A new survey has looked into the importance of workplace friendships.

Lisa Holt, managing director of CPL Recruitment, says: "The power of strong bonds in the workplace can be underestimated."

"To be trusted by and to trust a colleague is invaluable, and I think employers like to see their team members working together and enjoying each other's company."

Pat Fitzpatrick, journalist with the Sunday Independent, now works from home but started to notice colleagues' interactions changing prior to leaving an office environment.

"I noticed that at lunchtime people were starting to browse the internet. When there was nothing else to do it was much easier to be friendly with people, but you go into offices now and you can see that people are glued to their screens during their downtime."

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