Is his preferring to work with non-Muslims regarded as taking them as close friends

Is his preferring to work with non-Muslims regarded as taking them as close friends?

Is working in a company that is owned by a kaafir regarded as taking the kuffaar as close friends?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Working for kaafirs and doing business with them is not
regarded as taking them as close friends, but the Muslim must be very
careful in choosing the right type of people, work and business. It is not
permissible for him to work with or deal in haraam things, and it is not
permissible for him to love those people in his heart, or to praise them in
absolute terms. He must also be honest and proficient in his work so as to
give a good example of Muslim morals and manners. 

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said: 

The kinds of friendship that are forbidden include supporting
them against Muslims, supporting them with words that justify their ways,
and feeling proud of their ways. All of these are forms of the friendship
with them that is forbidden and that leads to apostasy from Islam (Allaah
forbid). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And if any amongst you
takes them (as Awliyaa’ [friends and supporters]), then surely, he is one of
them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon
(polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)”

[al-Maa'idah 5:51] 

What is permitted to us is to deal with the kuffaar in ways
that are permissible. So we may engage in trade with them, import goods from
them, trade benefits with them, benefit from their experience, and bring in
those of them whom we employ to do different types of work such as
engineering and other kinds of permissible work. These are the limits within
which we are permitted to interact with them, but we must be cautious and
not give them any authority in the Muslim lands except within the limits of
their work. They should not have any authority over the Muslims or over any
Muslim, rather the Muslims should have authority over them. 

Al-Muntaqa min Fataawa al-Shaykh al-Fawzaan,
2/252 

Muslim bosses should fear Allaah with regard to their work
and their employees, and they should do work that is permissible. They
should give their employees and workers their rights in full, with nothing
lacking. They should not cause their workers and employees to leave them and
go work for kaafir employers instead. 

Many Muslims think that it is the salary and other benefits
that they get from the kaafir that is the motive for working for him,
because they think that they are getting what they are entitled to. But this
leads to bad consequences, such as praising those kuffaar and admiring their
attitude and way of doing business. This may lead to taking them as close
friends, which is a cause for fitnah (temptation and tribulation) for many
of them with regard to their religious commitment after that