Sanity Keepers: Benefits of Having a Best Friend at Work
Over the years, studies show the significance of having a best friend at work to boost employee productivity, satisfaction, and engagement. One of our values, Ubuntu, fosters collaboration and open communication at work and, in one way or another, allows us to find someone whom we can consider as our best friend at work and for some, best friend forever (BFF).
We searched for UnionBankers who have their own best friends at work and learned how these friendships developed and grew.
Source: Elite Daily
Michael Ross Espiritu
Michael Ross Espiritu, Acting Branch Manager of Bacoor Branch, shares about his 13 years of friendship with April and Bona.
“Having best friends at work brings out the best in us. It creates engagement that benefits teams and team building. We love coming to work every day, and since we are all in the same line of work, we can collaborate, learn together, and help one another.
We can also say that one of the reasons why we are still here in UnionBank for 14 years and counting is because of our friendship and the overall enjoyment of working with one another.
For us, happiness is having a best friend at work.”
Barkada Profile:
- Mike – Acting Branch Manager
- April – Branch Manager
- Bona – Sales and Service Officer
Share with us how you became friends at work.
Chance made us colleagues, but the fun we had made us friends. It all started way back in 2007 when we were all assigned at the Dasmariñas Cavite Branch (former IBank). April was transferred to Dasmariñas from the UN branch while Bona and I (Mike) were batch mates during the SSA certification.
How do you usually hang out with them before the pandemic?
When we were still under one branch, we went out every Friday night after work. Now that we are in different branches, we only meet during birthdays and Christmas or Year-end Dinner/Lunch, which is an annual tradition. Whenever we feel like we need to catch up, we always make time for one another.
How do you catch up now?
Via FB Messenger. We have our own GC together with our former UnionBank/IBank friends.
What's unique about your friendship? Anything you have in common?
We are different to realize our need of one another. Just like any other friendship, we talk about anything – work-related or not. We all love to eat. Chicharon bulaklak of my (Mike) mom, inihaw na liempo of April’s husband, and Bona’s tacos are some of them. We also love to drink coffee, frappe, milk tea, and beer. We love to travel too. We travel at least once a year. Lastly, our friendship is about two things: first, we appreciate our similarities and second, we respect our differences.
"Employee satisfaction is boosted up to 50% due to having close work friendships and people with a best friend at work are 7x more likely to engage fully in their work."
Rian Rose Monteverde
Rian Rose Monteverde shares her friendship story with teammates, a.k.a. Nora’s Angels, from Rada Branch, which started in 2013 through random dinner nights.
“Having best friends at work is one of the reasons why we are inspired to work. We know some people feel what you are going through and no longer need an explanation for them to understand.
Each of us reminds one another to be better and stronger amidst what is happening around us. We draw strength and inspiration from one another.”
Barkada Profile:
- Nora C. Esguerra – Sr. Branch Manager
- Rian Rose N. Monteverde – Branch Manager
- Mary Rose Basco – Branch Manager
- Maricar A. Tangcangco – Sales Service Officer
Share with us how you became friends at work.
We have random dinner nights after work when we are tired or feel like going out. We also have salu-salo lunch during OT on Saturdays and watch movies together when there is a good one. We went to Baguio as bonding for the branch.
How do you usually hang out with them before the pandemic?
Sometimes when one gets out ahead of time, we drop by to one of the branches just to say “Hi!” or have a chat while the others are still working. We also go to movie night outs at Greenbelt 3 and attend each other’s family events.
How do you catch up now?
Whenever a Facebook memory flashes, someone will send it to each of us, and then we start reminiscing the fun days that we had. Whenever someone calls up regarding work, it will lead to small to long chats of kumustahan.
What's unique about your friendship? Anything you have in common?
We are all dedicated to our work. We all have the values of working hard and being the best that we can. We also love joining UnionBank Tree Planting Events!
"For ages 18-24, having a work BFF improves their
happiness, motivation, and productivity."
Topher De Leon
Topher De Leon’s barkada was formed while collaborating at work, and after discovering the things they mutually enjoy like eating out, KTVs, random night outs, and traveling.
“Having best friends at work makes us look forward to a friendship that will last a lifetime. Having friends at work not only makes our days and weeks more enjoyable, our tasks and duties easier, but it also increases our engagement and productivity.
Our everyday bonding and chikahan are our daily dose of energy like coffee in the morning and vitamins for nourishment.”
Barkada Profile:
- Topher
- Mhariel
- Shayne
- Les
- Mico
- Mara
- Leo
- Alexa
Share with us how you became friends at work.
