Implications of remote work for co-operative education students' workplace friendships

Workplace friendships have been linked to important employment outcomes. With the rise in remote work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences, there is concern about the implications of work mode for students' workplace relationships. Using a survey of co-operative education students, this study explored differences in the development of workplace friendships between work modes and the consequences of those friendships. Results suggest that students are more likely to develop friendships when they work in-person rather than remotely. Informal socialization occurred less in remote work, which partially explained why remote workers reported fewer friendships. Workplace friendships with organization members-but not fellow students-were positively associated with job satisfaction, career development, organizational commitment, and conversion intention. These findings indicate that remote work has implications for friendship development and the quality of a WIL experience. WIL stakeholders offering remote work should consider informal socialization opportunities to strengthen workplace friendships and improve the quality of WIL experiences.