Hey there, Lauren here! Just wanted to quickly pop in with a little update about Working On It. First off, I have to say a massive thank you to every single one of you who’s been listening, rating, and sharing the podcast. Honestly, when Molly and I initially began this project, we took a significant risk. We weren’t sure if anyone would actually want to hear our thoughts on navigating the modern workplace. But wow—your response has been absolutely incredible, and it’s been such a joy creating every single episode for you.

We're taking a short winter break, but don't worry—we'll return in January with fresh, exciting content. In the meantime, it’s the perfect chance to catch up on any episodes you might’ve missed or even revisit your favourites. And hey, we’d love to hear from you! Head over to our Instagram or website and let us know which episodes have resonated with you the most.

If you're enjoying the show, we would greatly appreciate it if you could leave a rating or review wherever you listen to your podcasts. It really helps more people discover us and join this amazing community of listeners who are all figuring out work life together.

So, here’s to a wonderful break—get plenty of rest, maybe pop some champagne, and we’ll see you in January! In the meantime, you can keep up with what Molly and I are up to over on LinkedIn. I’m Lauren Spearman, and you can find Molly at Molly Johnson-Jones.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and see you next year! 🎄✨

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Copyright 2025 Fairey Tale Productions

Hey there, everyone! Welcome back to another episode of "Working On It," the podcast where we unpack the real-life complexities of today's working world. I'm Lauren Spearman, your advocate for salary transparency, here with my fantastic co-host, Molly Johnson-Jones, the mastermind behind Flexa Careers.

Today, we’re diving into a topic that's super relatable for most of us: workplace friendships. We’re talking about those amazing yet sometimes complicated connections we form with our colleagues. On the one hand, having friends at work can make your job a lot more enjoyable and even help you advance in your career. On the other hand, it can get a bit tricky when it comes to maintaining boundaries, dealing with promotions, and keeping things professional—especially if you end up managing your friends or connecting with your boss on social media.

We're going to break it all down for you. From the benefits of sharing salary info with a trusted colleague to the perils of workplace fallouts when competition and promotions come into play. We’ve got some eye-opening statistics lined up, along with personal stories that both Molly and I have experienced in our careers that highlight just how impactful workplace friendships can be.

You'll also hear about my own journey navigating work friendships as a freelancer, balancing professionalism with genuine connections. Plus, Molly will share her insights on maintaining boundaries, especially when you're the boss or managing a close friend.

So, if you’ve ever struggled with where to draw the line, felt the sting of a work friendship gone sour, or wondered how to maintain these valuable connections without compromising your professional integrity, stick around. This episode is packed with tips and advice to help you make the most out of your workplace friendships while keeping things smooth and professional.

Let's dive straight into exploring the fascinating realm of professional friendships!

00:00 Work buddies make work awesome and bearable.

06:26 Our friendship grew online to offline through the podcast.

09:17 Navigating work friendships requires balance and awareness.

10:03 Regret losing a work friend over competition.

14:53 Company vibes really influence how open you are.

18:14 Fear of leaving strong work friendships.

21:50 Old WhatsApp group full of cherished memories.

24:00 Made great friends from work connections, surprisingly!

27:40 Respect is key when managing friends.

31:56 Became close friends in a hectic workplace.

32:53 Work friendships are cool; find your balance.

36:02 Keeping standards is tough; don't play favourites.

39:22 Balancing work friendships beyond just colleagues.

42:28 Office romance: can be good, just navigate carefully.

Lauren Spearman brings a wealth of experience from her career in advertising, social media, and brand strategy to her current role advocating for salary transparency and flexible working conditions. Her journey, marked by her advocacy on TikTok against unfair hiring practices, has made her a champion for creating better work environments. Lauren’s unique perspective as a freelancer, balancing work with personal commitments, adds a rich, authentic layer to every discussion.

https://www.tiktok.com/@spearmanlauren

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenspearman/

Molly Johnson-Jones, at the helm of Flexa Careers, is transforming how companies and individuals approach flexible working. With a platform that empowers millions to find roles that fit their desired working environments, Molly’s insights on the future of work, DEI, and employer branding are indispensable for anyone...

Welcome back to "Working On It," the podcast where we delve into the complexities of today's workplace. I'm Lauren Spearman, your brand consultant and advocate for salary transparency, and joining me as always is the awesome Molly Johnson-Jones, CEO and co-founder of Flexa.

Today we're getting into a hot topic that's been buzzing everywhere—"quiet quitting." It’s that whole vibe where you’re mentally checked out at work, doing just enough to get by without actually being engaged or aiming for that next promotion. Sound familiar?

We’re diving deep into why this happens—think lack of career growth, feeling unappreciated, and not seeing the rewards for your hard work. Molly’s got a personal story about how she quietly quit when she got stuck in a role without the promised promotion, and I’ll share how I avoided it by proactively shaking things up for myself.

Plus, we’ve got a tonne of practical tips to help both employees and managers turn that disengagement around. Whether it's through open communication, flexible work schedules, or even just more regular one-on-one meetings, there are so many ways to keep the passion alive at work. Oh, and wait till you hear about the "region beta paradox"—it’s that weird thing where people stick with mildly crappy situations because the unknown feels scarier.

So if you’ve ever felt stuck at work or you're a manager looking to boost team morale, this episode is for you. We’ve got real-life stories, expert insights, and actionable steps to help you move from quiet quitting to being totally engaged and excited about work again.

Settle in, grab your coffee, and let's get started on "Working On It!"

00:00 Quiet quitting because they blocked my promotion.

04:48 Did the bare minimum, then quit; no shock.

07:41 Companies often find it tough to keep employees happy and engaged.

11:07 Proposed a creative role, they approved it!

15:22 Structured catch-ups help spot and solve issues early.

18:34 When someone checks out, it's tough; they should go.

22:15 Loved the job, but hated the new task.

25:41 Boosting engagement with flexible work-life options.

28:23 Think about why promotion plans don't motivate you.

31:37 Working through tough times can really boost both job satisfaction and relationships.

Lauren Spearman brings a wealth of experience from her career in advertising, social media, and brand strategy to her current role advocating for salary transparency and flexible working conditions. Her journey, marked by her advocacy on TikTok against unfair hiring practices, has made her a champion for creating better work environments. Lauren’s unique perspective as a freelancer, balancing work with personal commitments, adds a rich, authentic layer to every discussion.

https://www.tiktok.com/@spearmanlauren

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenspearman/

Molly Johnson-Jones, at the helm of Flexa Careers, is transforming how companies and individuals approach flexible working. With a platform that empowers millions to find roles that fit their desired working environments, Molly’s insights on the future of work, DEI, and employer branding are indispensable for anyone looking to navigate or shape the modern workplace. Her frequent speaking engagements on these topics bring cutting-edge perspectives and actionable advice to the podcast.

https://www.tiktok.com/@mollyjohnsonjones

https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-johnson-jones/

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