The $100,000 Friendship – Why Seeing a Work Friend is Worth More Than You Think
- Michael Wasick
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read

What would you rather have—an extra $100,000 a year, or a close friend at work? According to research, they might offer the same psychological benefits.
A study by BetterUp found that seeing a friend most days offers the same mental health benefits as a $100,000 salary increase. This is no small finding. It means the emotional payoff of connection at work rivals that of financial rewards—and it’s a benefit many companies are missing out on.
Why It Matters to Employees
46% of professionals say friendships are essential to workplace happiness.
58% say happiness is more important than salary.
Employees who feel connected to coworkers experience less stress and more resilience.
Why It Matters to Employers
A happier employee isn’t just a nice idea. Happy workers:
Have fewer sick days
Show up on time
Solve problems faster
Communicate more effectively
Stay longer at your company
The Wobali Approach
Wobali doesn’t just create events—we build connection. We survey your employees, discover common interests, and bring small groups together for things they already enjoy. From trivia nights to outdoor hikes or game nights, we make social connection seamless.
You save time. Your employees gain real friendships. And your business wins in every measurable way.
Final Thoughts
Forget ping-pong tables and kombucha on tap. Real workplace value lies in relationships. Wobali helps your team build them.
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Target Keywords: workplace happiness, employee engagement, workplace friendships, employee retention tools
Meta Description: Discover why workplace friendships are as valuable as a six-figure raise—and how Wobali makes it easy to build them.
Image ALT Text: Two coworkers laughing over coffee in a break room
Social Media Captions:
Want to give your team a $100K raise without touching payroll? Start with friendship. 💰 #Wobali #WorkplaceHappiness
BetterUp says seeing a work friend daily = $100K in happiness. Wobali makes that happen. 🚀 #EmployeeEngagement
Relationships are ROI. Build them with Wobali. ❤️ #RetentionStrategies #WorkFriendships