Whether employees are working from home, returning to the office, or finding themselves in a modern hybridization of the two, today’s rapidly evolving work environment has seen loneliness emerge as a significant concern. According to Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace Report, one in five employees around the world feels lonely at work. Though it is often seen as a personal issue related to social connections outside of work, loneliness in the workplace can have profound effects on employee well-being, productivity, absenteeism, overall job satisfaction, and turnover. Furthermore, workplace loneliness is closely linked to increased stress, anxiety, and depression.
Addressing this complex issue requires commitment and deliberate action from employers. When it comes to providing effective wellness programming, most employers are concerned with identifying and choosing the best options that address employees’ needs while staying within the company’s budget. So, what can employers do to reduce loneliness and build a more connected, engaged, and productive workforce? Counslr explores various approaches with Chris Timol, President and COO of PuzzleHR, a Counslr partner and leading provider of HR Solutions as a Service (HRaaS).
Fostering a Sense of Belonging
Creating a culture in which every employee feels valued and included is key to combating loneliness; employees are more likely to thrive both personally and professionally when they feel this way. Yet, “Only 17% of adults say that they feel a high sense of belonging and social connection in their workplaces,” Timol notes.
Employers can foster a sense of belonging through inclusion initiatives and open communication. “Providing employees an opportunity to engage with one another on a personal level can help lessen some of the loneliness many people are feeling,” Timol states. “Team outings, volunteer projects, holiday parties, and even online gatherings demonstrate a commitment to employee wellbeing, boosting collaboration and motivation.” Meaningful and enjoyable social opportunities outside of work, such as attending sporting events, hosting virtual happy hours, or volunteering for a good cause together can help employees form deeper relationships with colleagues and feel part of a community, irrespective of where they’re located.
Encouraging Work-Life Balance
Workplace loneliness can also stem from feeling disconnected due to an overwhelming workload. Promoting a healthy work-life balance can mitigate these challenges, though the arrangements may look different depending on the work setting. Timol clarifies, “Fully remote work and custom hours may not work for all companies. For some organizations, being remote increases employee stress; for others, remote work boosts engagement.” He continues, “Certain jobs can become frustrating when employee schedules differ vastly, but many companies run seamlessly with employees spread across time zones or even countries.” As such, Timol emphasizes the importance of listening to your employees: “This is where leaders need to tap into their best resource—their employees—and find out what works for them.”
Ultimately, Timol affirms that flexibility goes a long way and leads to success. “Overall, we know that companies see much higher productivity and satisfaction when employee needs are met, which requires offering some degree of flexibility.”
Leaders play a crucial role in building a culture that values work-life balance. While many organizations offer benefits like robust PTO policies, flexible work arrangements, and mental healthcare coverage, leaders who lead by example and actively encourage maintaining healthy boundaries make a huge difference. “A supportive company culture ensures that work-life balance initiatives can succeed,” Timol asserts. “Leaders must be key influencers of company culture and determine if they are modeling work-life balance for their teams and encouraging employees to unplug. Prioritizing a healthy balance and providing the tools to achieve it helps employees feel supported and fosters a work environment built on trust and respect.”
Redefining Employee Wellness
In today’s landscape, forward thinking companies are no longer solely addressing physical wellness—they utilize a more holistic approach to support both body and mind. Providing employees with wellness benefits, both physical and mental, can lead to improved employee performance, reduced healthcare costs, improved retention, and a stronger ability to attract top talent. One company might install a couple of treadmills and rowing machines in the employee break room; another might allow use of company space for book group meetings or yoga classes. Asking employees what they want and need will lead to greater enjoyment and job satisfaction.
“As the meaning of wellness has expanded beyond physical well-being, some of the biggest trends we’re seeing revolve around employee mental health,” Timol reports. “More organizations are prioritizing mental health in their benefits packages, so we’re seeing an increase in things like comprehensive mental healthcare coverage, personalized employee assistance programs, and mental health training.” Normalizing the fact that everyone has personal and professional concerns and experiences frustration and conflict at work at some point makes it more likely that employees will seek out support before their small problems become insurmountable.
Digital tools are also changing the wellness landscape, as more and more companies are utilizing innovative solutions. Timol elaborates, “We’re also seeing an increase in personalization and digitization across the board. Wellness offerings that allow employees to self-manage their health tend to be most effective. Digital health tools, like fitness trackers and mobile mental health resources like Counslr, help employees manage their wellbeing with just a few clicks and provide a high level of customization.”
Conclusion
Workplace loneliness is a growing issue, but it’s one that employers can successfully address. By fostering a sense of belonging through opportunities for social interaction, promoting work-life balance, and supporting employees with resources that improve overall well-being, organizations can create workplaces in which their people can take pride in their work, contribute and thrive.
For more information, please visit PuzzleHR and Counslr.
