Are Work Friendships Becoming a Thing of the Past?

Coworkers can feel like friends, but the nature of the relationship is often different from friendships outside of work. Sharing long hours, dealing with the same pressures, and working toward common goals can create strong bonds. It’s natural to chat about personal lives, support each other during tough times, and even socialise outside the office. However, the friendship is often shaped by the workplace environment. Factors like competition for promotions, office politics, or simply the fact that the relationship is built around work rather than shared personal interests can create limits. Some coworkers do become lifelong friends, but many workplace friendships fade once people change jobs. There’s also a professional boundary that can make it harder to be fully open or vulnerable with work friends. Trust is often built within the context of work tasks rather than deep personal connections. That doesn’t mean workplace friendships aren’t valuable — they can make jobs more enjoyable, reduce stress, and even improve teamwork. The key is understanding that not all coworkers are true friends, and that’s okay. It’s possible to have meaningful, supportive relationships at work without expecting them to function the same way as friendships outside the office.

The 7-year rule for friendships is an idea that suggests if a friendship lasts for seven years, it’s more likely to become a lifelong connection. While not based on formal scientific research, the concept reflects the belief that friendships surviving major life changes — such as career moves, relocations, or shifts in personal priorities — tend to have deeper foundations. The idea is that after seven years, you’ve likely experienced ups and downs together, learned how to navigate conflicts, and built a strong sense of trust and understanding. Friendships that don’t reach this point often fade because of changing circumstances, lack of effort, or simply growing apart. While the seven-year mark is a convenient symbol, the truth is that long-lasting friendships rely more on mutual effort, communication, and shared experiences than a specific timeframe. Some friendships can last decades without constant contact, while others might dissolve despite years of closeness. Ultimately, the 7-year rule is less about a strict deadline and more about highlighting that friendships capable of withstanding time and change have a stronger chance of enduring for life. It’s a reminder that lasting friendships need work, but the reward can be lifelong companionship.

Work friendships can last, but many don’t survive once people leave a company. These friendships often grow quickly because coworkers spend so much time together, sharing daily routines, pressures, and even personal milestones. The shared experience of navigating the same workplace challenges can create a strong sense of connection, but the relationship is usually tied to the job itself. Once one person moves on, the bond can weaken, especially if regular contact stops or new work environments create different priorities. However, some work friendships do last long after jobs change, especially if there’s a genuine connection beyond the workplace. Friendships built on shared values, common interests outside of work, and strong personal support are more likely to continue. The key difference is that true friendships rely on ongoing effort from both sides, not just proximity at work. Technology makes staying in touch easier, but the reality is that without regular interaction, many work friendships naturally fade. That doesn’t mean they weren’t valuable — even short-term work friendships can make jobs more enjoyable, offer important emotional support, and leave lasting positive memories. Whether they endure or not often depends on whether they were real friendships or just friendly working relationships.

A bad friend is someone who consistently shows a lack of care, respect, or support in the relationship. One clear sign is if they only reach out when they need something but disappear when you need help. They may dismiss your feelings, make fun of you in ways that feel cruel, or frequently break promises. Bad friends often show jealousy when good things happen for you, instead of celebrating your successes. They may also gossip about you behind your back or reveal things you shared in confidence. Another warning sign is if the friendship feels one-sided, with you always making the effort to keep in touch or organise plans. Bad friends can also be overly critical, putting you down instead of offering constructive feedback. In healthy friendships, both people feel valued, respected, and supported. With a bad friend, you might leave interactions feeling drained, anxious, or unsure of where you stand. Sometimes the signs are subtle, like constant competition or a refusal to apologise when they’ve hurt you. Ultimately, if someone regularly makes you feel worse about yourself or the friendship feels like work instead of a source of comfort, they may not be a good friend.