There’s nothing quite as unique as relationships that are developed while at work. If you think about it, the people you work with are not much different than family. You spend just about, if not more time with them. You don’t get to choose your co-workers either. The only significant different is that you generally hold more personal feelings towards your family than you do your co-workers.

To add on to the idea of continually having to be around one another, there’s the financial factor as well. In order to move up, and become successful you have to compete, while working together at the same time. Given all of the different factors, it can be a stressful relationship.

So, what kind of different relationships evolve at work, and which ones are healthy to engage in?

The Good

Friendly Competition - There’s nothing wrong with competition, having a good rivalry at work can help bolster the quality of your own work. If you and someone else engage in the same kind of work, then keep up with what each other is doing. Provide constructive criticism, and keep knocking your brain around.

Of course, the keyword is ‘friendly’. Competition can be a tricky line to walk. Things can turn ugly quick, so always be sure and stay pleasant. Know how, and when to provide criticism to co-workers, and when to back off.

Beer After Work Relationship - Even in the work place setting, friendships are easily forge. When you’re around others enough, becoming friendly or doing things together just comes natural. Of course liking one another is the big step, but having a friend outside the office can greatly add to the co-worker experience.

If it’s someone you work with quite a bit, it can make working on projects that much more comfortable. Just like anything else, there needs to be balance. While being friends is great, you have to remember you’re co-workers first.

The Bad

Backstabber, and Mutaneer This is easily the worst kind of co-worker that you can come across in the workplace. There’s not much you can do to if a backstabber, or rumor starter decides to lay into. The only real way to keep from falling victim, is stay out of any situation or confrontation with them.

If for whatever reason you do have to work with them, then just keep it simple. Don’t reveal anything to them at all, other than what you need to get done for your work.

Work Stealer This co-worker can cause more damage than the Backstabber, but is generally easier to root out. If you are constantly working as group with others, is about the only situation you’ll see this arise. When it does happen, it can be a tricky situation to handle.

If someone does steal your work, i.e taking credit when talking to your boss, just be honest. First, approach the co-worker who’s taking credit for what the group, or you are doing. Sometimes, the person isn’t even doing it on purpose. If you find they are doing it on purpose, then talk with your boss.

The Ugly

The Office Fling/Relationship There really is only one ‘ugly’ co-worker relationship in the office. The reason being, is because getting involved with someone isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact it can lead to many good things, but it has just as much chance of turning ugly as well. So, what’s the best course of action when getting involved with someone from work?

First, keep it to yourself. No one needs to know anything about what’s going on with your relationship. Unless the company has a policy, then you have to disclose it to HR. As time goes by, everyone in the office will undoubtedly figured out what’s going on. It’s best to just let it happen naturally, and not make a huge spectacle out of it.

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