Work friends may motivate people to return to the office

Working from home allows for the flexibility and work-life balance that many modern employees require in order to feel content in their jobs. Therefore, being asked to return to the office can be a very tough sell. But a new report found one factor to be majorly motivating when it comes to in-office work. And, surprisingly, it doesn’t have to do with benefits, pay, or even flexibility.

It’s having a work bestie.

A newly released report from ezCater surveyed 1,000 U.S. employees who work in an office setting and remotely. It found that 80% of employees feel more engaged at work when they have friends at the office.

According to experts, gabbing it up at the office isn’t only good for mental health and longevity, but it’s also good for cognitive function, meaning it’s tougher for workers to mentally check out. “Social activities cause us to use our brains more than almost any other activity,” Dr. Andrew Budson, a neurologist and chief of cognitive and behavioral neurology at VA Boston Healthcare System, says per Harvard Health.

In recent years, the ability to work remotely has become the most desirable perk of a job, with some reports finding it to be even more important than income, despite the fact that it can be isolating. However, according to the report, remote work hampers employees’ ability to build relationships. Only 43% of remote employees reported having close work friends, while 69% of office and hybrid workers did.

With a loneliness epidemic in full bloom, more workers may now crave socialization. That’s especially true for the youngest workers: 85% of Gen Z respondents said having a work bestie would make them more engaged.

Gen Z also expects socialization to be ingrained in their workplace culture. More than half (56%) expect their company to help foster that socialization by creating a sense of community at work.

Robert Kaskel, VP of people at ezCater, said in a press release that companies should pay attention to the need for socialization—especially when it comes to Gen Z. “Employees with friends at work are considerably more engaged, so it’s in companies’ best interest to create an environment that fosters socialization.”