A manager at a mental health system employer once said for peer staff to "always err on the side of friendly." Bending rules of the hierarchy in advocacy, stepping through boundaries and trying to make friends with colleagues, or socializing with somebody's client can be professional and wanted. A friendly explanation in volunteering information can be penalized legally. Too often the inadequacy of an employer's rating method results in "bite them in the ass" performance reviews which highlight what was spoken too much over work accomplished.
