Workers Want Work Friends More Than a Raise, KPMG Finds
Key Points
- A new KPMG study reveals a majority of professionals would accept a significant pay cut to work with close friends, placing a high value on workplace camaraderie.
- The findings coincide with a growing loneliness crisis, as nearly half of all employees report feeling isolated at work, a figure that has almost doubled since 2024.
- In response to isolation, 99% of professionals are interested in an AI chatbot as a work companion, though many fear such tools will create artificial bonds.
- Nine in ten workers consider a friendship-enabling culture a key factor for retention and recruitment, making it a strategic priority for companies.
A new KPMG study finds a majority of professionals would take a significant pay cut to work with close friends, placing a real financial premium on camaraderie in an increasingly lonely workplace.
A crisis of connection: That desire is running headfirst into a loneliness crisis, with nearly half of all employees now feeling isolated at work—a figure that has almost doubled since 2024. The problem hits remote employees and workers in the tech and media sectors the hardest.
The best bot: In a sci-fi twist, the full survey results show an overwhelming 99% of professionals are interested in an AI chatbot that could act as a work companion. Yet, that techno-optimism is paired with skepticism, as nearly half fear such tools will only create shallow, artificial bonds.
Friends as a feature: For companies, fostering friendships is now a strategic imperative. A staggering nine in ten workers consider a friendship-enabling culture a key factor for both retention and recruitment.
As KPMG’s U.S. Vice Chair of Talent and Culture, Sandy Torchia, noted, the data reveals a new reality where fostering deep professional relationships is essential for unlocking collective human potential and creating a healthy, engaged workforce.
While friendships carry a premium, it’s worth noting the same KPMG report found work-life balance still reigns as the top priority for employees. These findings come as the hiring market itself remains sluggish, with one report showing it takes over a month to fill most roles, and as hundreds of thousands of women have recently exited the workforce.
Related articles
TL;DR
- A new KPMG study reveals a majority of professionals would accept a significant pay cut to work with close friends, placing a high value on workplace camaraderie.
- The findings coincide with a growing loneliness crisis, as nearly half of all employees report feeling isolated at work, a figure that has almost doubled since 2024.
- In response to isolation, 99% of professionals are interested in an AI chatbot as a work companion, though many fear such tools will create artificial bonds.
- Nine in ten workers consider a friendship-enabling culture a key factor for retention and recruitment, making it a strategic priority for companies.
A new KPMG study finds a majority of professionals would take a significant pay cut to work with close friends, placing a real financial premium on camaraderie in an increasingly lonely workplace.
A crisis of connection: That desire is running headfirst into a loneliness crisis, with nearly half of all employees now feeling isolated at work—a figure that has almost doubled since 2024. The problem hits remote employees and workers in the tech and media sectors the hardest.
The best bot: In a sci-fi twist, the full survey results show an overwhelming 99% of professionals are interested in an AI chatbot that could act as a work companion. Yet, that techno-optimism is paired with skepticism, as nearly half fear such tools will only create shallow, artificial bonds.
Friends as a feature: For companies, fostering friendships is now a strategic imperative. A staggering nine in ten workers consider a friendship-enabling culture a key factor for both retention and recruitment.
As KPMG’s U.S. Vice Chair of Talent and Culture, Sandy Torchia, noted, the data reveals a new reality where fostering deep professional relationships is essential for unlocking collective human potential and creating a healthy, engaged workforce.
While friendships carry a premium, it’s worth noting the same KPMG report found work-life balance still reigns as the top priority for employees. These findings come as the hiring market itself remains sluggish, with one report showing it takes over a month to fill most roles, and as hundreds of thousands of women have recently exited the workforce.