I think what they suggested is actually the reverse: coworkers becoming friends, not friends becoming coworkers. It makes sense in a way, when you spend 7+ hou

I think what they suggested is actually the reverse: coworkers becoming friends, not friends becoming coworkers. It makes sense in a way, when you spend 7+ hours a day with those people, you're bound to find some common interests that could bring you closer. What's hard is maintaining those friendships once they're no longer coworkers, as usually those "common interests" are mostly about the company's.