Friends 'could up production'

EMPLOYEES could be more productive if they worked alongside friends, new research suggested.

A study found that people worked harder when next to friends who were more industrious than they were.

Professor Oriana Bandiera, from the London School of Economics, said: "Our research suggests that getting people to work with their friends could be one way for companies to motivate their workers without necessarily paying them more.

"However, this approach needs to be exercised with care since friends in the workplace can be a good or a bad influence."