What is ‘Loneliness in the Workplace’?

Loneliness in the workplace is the feeling of isolation, disconnection, or lack of meaningful relationships at work; an uncomfortable and distressing state when your social needs aren’t met. A survey from BetterHelp revealed that 69% of employees are unsatisfied with their social connections at work, and 43% don’t feel a sense of connection with their colleagues. The cause is multi-pronged: working remotely and having no face-to-face interaction, a heavy workload leaving you no time to build relationships with peers, an organization structure which encourages competition over collaboration.

The Impact

Loneliness in the workplace has serious implications. For individuals, it can lead to decreased job satisfaction, reduced productivity, and mental health issues. For organizations, the effects are just as concerning. Lonely employees are often less engaged, which can lead to higher turnover rates, increased absenteeism, and lower overall performance.

A recent Forbes article contributed by Dr. Tracy Brower, who writes about happiness and the future of work, stressed that the lack of connection at work can lead to lack of motivation, disinterest in growing and learning, and a decline in performance. Dr. Brower emphasized that this can lead to a vicious cycle of feeling alone, which results in poor performance, which isolates you even more.

Addressing Workplace Loneliness

To combat workplace loneliness, organizations must take proactive measures to foster a sense of community and belonging:

• Create a Supportive Culture: Encourage regular social interactions, both in-person and virtually, to help build relationships and provide employees with the social support they need.
• Encourage Collaboration: Promote collaborative projects and cross-departmental initiatives that bring employees together. Providing opportunities for team members to work together on shared goals can help build meaningful connections.
• Promote Work-Life Balance: Encourage employees to take breaks, socialize, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Overworking can lead to isolation, so it’s important to support a culture that values personal time and well-being.

Loneliness in the workplace is a growing concern that demands attention. By understanding its causes and impact, and by taking deliberate steps to address it, organizations can create healthier, more connected work environments that benefit both employees and the organization as a whole.