The development of friendships in the workplace improves productivity and morale, research suggests.

According to a study of 1,000 adults by Chiumento, a human resource consultancy firm, around 75 per cent of the UK's employees are more committed to their employers and are more motivated to get out of bed in the morning if they know they will see a friendly face or two at work.

The greater levels of happiness and contentment experienced by the individual, the greater the willingness to work productively for the benefit of the business, reports bCentral

"Simple ways to boost happiness include treating staff fairly, ensuring communication is good and fostering a positive atmosphere in the workplace," said Sarah Chiumento, chief executive of the consultancy firm.

Chiumento is a "multi-disciplinary" human resources consultancy firm, offering services tailored specifically to the needs of the individual enterprise in areas such as talent management, career transition and outplacement.