Work friendships can be important. You may eat together, laugh on good days, and boost each other’s spirits on bad days. Then, one day, your best friend at work decides it’s time to move on. Where do you go from here? We have a few tips to help you cope.
Give Yourself Time to Adjust
You’re sad, and that’s understandable. Depending on work hours, we often spend more time with co-workers than we do with family members. There is no shame in saying you’re going to miss someone. This is a loss for the workplace, but it’s also a loss for you, personally.
Any loss can come with some degree of grief, and this situation is no exception. When you’re used to seeing your friend at work every day, you have to go through a period of adjustment as you get used to their absence. Keep in mind that daily business operations still need to go on, so remember to stay professional and not let yourself spend the next few days moping.
Build New Relationships
Over time, you’ll find the silver lining: getting to know your other co-workers. Maybe you have lunch with someone, strike up a conversation while you’re working on solving a problem, or bump into each other at the end of the day. Before you know it, you’ve made a new friend.
Why is this important? It’s nice to have someone to chat with over a meal, and a smile from a friend can help a rough day seem a little brighter, but there’s more to it. Those who have strong work relationships are more engaged, produce higher-quality work, and have a higher state of well being. Work friends can make work better, and that’s important.
Focus on Growth
In the middle of all this change, there may also be change as far as everyone’s duties. That can be a good thing: this is a great time to showcase yourself and provide leadership, direction, and support for the people around you. This can be another silver lining because it’s an opportunity for you to show how valuable you are — and how you can lead.
You may be tempted to ask your friend who’s leaving to speak up on your behalf, but that can be risky. Assess the situation objectively, and only ask the person vacating the job to put in a good word for you if they are leaving the company on good terms; otherwise, that person could harm your chances.
We’re Here Whenever You Need Us
At 365 Healthcare Staffing Services, we specialize in the recruitment and placement of healthcare professionals in per diem, travel, and permanent assignments in healthcare facilities across the country. It can be tough when a co-worker quits, but it’s even tougher when that co-worker is a friend. We get it. When you’re ready for your next assignment, we’ll be here to help; give us a call at 310.436.3650.
