1.3b: How a work relationship is different to personal relationship

Relationships are important in the efficient working of an organisation. Relationships are crucial in every types of organisation whether it is a caring institution or a manufacturing unit. Relationship plays a crucial role in enhancing the operational workflow and thereby contributes towards overall efficiency at the workplace. However there exist the concept of working relationship and personal relationship. Work relationship is different from personal relationship in a number of ways. It is important for a care worker to take into consideration the work relationship as well as personal relationship in order to ensure best delivery of care to the patient.

Difference between work relationship and personal relationship

The key difference between work relationship and personal relationship can be established from the environment in which such relationship takes place. As for example, the relationship that takes place within family members is considered as personal whereas the relationship that takes place between colleagues and boss and employees is considered as working relationship. A care worker can establish both the working relationship and personal relationship while providing care assistance to the patient. The working relationship can be in the form of collaboration with colleagues and managers to provide best delivery of care, whereas personal relationship can be in the form of informal interaction with patient or developing rapport with them while assisting them with their care support needs.

Another major crucial difference between work relationship and personal relationship is that there is no such compulsion for policies and procedures and code of conduct in case of personal relationship, whereas it is highly crucial in case of working relationship. A care worker is required to follow the organisation’s policies and procedure while assisting patient with the care services during their work relationship. In establishing personal relationship, a care worker can freely share information with the patient in order to make their experience better. Apart from having these differences, one thing that is common in case of both the work relationship and personal relationship is that both the relationship should be based on the principles of respect and politeness. A care worker is required to respect their managers and colleagues, and also the patient in order to establish a better relationship with everyone.

Work relationship and personal relationship in care setting

Work relationship in case of health care setting requires the care workers to remain professional with their colleagues. This principle of professionalism requires the care worker to respect and promote the rights of everyone they work with. They should treat their colleagues and managers with high respect, and maintain good relationship with the care seeker by ensuring due respect and maintaining confidentiality about client’s information.  In addition to this, care worker can strengthen the personal relationship in a care setting by following the principle of honesty, trust, respect and open communication with the patient whereby they can create an environment that allows free and informal sharing of information with the patient.