Loneliness at work: A growing issue leaders need to address

Loneliness at work: A growing issue leaders need to address

Author: Mpho Mdlongwa

Loneliness is becoming a hot topic in today’s workplace. It’s surprising, but about 20% of workers around the world are dealing with loneliness. Interestingly, older employees (over 35) seem to feel it a bit less (19%) than their younger counterparts (22%) (Gallup, 2024). 

So, what exactly is loneliness in the workplace?  

It’s that nagging feeling of being disconnected, like your social and emotional needs aren’t really being met. This isn’t the same as isolation, which is more about not having access to opportunities or resources. Loneliness is more about the emotional side of things—feeling like you don’t belong or aren’t connecting with others. 

Although loneliness appears to be an issue for employees who go into the office (16%), it’s unsurprising even more common among remote workers, with 25% feeling lonely. With virtual and hybrid work here to stay, leaders need to take this issue seriously. After all, loneliness can hurt employee performance, morale, and even health. 

So, what can leaders do to fight loneliness in their teams?  

First, they need to be able to spot the signs, which might include: 

• Less engagement: Employees might seem less interested or involved. 

• Absenteeism: More frequent or unexplained absences. 

• Deviant behaviour: Things like working slower than usual or skipping meetings. 

• Anxiety or distrust: Employees might seem more on edge or less trusting. 

But recognising loneliness isn’t enough. Leaders need to take action with practical solutions that can make a real difference. Here are a few ideas: 

1. Build strong social connections: Encourage team members to get to know each other beyond work tasks. Setting up virtual chat rooms or hosting casual events like picnics can help. 

2. Promote open communication: Regular check-ins and feedback sessions keep everyone connected. 

3. Create a supportive work environment: Foster a culture where colleagues support each other and use positive, encouraging language. 

In the end, it’s up to leaders—especially those leading virtual teams—to tackle loneliness head-on. Ignoring it can drag down team productivity and morale, so it’s worth investing the time and effort to create a more connected and engaged team. 

Reference 

Gallup. (2024). State of the global workplace: The voice of the world’s employees. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx