to,” she says.

“They may be cognisant of finding the right balance between bonding with the team and having real friendships while not playing favourites or venting about sensitive business challenges.”

Barlow adds that having a trusted peer can improve the workplace environment, mental health and team cohesion.

She recommends that between employees and bosses, oversharing isn’t advisable but cultivating trusted workplace relationships with peers or mentors, enhances work life for everyone.

“Ultimately, fostering an environment where employees and managers alike feel supported and connected is key to workplace satisfaction and mental wellbeing.”