We became friends because of our common interests – eating, hanging out, KTV bars, and outings, but we built our friendship by helping one another survive everyday work. Originally, some of us belonged to different squads, but since friendships naturally develop, we became friends over lunch, and the rest is history.
How do you usually hang out with them before the pandemic?
We usually eat after work. We have once a month out-of-town trips and weekly KTV session. We usually stay overnight at different hotels in Ortigas to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, group meetings, and baby showers.
How do you catch up now?
Online chikahan and zoom bonding are the keys for a non-stop roller coaster ride full of emotions, smiles, giggles, and laughter. There is also continuous sharing of stories and funny experiences amidst the pandemic via FB Messenger.
What's unique about your friendship? Anything you have in common?
We always support each other. Even during this pandemic, we have never missed a chance to chat, celebrate birthdays, stand for each other, and love one another.
"54% of employers believe strong work relationships
improve company culture."
Carol Ignacio
Carol Ignacio considers Koni and Apol her best friends from different departments. While her teammates, her work family.
“Having best friends at work makes work happier and healthier. It makes you productive and motivated to work. You can ask each other easily about something that you can both relate with. You can talk not only about work-related things but different things as well.
You know you have someone whom you can trust.”
Barkada Profile:
- Carol and Koni – friends for 22 years
- Carol and Apol – call each other “The Past” and “The Future” and have been friends for 13 years
- Carol and TCOE – Carol treats her teammates like an extension of her family. Most of them started and trained for their roles at the same time in June 2019.
Share with us how you became friends at work.
Koni – When I became part of the Clearing Team in 1998, we usually had lunch and fishballs after work. At first, she was my “Ate Koni” at work. When she got married, she became my “Mami Koni”.
Apol – We usually have dinner together after office work on a regular shift or even after a nightshift.
My TCOE Family – We all came from different units bound together as one, as TCOE Family, last June 1, 2019. We usually have our lunch at the pantry, but if we have time, we go out and have ice cream after.
That’s how our friendships started.
How do you usually hang out with them before the pandemic?
Koni – I usually go to Koni’s floor so we could eat lunch together. If we have ample time, we go out for a quick lunch out and chat.
Apol – We hardly see each other after she was assigned to another branch, but we call each other a lot. If time permits, she comes to The Plaza so we could meet up and have dinner.
My TCOE Family – Our team usually eats breakfast together in our area. That was our morning bonding. We have food delivered for lunch and eat together at the pantry then have Korean ice cream afterwards.
How do you catch up now?
Koni – Koni and I usually catch up via Microsoft Teams or FB Messenger and kumustahan about work and families.
Apol – Apol and I usually have our late-night chats and kumustahan also with family.
My TCOE Family – We usually have our kumustahan over Microsoft Teams and Viber especially pag may need ng help – personal man yan or work-related. Our leaders see to it that we are safe and are doing well in our work-from-home.
What's unique about your friendship? Anything you have in common?
Koni – Koni is a part of my family already. She’s my friend, kumare, officemate, and mentor all rolled into one! If need niya akong bigyan ng advice or if need niya akong pagsabihan regarding sa work, she can deliver it professionally. We both love pizza and pasta! And in our 22 years of friendship, we never had tampuhan.
Apol – Apol is like a younger sister from another mom. I see my younger self in her and she sees her future self in me. We can talk about anything! We both love to dance and go to new places. We have movie bondings and try out new restaurants. Most of the time, she comes with us to our family outings.
My TCOE Family – Our team loves to eat together! Even in a short span of time, we clicked! We also see to it that we celebrate dates that are important to us at the office.
How important is it to have best friends at work?
Before the pandemic, the hours we spend in the office are as much, or even more than the hours we spend with our family and friends at home during weekdays. That draws us closer to the people we work with. We become friends with them in and out of the workplace. We even treat some like family.
Here are the benefits of having BFFs at work:
LOYALTY
Employees who look forward to work because of socialization and the sense of belongingness are less likely to search for other jobs. Having friends at work provides a sense of work-life balance that makes employees happier and more satisfied.
SELF-ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK
Having a best friend at work also means having a person to consult about your work output and request honest feedback. In a sense, there is someone to help you catch mistakes, see areas for improvement, and correct them early on.
ENGAGEMENT
Having someone to celebrate little wins is one of the perks of having a best friend at work. They are there too when clouds get dark. In times when we clear ourselves from negative emotions, there is someone to talk to, listen, and give us advice. This ensures our healthy disposition when things get tough at work.
Who are your best friends at work?
Head over to engaged@UnionBank and join our UB BFFs contest!