Belonging over benefits: The power of work friendships

With Friendship Day recently observed, employees across Asia are showing that genuine workplace friendships matter more than ever. While compensation remains important, organisations must now rethink how they foster engagement and retain talent by placing greater emphasis on building meaningful workplace relationships beyond traditional rewards.

What a “work buddy” means to employees

According to a recent survey of Singapore-based employees, 84% said they consider some colleagues as friends – a bond that extends beyond casual office chats, helping them feel more connected and supported in their roles.

Importantly, 43% of respondents said they would accept a lower salary in exchange for meaningful friendships at work. This shows how emotional connections often matter more than financial incentives, especially in a competitive talent market.

Five ways to celebrate Friendship Day with your colleagues

Even though Friendship Day has recently passed, it’s never too late to celebrate the power of connection at work. These simple and thoughtful ideas are designed to be inclusive and enjoyable for everyone, even introverts who may prefer quieter, low-pressure ways to build relationships.

1. Kindness jar

Set up a “kindness jar” in a common area where employees can drop in anonymous notes of encouragement, compliments, or small acts of kindness for others to pick up whenever they need. It’s a quiet, thoughtful way to brighten someone’s day and build goodwill.

2. Trivia quiz

Host a light trivia quiz where employees submit little-known fun facts about themselves in advance. During the quiz, the team guesses which fact belongs to which colleague. This activity encourages learning about one another in a fun way and sparks conversations naturally.

3. Friendship wall

Create a bulletin board where employees can post about their hobbies or interests and find colleagues with similar passions. This gives them an easy, indirect way to start conversations around common ground.

4. Mood meter check-in

Start meetings with a quick “mood check” where everyone picks an emoji or word that best describes how they feel. It’s a simple way to encourage emotional awareness and empathy without requiring long sharing.

5. Lunch roulette

Invite employees to optionally join small, randomly assigned lunch groups. This relaxed, low-pressure setting encourages casual conversation and helps introverts comfortably build new connections.

Friendship as a strategic priority

Work friendships are not just feel-good extras. They are central to building an inclusive and productive workplace culture. As employers seek to retain talent and boost engagement, fostering authentic connections among colleagues can make a real difference.