Originally published: The Straits Times, 20 October 2026
SINGAPORE – Eight years ago, Tiffany Ong did not expect that one of the best things she would take away from her internship would be a lifelong friendship.
Working for a small youth publication in 2018, Ong and her then colleague, Sherlyn, grew close while navigating work with a difficult co-worker, who made racist and sexist remarks and belittled other colleagues.
“I once even cried in the office after that co-worker called me stupid,” recalls Ong, 31, who now works full time in the education industry.
Sherlyn stood by her, lodging a complaint with their supervisor, which resulted in the offending co-worker being reprimanded.
While that co-worker has disappeared from Ong’s life, her friendship with Sherlyn remains strong. Almost a decade later, Ong will be a bridesmaid at Sherlyn’s wedding in December.
Ong’s story points to something many young Singaporeans recognise: Friends at work can be good for them.
In a survey commissioned by The Straits Times, 82% of respondents say workplace friendships benefit one’s career at least to some extent. Most add a caveat: 55% say such friendships help, but also carry risks, while 27% say they are generally beneficial. Only 13% feel they carry more risks than benefits.
Those who have a colleague turned close friend are more likely to see a clear upside. Among them, 31% say workplace friendships generally benefit one’s career, against 17% of those who have not made a close friend at work.
Conducted by independent research company Pureprofile in July, the survey polled 802 Singapore residents aged 20 to 34 with full-time, part-time or internship work experience to explore how young people here navigate work friendships and boundaries.
