Studies have shown that friendships in the workplace can boost job satisfaction and productivity. Keep in mind the following advice when cultivating and interacting with workplace friends.

1. Making friends—whether it’s inside or outside the workplace—requires effort. Go out of your way to greet coworkers, celebrate their accomplishments, and invite them to lunch.
2. Maintain your professionalism at work, even when communicating with friends.
3. Don’t gossip about friends or other coworkers at work and avoid behaviors that exclude others.
4. Friendships won’t happen naturally with everyone at work, but every colleague deserves kindness and respect. 
5. If you run into problems with a friend at work, try to address them in an upfront and mature manner; don’t ignore and blame the friend.

For more advice, read “Workplace Besties: How to Build Relationships at Work While Staying Professional.”