Anyone who’s spent large amounts of time working alone probably knows what it’s like to feel lonely at work. If you go a whole day without engaging meaningfully with other people, you can feel isolated, demotivated and even sad – none of which is ideal when you’ve got a hefty to-do list to get through.
Workplace loneliness is therefore an important issue for leaders, especially if they manage distributed teams. Loneliness can have deep negative impacts on people’s physical and mental health, increasing the risks of anxiety, depression, obesity and high blood pressure, among other conditions. Sickness, in turn, increases the likelihood of valued staff members being off work.
In 2017, research by the New Economics Foundation found loneliness was costing U.K. employers £2.5 billion a year as a result of sickness and lower productivity. And that was before the Covid-19 pandemic struck and people switched to remote working at scale.
What’s more, loneliness is a far more common problem than many leaders realize. Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2024 Report found that one in five employees worldwide felt lonely the previous day. The World Health Organization has even set up a Commission on Social Connection to address loneliness as a pressing health threat.
Lonely at work?
It’s not only in a remote or hybrid working environment that people can become lonely. “You can be lonely in an open-plan office,” says Guy Lubitsh, professor of leadership and psychology at Hult International Business School, in a TEDx Talk.
Lubitsh, who has researched loneliness at work, says that people may feel lonely when they are surrounded by people but lack genuine connection. “Despite professional success, you can still feel detached, exhausted and even burned out,” he explains. “The high-pressure focus on key performance indicators, targets and traffic lights leaves little space for real, human interaction.”
So, how can leaders help to combat the problem of loneliness at work?
1. Reach out to the “bedroom dwellers”
Lubitsh says it’s important to be mindful of the quieter members of your workspace. Even those who might be sitting nearby may feel distant. “A simple check-in can make a world of difference,” he says.
When reaching out, Lubitsh advises leaders to lead with heart. “Communicate openly and genuinely, creating ‘micro-moments’ of connection,” he says. “Share your struggles and support one another. Don’t let the ‘tyranny of the tangible’ – KPIs and target setting – drive out moments that build relationships.”
He adds: “Connection isn’t just about being around others; it’s about building moments that matter. In a world where loneliness is growing, the smallest actions can have the most profound impact.”
2. Tackle conflict that may be causing loneliness
“Workplace loneliness often stems from unresolved conflict or tension between colleagues, making work feel isolating and difficult,” says David Liddle, CEO of mediation provider The TCM Group and president of the People and Culture Association. “When people experience friction at work, they can feel cut off, either from fear of being seen as a complainer or simply not knowing whom to confide in. This isolation only worsens the impact of the conflict, leaving people feeling alone and disconnected from their team.”
Creating a safe, psychologically supportive environment is essential, according to Liddle – one where everyone can speak up without fear of backlash or judgment. “Managers play a crucial role in this by taking time for one-on-one conversations, listening empathetically to understand how their people are feeling and what they need,” he explains.
Liddle adds: “Managers must also be attuned to early warning signs of conflict – like cliques forming, rising gossip or increased stress-related absences – since these are often symptoms of deeper issues that, left unaddressed, can isolate team members.”
3. Foster collective awareness
“The shift toward remote work and more introverted routines has made it easy to lose touch with the need or desire for connecting in person,” says Mark Leisegang, learning and development expert at development company Insights. “While technology has simplified many aspects of work, it also brings the risk of isolating us further if not used mindfully and with positive intent.”
Leisegang believes that an effective way to counteract loneliness is by intentionally fostering collective awareness within teams through structured development. “This goes beyond the fundamental foundation of self-awareness,” he says. “It involves understanding how others perceive us and genuinely seeing them in return.” Using a development tool can support this process, helping teams to establish trust, build authentic connections and ultimately reduce isolation.
4. Turn the office into a family
The Future-Forward Workforce, a report by CEMS, the Global Alliance in Management Education, highlights that for younger workers, in particular, the workplace is far more than a physical environment or a collection of individuals. “It’s a family,” the report says, adding that younger workers “long for a sense of belonging, for relationships that extend beyond office walls. For them, the workplace should be a hub of camaraderie and collaboration.”
Bearing this principle in mind, German personal care products manufacturer Beiersdorf redesigned its office space in the wake of the pandemic. “Now, not everyone has an assigned seat, but we have assigned neighborhoods,” explains Susanne Iser, director of strategic recruitment and talent acquisition at Beiersdorf and a contributor to the report. “The idea is that when you are in the office, you connect with your neighborhood – that may be someone from a different team, your own team, someone you’re working with on a cross-functional project, or someone with whom you have no previous connection.”
Another contributor to the report, Arkadiusz Przybyl, global head of cards strategy and platforms at Santander Bank, says that social groups can help to foster connection in the workplace. “We’ve noticed a welcome increase in what I’d call ‘social clubs’ or groups, started often by our younger colleagues,” he says. “These can take the form of interest groups such as cooking, running or yoga, but they also like to join forces on the corporate social responsibility front, supporting the communities in which we operate.”
How leaders can tackle loneliness at work
Today is Time to Talk Day in the U.K. It’s a day when we are reminded that just being there for someone can make a difference. So, this is a good day for leaders to reach out to their team members and help tackle the epidemic of loneliness at work. And as Lubitsh says: “If you’re feeling lonely too, don’t hesitate to seek support.”