Is sex and joint work assignments the only way to maintain decent relationship between servants? And is there a way to raise them from "bitter" to "friendly" other than via sex? (Sending people to work together doesn't help much, they just keep arguing).
Also, is this a bug or a feature? The 3 people resting in the master's bed are constantly bickering (even if before getting there they were on good terms) and as a result their stress skyrockets as long as they sleep in the same bed.
This is a good question!
I don't know if interactions between specific slaves is controllable. I've been able to get them all to be neutral, friendly or affectionate with each other, though. That I'm guessing should mostly be credited to assigning an appropriate Headgirl (headperson). It's a job that's only available to slaves of Rich level or above, and only available after you own 8 or more slaves. The appropriate "Headgirl Setting" in "Mansion Settings" should be used. I used a slave with max charm and the Patronage setting.
I'm sure it also helps if your communal space isn't overcrowded and there are sufficient luxuries for all, but that too is speculation.
I had Maple, Ayneris and Zoe assigned as Headgirl at different times with maximum charm, and "patronage" is my setting in every save, yet it doesn't seem to affect anything. I've always assumed patronage is used for lowering fear and stress faster... probably. But I haven't noticed any difference in frequency of quarrels as occurence with or without a Headgirl, it seems to be entirely random for "neutral" (as to who will be arguing with whom) and a bit more often for pairs with "aloof" relationship and worse. I check by reloading - slaves who don't have an opinion ebout each other vary, but those who already dislike one another usually keep quarelling between loads.
But that situation with my favourites hating each other is most frustrating and I'd rather not have them getting "Fickle" trait, so sex as a mediator is not an option(
