Work Today is Too Isolating
I have a niece who started a career job last summer after finishing her Masters‘ degree. She had many jobs through undergraduate and graduate studies, but this is her first full-time permanent job. She called me in October and said, “I figured out what I don’t like about my job. I’m always working alone. I have regularly scheduled remote calls with people and I have to be in the office two days per week. I was in the office today and never saw another person from my team.” This is an isolating way to work!
Numerous studies the past few years have shown that young people, in particular, want a sense of purpose and a sense of community at work. Smart employers figure out how to provide both and have higher levels of employee engagement to show for their efforts.
Loneliness in the workplace has become a significant concern for organizations, impacting employee well-being, productivity, and overall business performance. Financially, stress-related absenteeism attributed to loneliness costs U.S. employers an estimated $154 billion annually.
A recent study found that 69% of employees are unsatisfied with their social connections at work, highlighting the pervasiveness of this issue.
Several factors contribute to the rise of loneliness in the workplace:
Increased reliance on virtual communication and limited face-to-face interaction.
Role conflict and ambiguity.
Lack of opportunities for workplace friendships.
Lack of work structured to facilitate team interaction beyond simply being at remote meetings together.
Here are eight things organization leaders can do to take proactive steps to address loneliness and foster a more connected work environment:
Appoint a social chair with a dedicated budget to organize events.
Facilitate team-building activities and networking events.
Create structured social hours, even for remote workers.
Start meetings with brief personal check-ins when possible to recognize your employees’ life outside of work and build connections within teams.
Limit reliance on text-based communication.
Encourage face-to-face interactions when possible and create times when whole teams are together, including remote workers.
Implement "no phone" policies during meetings to promote genuine conversations.
Implement strategies to maintain connection and support for those working from home.
Conclusion
Addressing workplace loneliness is crucial for both employee well-being and organizational success. By implementing targeted strategies and fostering a culture of connection, companies can combat loneliness, improve employee satisfaction, and enhance overall performance. As the workplace continues to evolve, prioritizing social connections and emotional well-being will be essential for creating thriving, productive work environments.
Need assistance with creating stronger connections between your people? Reach out to us at laura@conoverconsulting.com. We have decades of experience developing the people and culture elements of workplaces.