Word Wiz: Frolleagues

As workers return to the office, the amount of time individuals spend with frolleagues—a portmanteau of the words friends and colleagues—is increasing. The term describes the relationship co-workers build with one another that exceeds traditional workplace interactions. Ignoring traditional business culture that emphasizes separation between personal and professional lives, frolleagues offer emotional and strategic support. They serve as a sounding board and a source of empathy and enable their counterparts to have greater resiliency.

Forming close bonds at work can make workers happier and more productive. According to a 2024 KPMG Corporate Communications study, which surveyed 1,000 full-time employees, individuals who develop deep connections at work feel greater engagement, satisfaction, and connection with their employer. Eighty-one percent of respondents say work friends are highly important and 78 percent say they provide positive mental health benefits.