Women are more likely to form close-knit friendship groups at work, a Durham University Business School study suggests.
The study found female employees are more likely to build friendships through existing social connections, creating larger workplace friendship networks.
These "friend of a friend" relationships are also more likely involve other women.
In contrast, men tend to develop more selective one-to-one friendships and are less likely to form relationships through mutual contacts.
Study tracks new employees
The research was led by Andrew Parker, Professor in Leadership, alongside colleagues from William & Mary's Raymond A. Mason School of Business in the United States and Università della Svizzera Italiana in Switzerland.
Researchers examined how workplace friendships develop differently among men and women by following almost 150 employees during their first ten months in an organisation.
Participants were surveyed on four occasions and asked about the friendships they had formed at work.
Different approaches to friendship
The findings suggest women are more likely to prioritise friendship itself when forming workplace relationships.
This results in stronger friendship groups and more interconnected social networks within organisations.
Men, meanwhile, appear more selective in the relationships they develop.
The researchers found male employees were more likely to form individual friendships with other men.
These relationships were particularly common when they were perceived to support personal or professional goals.
According to the research team, these differing approaches may influence the role friendships play within organisations.
Female friendship networks were found to contribute more to organisational stability, while male friendships appeared more focused on individual benefit.
Potential impact on workplace equality
The researchers suggest these patterns could have wider implications for workplace equality, including the gender pay gap.
They argue that women's friendship networks may provide fewer opportunities to access influential contacts, resources and career-enhancing connections.
In contrast, men's more strategic relationships may be more likely to generate professional advantages and preferential treatment.
Supporting better connections
The study highlights the importance of workplace friendships for employee wellbeing and organisational performance.
Previous research has linked close workplace relationships with higher levels of engagement, productivity and innovation.
The researchers say organisations should create more opportunities for staff to build connections across the workplace.
They believe broader networking opportunities could help employees develop friendships that provide both personal support and professional benefits.
