Prairie dogging is one of the favorite ways for cubicle-bound service reps socialize between calls. Just like prairie dogs, humans are very social animals. While some supervisors may frown on employees socializing over the fence, or visiting  with each other between calls, research has found that when employees are friendly with each other they feel less work-related stress. Supervisors play an important role in creating a supportive work environment.

Stressed-out workers create upset customers. Feeling supported in your work and having co-workers you can turn to on a bad day reduces stress. As any supervisor knows, when front-line employees can barely hold it together, they don’t have the emotional strength required to resist pushing back when a customer is venting their anger at them.                                                                                                                                                     

When co-workers are friends, they show they care about each other by listening. Your friend in the cubicle next door will listen to you complain about a cranky customer, struggles you are having with your teenager, and even listen to you prattle on about nothing in particular. While spouses and close friends out side of work can try to be sympathetic, the only people who really understand where you are coming from are the people you work with.

Be happy. This week do a little extra prairie doggin’.