Hiring old friends turns into life lesson for senior manager. He now works overtime and on holidays

Bringing friends into a workplace can seem like a natural way to build trust and camaraderie, but it can quickly create unforeseen challenges. While personal bonds may make collaboration easier, they can also blur boundaries and complicate accountability, especially when expectations are misaligned. Managers often face the difficult task of balancing loyalty with professional responsibilities, a situation that can have consequences for both the team and the individual.

Unexpected Consequences

A senior professional recently shared his experience of hiring long-time friends after joining a new company. He hired his friends with attractive packages and minimal interview hurdles, hoping to recreate the fun and teamwork he had enjoyed before. Initially, the office atmosphere was lively, but the friends failed to meet performance expectations.

Instead of reducing his workload, he ended up doing their tasks, often working overtime and on holidays to prevent any issues from being noticed by management. His efforts to encourage skill development and higher productivity were largely ignored.

Professional Obligations Versus Personal Loyalty

The dilemma intensified because the manager was concerned about the personal circumstances of his friends. Many had families and financial obligations such as EMIs, which made the idea of termination feel harsh. Although he had the authority to take action, he hesitated, knowing that their limited skills might make it hard for them to find new roles.

Responses on Reddit reflected mixed opinions. Some users emphasised that hiring friends comes with risks, noting that playing “friendly games” at work often leads to challenges. Others suggested that clearer communication about responsibilities and expectations from the start could have mitigated misunderstandings.

Some offered strategies for managing underperforming friends, such as gradually increasing accountability or framing it as directives from higher management, while others advised maintaining strict boundaries between personal and professional relationships.

This case illustrates that while hiring friends can restore workplace enjoyment, it may also create complications if expectations are unclear.