According to new research from people2people Recruitment. The survey found 70% of respondents avoid being friends with their boss with only 20% reporting a friendly relationship.
As an EA, this possibly feels like a familiar challenge – your role requires closer collaboration with executives than most employees experience but maintaining professional boundaries remains crucial.
The research revealed generational differences, with baby boomers most likely to befriend their boss (26%) while younger workers favour friendships with colleagues over managers. When it comes to fairness, 40% believed friendships with bosses could lead to bias but 52% said it depends on the individual manager.
Leanne Lazarus at people2people Recruitment commented: “Managers occupy a unique role. They’re expected to lead, support their teams and remain impartial. But they can lack peers within the workplace to share challenges or gain support themselves. It’s crucial for organisations to ensure that managers have their own support systems, whether through peer networks, mentoring or leadership development initiatives.” She adds that perceptions of fairness are central to team morale: “Managers must ensure their relationships don’t impact decision-making through clear communication and transparency.”
For EAs navigating this dynamic, Leanne offers some tips:
- Set boundaries: Clearly define when and where personal interactions are appropriate. For instance, avoid discussing personal matters during critical meetings or work hours. Use informal settings, such as team lunches or after work gatherings, to engage
- Stay fair: Develop and follow objective criteria for work-related decisions, such as promotions, project assignments or feedback. Document key decisions to ensure accountability and
- Value transparency: Be clear about your expectations regarding professional For example, managers could communicate how they will handle personal relationships to
- ensure fairness in the And employees can discuss how to navigate a friendship with a boss without blurring professional lines.