Whether employees are working from home, returning to the office, or finding themselves in a modern hybridization of the two, today’s rapidly evolving work environment has seen loneliness emerge as a significant concern. According to Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace Report, one in five employees around the world feels lonely at work. Though it is often seen as a personal issue related to social connections outside of work, loneliness in the workplace can have profound effects on employee well-being, productivity, absenteeism, overall job satisfaction, and turnover. Furthermore, workplace loneliness is closely linked to increased stress, anxiety, and depression.
Addressing this complex issue requires commitment and deliberate action from employers. When it comes to providing effective wellness programming, most employers are concerned with identifying and choosing the best options that address employees’ needs while staying within the company’s budget. So, what can employers do to reduce loneliness and build a more connected, engaged, and productive workforce? Counslr explores various approaches with Chris Timol, President and COO of PuzzleHR, a Counslr partner and leading provider of HR Solutions as a Service (HRaaS).
Fostering a Sense of Belonging
Creating a culture in which every employee feels valued and included is key to combating loneliness; employees are more likely to thrive both personally and professionally when they feel this way. Yet, “Only 17% of adults say that they feel a high sense of belonging and social connection in their workplaces,” Timol notes.
Employers can foster a sense of belonging through inclusion initiatives and open communication. “Providing employees an opportunity to engage with one another on a personal level can help lessen some of the loneliness many people are feeling,” Timol states. “Team outings, volunteer projects, holiday parties, and even online gatherings demonstrate a commitment to employee wellbeing, boosting collaboration and motivation.” Meaningful and enjoyable social opportunities outside of work, such as attending sporting events, hosting virtual happy hours, or volunteering for a good cause together can help employees form deeper relationships with colleagues and feel part of a community, irrespective of where they’re located.
Encouraging Work-Life Balance
Workplace loneliness can also stem from feeling disconnected due to an overwhelming workload. Promoting a healthy work-life balance can mitigate these challenges, though the arrangements may look different depending on the work setting. Timol clarifies, “Fully remote work and custom hours may not work for all companies. For some organizations, being remote increases employee stress; for others, remote work boosts engagement.” He continues, “Certain jobs can become frustrating when employee schedules differ vastly, but many companies run seamlessly with employees spread across time zones or even countries.” As such, Timol emphasizes the importance of listening to your employees: “This is where leaders need to tap into their best resource—their employees—and find out what works for them.”
Ultimately, Timol affirms that flexibility goes a long way and leads to success. “Overall, we know that companies see much higher productivity and satisfaction when employee needs are met, which requires offering some degree of flexibility.”
Leaders play a crucial role in building a culture that values work-life balance. While many organizations offer benefits like robust PTO policies, flexible work arrangements, and mental healthcare coverage, leaders who lead by example and actively encourage maintaining healthy boundaries make a huge difference. “A supportive company culture ensures that work-life balance initiatives can succeed,” Timol asserts. “Leaders must be key influencers of company culture and determine if they are modeling work-life balance for their teams and encouraging employees to unplug. Prioritizing a healthy balance and providing the tools to achieve it helps employees feel supported and fosters a work environment built on trust and respect.”
Redefining Employee Wellness
In today’s landscape, forward thinking companies are no longer solely addressing physical wellness—they utilize a more holistic approach to support both body and mind. Providing employees with wellness benefits, both physical and mental, can lead to improved employee performance, reduced healthcare costs, improved retention, and a stronger ability to attract top talent. One company might install a couple of treadmills and rowing machines in the employee break room; another might allow use of company space for book group meetings or yoga classes. Asking employees what they want and need will lead to greater enjoyment and job satisfaction.
“As the meaning of wellness has expanded beyond physical well-being, some of the biggest trends we’re seeing revolve around employee mental health,” Timol reports. “More organizations are prioritizing mental health in their benefits packages, so we’re seeing an increase in things like comprehensive mental healthcare coverage, personalized employee assistance programs, and mental health training.” Normalizing the fact that everyone has personal and professional concerns and experiences frustration and conflict at work at some point makes it more likely that employees will seek out support before their small problems become insurmountable.
Digital tools are also changing the wellness landscape, as more and more companies are utilizing innovative solutions. Timol elaborates, “We’re also seeing an increase in personalization and digitization across the board. Wellness offerings that allow employees to self-manage their health tend to be most effective. Digital health tools, like fitness trackers and mobile mental health resources like Counslr, help employees manage their wellbeing with just a few clicks and provide a high level of customization.”
Conclusion
Workplace loneliness is a growing issue, but it’s one that employers can successfully address. By fostering a sense of belonging through opportunities for social interaction, promoting work-life balance, and supporting employees with resources that improve overall well-being, organizations can create workplaces in which their people can take pride in their work, contribute and thrive.
For more information, please visit PuzzleHR and Counslr.
