Loneliness at work has become a growing crisis. As people juggle remote, hybrid and in-person setups, feelings of isolation can creep in — even in busy environments. Creating meaningful connections in the workplace is key to fostering belonging and supporting both individuals and teams.
Loneliness in the world — and the workplace — isn’t a new issue. So when the Harvard Business Review (HBR) made it the topic of a recent cover story, it made me wonder why we aren’t making better progress. Should we be thinking differently about existing solutions or exploring new ones entirely?
Of course, loneliness isn’t the same thing as being or feeling alone. I don’t know about you, but as a busy working parent, I sometimes crave “alone time,” which is often in short supply.
Feelings of loneliness are a different issue altogether. Humans are naturally social creatures, and feeling loneliness over long periods can damage our well-being. It’s for that reason we should all pay attention to what could be the next global pandemic: loneliness.
A worldwide phenomenon with huge financial costs
I’m not the only one sounding the alarm about the consequences of loneliness. Both the U.S. Surgeon General and the World Health Organization have spoken out about loneliness as a public health issue with substantial mental, physical and economic costs. Loneliness affects people around the world. Remote workers are disproportionately affected — 25% report feeling lonely compared to 16% fully onsite and 21% for hybrid workers, according to Gallup.
More than 1 in 5 people worldwide report feeling lonely — especially those under 35. (Gallup)
The economic and health implications are staggering. HR leaders are likely familiar with stats like lonely workers miss five extra days per year due to stress-related absenteeism and are twice as likely to consider quitting their jobs. According to Cigna, the economic toll of stress-related absenteeism due to loneliness in U.S. workplaces reaches around $154 billion annually, highlighting both the personal and organizational costs.
Related: 5 strategies to curb employee stress and burnout
Remote work and the isolation paradox
Let’s be clear, 2020 wasn’t the year that loneliness at work began. However, it exacerbated and accelerated it, along with many other workplace challenges — the consequences of which we are all living with today. Further complicating matters, loneliness and lack of connection and belonging are not solved simply by being around other people. In other words, the cry of “everyone back to the office” isn’t a panacea.
RTO mandates may put people in the same room, but they may have no effect on loneliness.
In-person work might seem like strong medicine for loneliness, but we can all probably relate to that sense of being surrounded by people, yet still feeling acutely lonely. Despite Gallup reporting that loneliness affects a high percentage of fully remote workers, our sense of being part of a community or feeling connected to something bigger is about much more than where someone works.
Related: Benefits of remote working and working from home
Connectedness as a cure
Combatting loneliness takes more than bringing people together in person. Organizations need to cultivate connectedness — and that’s something we probably haven’t been focusing on enough.
Connectedness is the sense of belonging and shared purpose that helps individuals feel valued and engaged within their workplace.
A recent BetterUp blog highlighted the “connection crisis” in the workplace. It notes that while everyone has a unique need and appetite for social connection at work, half of employees surveyed want their employers to foster social connection.
More than 40% of employees say their organization isn’t doing enough to help them feel connected at work.
As the HBR article noted, loneliness is a personal problem, not an organizational problem. There is an intrinsic and an extrinsic aspect to loneliness. At the organizational level, we have to work on what we can influence to improve people’s sense of connectedness and belonging.
The body of research is overwhelming. If we want to impact employee well-being, retention, performance and more, then a big part of the solution is finding ways to strengthen connectedness.
Related: How to implement an employee wellness program
What are the solutions?
Complex problems require an array of solutions. It starts with taking stock of how your employees feel on the job, then taking steps to strengthen their connection to the company and their colleagues. Here are my top three recommended solutions to cultivate belonging and reduce loneliness among your employees.
Build a culture of recognition
Done well and done consistently, appreciation and recognition help build and strengthen connections, enhance our sense of community, and infuse work cultures with a stronger sense of inclusion and well-being. Everything from simple gestures of thanks to formal recognition programs can make an impact.
Establish strong onboarding programs
Effective onboarding programs can accelerate building community and connectedness for new hires. HR professionals have to find extra ways to help newcomers feel welcome and help them build relationships across the organization — especially those who work remotely. And we should be intentional about the purpose behind in-person interactions so that we make the most of our time in the office or during other team meet-ups.
Provide the right workplace tech
The right workplace tech makes connection easier and communication more impactful. Technology can play a powerful role in facilitating personalized experiences that alleviate isolation and connect people to the company, their work communities and each other.
By using technology to enhance human connection in the workplace, we can build stronger teams and create spaces — both virtual and physical — where individuals feel seen, valued and supported. As we break through the barriers to connection, we can restore a sense of belonging — proving that no one should have to face the workday, or life, feeling alone.
Want to know how technology can help connect employees and boost productivity? Request a demo to learn about Simpplr’s employee experience platform.
