# The Culture of Work Friends By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2023-06-12 Some people believe their coworkers are their friends and family. Some of them are, but most of them are not. They publicly share information irrelevant to work via company-wide emails and message boards. Interestingly enough, this happens even more as companies go remote. Before going remote, communicating the status of their latest hike or their daughter's school fundraiser was limited to the team's break area. Now these status updates and feelings are shared with everyone. Some of this behavior is attributable to social media, where people do much of the same thing. However, people on social media can get an account, manage their notifications, and block people. Within the workplace, you have no such options. If you like reading these posts and messages, you'll have a great time at work. You might dislike these messages if you want to separate work from your personal life. There are many interesting dynamics to unpack here. On the one hand, this behavior promotes solidarity and embracing our humanity outside of work. It could be an essential feature in finding better ways to work. On the other hand, these frequent and "pointless" distractions make it harder to achieve the 15-hour work week. Both options seem reasonable to me. Some people will sign up for the 40-hour workweek to chit-chat and engage with coworkers. Other people will sign up for the 15-hour workweek and engage with others outside of work with their remaining 25 hours. The problem is we essentially don't have the option to select the 15-hour workweek without being considered an asshole. Why aren't you participating in all of these company chats and social committees? I pick my family and friends very carefully. In today's modern work culture, I'm not interested in surrounding myself with mercenaries where our only connection is who is paying us. I still value and respect your humanity, will build a relationship with you, and will act in solidarity, but who you surround yourself with is important. Today, work is hardly a reason to be friends with anyone - no matter what HR and the organizational gurus say. I can have a great relationship with you and not be your friend, and friendship or being a family member has no impact on the quality of my work. #### Related Items [[Friends]] [[Family]] [[Work]] [[Culture]] [[Society]] [[Solidarity]] [[Time]] [[Remote Work as the 15-Hour Work Week Tipping Point]] [[Remote Work]]