Flexible hours and opportunities for growth may be valued in the job market, but as one study shows, they aren’t the secret for successful workplaces. Instead, it’s having good co-workers.

In a new survey of 2,000 employed Americans, the overwhelming majority – 84 percent of respondents – agreed that a job can’t be great without great colleagues.

Two-thirds (67 percent) have at least one co-worker they consider a close friend, and those who are friends with their fellow employees are twice as likely to look forward to going to work (86 percent vs. 40 percent).

Conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by Bowlero Corp, the survey looked at the variety of factors that contribute to workplace satisfaction – including the role co-workers play.

The results found that Americans consider their everyday interactions with colleagues to be the key to happiness in the workplace. To prove it, nearly 40 percent of respondents said they’d go as far as to take a pay cut to get the perfect work environment.

Co-workers and the office vibe are such an important part of the job that 41 percent have even left a job because they didn’t enjoy the workplace culture.

But the bond between colleagues goes beyond pleasantries exchanged by the watercooler (or by the coffee maker), as 73 percent of respondents say their job feels like a second home.

“Everyone wants to work at a place where they’ll grow, but surrounding yourself with great people can make that growth so much more rewarding,” said Bowlero Corp’s Chief Customer Officer Colie Edison.

The number one way employees have fun at work is talking with co-workers (57 percent) – and respondents spend over three hours during an average week joking and socializing with their work pals.

In addition to relationships with colleagues, respondents also said salary and benefits (56 percent), as well as flexibility (53 percent), made them happy at work.

Also increasing their job satisfaction was having a sense of purpose (45 percent) and potential for growth (44 percent).

“Service is everything in the hospitality business – which is why it’s so important to have a staff that enjoys its work,” continued Edison. “The company culture definitely revolves around fun, but beyond that, we offer our associates real opportunities to own and grow their careers.”

WHAT MAKES AMERICAN EMPLOYEES HAPPY AT WORK?
1. Salary/benefits                                                              56 percent
2. Co-workers                                                                   54 percent
3. Flexibility                                                                       53 percent
4. Sense of purpose                                                         45 percent
5. Growth potential                                                           44 percent
6. Learning opportunities                                                  39 percent
7. Office environment/culture                                            39 percent
8. Work tasks                                                                    38 percent
9. Work events/happy hours                                             38 percent
10. Interacting with clients/customers                               37 percent