The Growing Epidemic of Workplace Loneliness
Whether employees are working from home, returning to the office, or finding themselves in a modern hybridization of the two, today’s rapidly evolving work environment has seen loneliness emerge as a significant concern. According to Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace Report, one in five employees around the world feels lonely at work. Though it is often seen as a personal issue related to social connections outside of work, loneliness in the workplace can have profound effects on employee well-being, productivity, absenteeism, overall job satisfaction, and turnover. Furthermore, workplace loneliness is closely linked to increased stress, anxiety, and depression.
Addressing this complex issue requires commitment and deliberate action from employers. When it comes to providing effective wellness programming, most employers are concerned with identifying and choosing the best options that address employees’ needs while staying within the company’s budget. So, what can employers do to reduce loneliness and build a more connected, engaged, and productive workforce? Counslr explores various approaches with Chris Timol, President and COO of PuzzleHR, a Counslr partner and leading provider of HR Solutions as a Service (HRaaS).
Fostering a Sense of Belonging
Creating a culture in which every employee feels valued and included is key to combating loneliness; employees are more likely to thrive both personally and professionally when they feel this way. Yet, “Only 17% of adults say that they feel a high sense of belonging and social connection in their workplaces,” Timol notes.
Employers can foster a sense of belonging through inclusion initiatives and open communication. “Providing employees an opportunity to engage with one another on a personal level can help lessen some of the loneliness many people are feeling,” Timol states. “Team outings, volunteer projects, holiday parties, and even online gatherings demonstrate a commitment to employee wellbeing, boosting collaboration and motivation.” Meaningful and enjoyable social opportunities outside of work, such as attending sporting events, hosting virtual happy hours, or volunteering for a good cause together can help employees form deeper relationships with colleagues and feel part of a community, irrespective of where they’re located.
Encouraging Work-Life Balance
Workplace loneliness can also stem from feeling disconnected due to an overwhelming workload. Promoting a healthy work-life balance can mitigate these challenges, though the arrangements may look different depending on the work setting. Timol clarifies, “Fully remote work and custom hours may not work for all companies. For some organizations, being remote increases employee stress; for others, remote work boosts engagement.” He continues, “Certain jobs can become frustrating when employee schedules differ vastly, but many companies run seamlessly with employees spread across time zones or even countries.” As such, Timol emphasizes the importance of listening to your employees: “This is where leaders need to tap into their best resource—their employees—and find out what works for them.”
Ultimately, Timol affirms that flexibility goes a long way and leads to success. “Overall, we know that companies see much higher productivity and satisfaction when employee needs are met, which requires offering some degree of flexibility.”
Leaders play a crucial role in building a culture that values work-life balance. While many organizations offer benefits like robust PTO policies, flexible work arrangements, and mental healthcare coverage, leaders who lead by example and actively encourage maintaining healthy boundaries make a huge difference. “A supportive company culture ensures that work-life balance initiatives can succeed,” Timol asserts. “Leaders must be key influencers of company culture and determine if they are modeling work-life balance for their teams and encouraging employees to unplug. Prioritizing a healthy balance and providing the tools to achieve it helps employees feel supported and fosters a work environment built on trust and respect.”
Redefining Employee Wellness
In today’s landscape, forward thinking companies are no longer solely addressing physical wellness—they utilize a more holistic approach to support both body and mind. Providing employees with wellness benefits, both physical and mental, can lead to improved employee performance, reduced healthcare costs, improved retention, and a stronger ability to attract top talent. One company might install a couple of treadmills and rowing machines in the employee break room; another might allow use of company space for book group meetings or yoga classes. Asking employees what they want and need will lead to greater enjoyment and job satisfaction.
“As the meaning of wellness has expanded beyond physical well-being, some of the biggest trends we’re seeing revolve around employee mental health,” Timol reports. “More organizations are prioritizing mental health in their benefits packages, so we’re seeing an increase in things like comprehensive mental healthcare coverage, personalized employee assistance programs, and mental health training.” Normalizing the fact that everyone has personal and professional concerns and experiences frustration and conflict at work at some point makes it more likely that employees will seek out support before their small problems become insurmountable.
Digital tools are also changing the wellness landscape, as more and more companies are utilizing innovative solutions. Timol elaborates, “We’re also seeing an increase in personalization and digitization across the board. Wellness offerings that allow employees to self-manage their health tend to be most effective. Digital health tools, like fitness trackers and mobile mental health resources like Counslr, help employees manage their wellbeing with just a few clicks and provide a high level of customization.”
Conclusion
Workplace loneliness is a growing issue, but it’s one that employers can successfully address. By fostering a sense of belonging through opportunities for social interaction, promoting work-life balance, and supporting employees with resources that improve overall well-being, organizations can create workplaces in which their people can take pride in their work, contribute and thrive.
For more information, please visit PuzzleHR and Counslr.
