The Workplace’s Role in Tackling the Loneliness Epidemic
I have a best friend at work.
One of the most hotly debated and discussed questions on Gallup’s Q12 employee engagement survey, a fact that Gallup recognizes and notes on its website. It also notes why the question remains one of the 12 powerful predictors used globally to track employee engagement- it works to predict performance.
“More than any other Q12 statement, “I have a best friend at work” tends to generate questions and skepticism. But there is one stubborn fact: It predicts performance.
Early research on employee engagement and the Q12 elements revealed a unique social trend among employees on top-performing teams. When employees have a deep sense of affiliation with their team members, they take positive actions that benefit the business — actions they may not otherwise even consider.
Globally, three in 10 employees strongly agree that they have a best friend at work. By moving that ratio to six in 10, organizations could realize 28% fewer safety incidents, 5% higher customer engagement scores and 10% higher profit.”
Gallup provides us with a fantastic data-backed example, that we’ve recognized that work and relationships have been inextricably linked for decades. And even without the data, I’d say that work and relationships have always been linked.
For this reason, alarm bells sounded (or should have) for leaders earlier this year when U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy released his report on “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” The negative impacts of this epidemic have an impact on our work lives as well.
While it is easy to point to the restrictions and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic as a source for this challenge, the epidemic of loneliness predates Covid. Before the pandemic, about one-in-two US adults reported experiencing loneliness. Certainly, the pandemic exacerbated the issue, but it is not its lone cause.
As Dr. Murthy outlines in his report, the importance of connection in the workplace is significant. Ranging from increased job satisfaction, and better performance results, to better health outcomes leading to reduced absenteeism and healthcare costs.
How Can Workplaces Help Combat Loneliness in their Teams & Communities?
There are not a lot of places in our society today where most of us are still able to come together and solve problems and achieve goals across our differences. The workplace is one of those places and for that reason, I believe it is uniquely situated to make meaningful progress in tackling the loneliness epidemic.
Loneliness in the workplace isn’t based on how social your job is or isn’t, like loneliness in all facets of our life, it comes down to the quality of our connections. Someone could frequently interact with others but still feel lonely, and the reverse is also true. And given how long we each spend at work- spending all those hours feeling lonely is a health issue.
It’s also important to acknowledge, that creating friendships is not necessarily the only way to tackle loneliness there are many types of meaningful connections at work that may be short-term or long-lived. All support feelings of connection and help mitigate loneliness.
Tackling the loneliness epidemic through the workplace will require a multifaceted approach focused on creating a supportive and inclusive environment for employees. Here are some strategies that workplaces can implement to help combat loneliness and reap the rewards of meaningful connections:
Promote a Culture of Inclusivity: Foster a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. Encourage open communication, respect for different perspectives, and create an environment where all employees feel welcome and valued.
Encourage Social Interaction: Provide opportunities for employees to interact with one another beyond just work-related tasks. This could include team-building activities, social events, or even designated spaces for casual conversations. The key is to provide opportunities- not force interactions or friendships.
Facilitate Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Support the formation of ERGs based on common interests, backgrounds, or experiences. These groups can provide a sense of belonging and a platform for employees to connect with like-minded colleagues.
Implement Flexible Work Arrangements: Allow employees to have some flexibility in their work schedules or the option to work remotely. This allows for opportunities to support better work-life balance and prioritize relationships outside the workplace, as well as inside.
Provide Mental Health Support: Offer resources and programs that support mental health and well-being. This can include access to counseling services, stress management workshops, or mindfulness programs.
Encourage Employee Feedback and Input: Create avenues for employees to voice their concerns and suggestions. This can help identify areas where the workplace can improve in terms of social connection and support.
Promote Team Collaboration: Encourage collaborative work projects that require employees to work together towards a common goal. This can help build stronger bonds among team members.
Provide Opportunities Learning: Offer training and development programs that allow employees to learn and grow together. This not only enhances their professional skills but also provides opportunities for social interaction.
Recognize and Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate both individual and team achievements. This can create a positive and supportive work environment that fosters a sense of belonging.
Support Community Involvement: Encourage employees to get involved in community service or volunteer activities. This can provide a sense of purpose and connection outside the workplace that benefits your employees and community. A great way to do this is by volunteer activities arranged as a group or even just volunteer days of for your employees to use at their discretion.
Promote Work-Life Balance: Encourage employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Overworking can lead to isolation and burnout, so it’s important to support a healthy equilibrium.
Provide Spaces for Relaxation and Socializing: Designate areas in the workplace where employees can take breaks, relax, and socialize. Comfortable break rooms or common areas can facilitate casual interactions. These spaces can also be virtual, like zoom or slack channels.
Lead by Example: Leadership should set the tone by demonstrating inclusivity, open communication, and a genuine interest in the well-being of employees.
How Can You make the most Out of Workplace Connections?
Tackling loneliness is up to us all, so I wanted to share this great resource from the book “The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness” by Robert Waldinger, MD and Marc Schulz, PhD to help you reflect on your workplace connections how to make the most of them.
Tomorrow (or the next day you get up and go to work — physically or virtually), consider these questions:
Who are the people I most enjoy and value at work, and what is it about them that is valuable? Am I appreciating them?
Who is different from me in some way (who thinks differently, comes from a different background, has different expertise, etc.), and what can I learn from that person?
If I’m having a conflict with another worker, what can I do to alleviate it?
What kind of connections am I missing at work that I might want more of? Could I imagine a way to make these connections more likely, or richer?
Do I really know my coworkers? Is there someone I’d like to know better? How can I reach out to them? You might pick a person with whom you seem to have the least in common and make a point to be curious and ask about something they’ve displayed or shared at work.
Loneliness is so harmful to both our physical and mental health and its negative effects are creating harm to our society at large. But there is still hope to make meaningful changes for each of us and our communities to benefit from.
I challenge you to reach out to one person today that you miss or want to learn more about. To offer a simple smile or hello out in public. And of course, if you are so inclined, learn more about what you can do by reading the surgeon general’s full report here.