Our professional relationships can be a blessing and a curse. "Coworkers shape so much of how we experience work—whether we feel supported, safe, and motivated, or stressed, isolated, and stuck," Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now—an online platform that provides useful tools and resources to job seekers—told Bored Panda.

"In our Career Gridlock Report, 60% of workers said they've stayed in a job longer than they wanted, often because of fears about change, but also because of dynamics that make them feel trapped."

Spencer said, "Toxic relationships at work, like being blamed for mistakes or left out of key information, can add to that sense of paralysis." Which is why it's so cool when there aren't any!

Of course, tension can arise even in healthy environments. "Sometimes it’s personality differences—but more often, it’s about stress, unclear communication, and a work culture that rewards individual wins over team health," Spencer said.

However, at a certain point, the negatives just begin to compound. "People may withhold information, shift blame, or even sabotage coworkers—26% admitted to blaming others for mistakes, according to our Dirty Moves Report. And when that kind of behavior becomes routine, frustration builds."

Keith Spencer of Resume Now also said, others might feel like they're contributing more to their team than their colleagues, which could create additional frustration.

"Our Time-Wasting Report showed that 53% of workers admit to posting on social media during work hours, and 58% waste at least 30–60 minutes a day on non-work activities. That imbalance—where some feel like they’re carrying more than others—can easily create resentment and erode trust."

To improve your relationships with colleagues, Spencer suggests starting with empathy.

"A little understanding goes a long way—especially when work is stressful. Open communication, giving credit where it’s due, and being transparent about what you need from others sets a better tone for collaboration," he explained.

"Our data suggests withholding information, blaming others, and even sabotage are more common than most people want to admit—so building strong relationships isn't just a nice-to-have, it’s protection. Invest in trust. It makes work smoother, safer, and a lot more enjoyable for everyone involved."