As we head into winter with shorter days and colder nights, the daily grind can feel especially grinding. While the loneliness epidemic trudges on, you might be in need of a boost at work to get you through to the holidays.
New research from HP’s Work Relationship Index found that only 28% of knowledge workers have a healthy relationship with work, a figure that has barely improved since last year. But there is a secret – work can positively impact your life, beyond the paycheck. If you’re looking for a happier life at work, the key lies in your work relationships.
Headspace’s 2024 Workforce State of Mind report found that 53% of employees say that work has helped them find a community of people with similar backgrounds or lived experiences and 44% say it helped them build connections and feel less lonely.
“While work can be a driving force for stress in our lives, impacting our happiness, these findings also show that work can also be a source of support and connection: two crucial pillars of happiness,” Jenna Glover, Ph.D. and Chief Clinical Officer at Headspace, tells me.
So at a time when loneliness is pervasive and connections can feel superficial, how can you build stronger, more genuine connections at work?
The Realities Of Work Related Stress
It’s no surprise that for most workers, a major source of stress is their job, particularly at a time of economic difficulty, stagnant wages, limited options for progression and a cost of living crisis. What’s less obvious is the real impact that stress is having on mental health, which is taking a serious toll on overall wellbeing.
“The data shows that 40% of employees reported work-related stress has contributed to serious mental health challenges, including substance use or even suicidal ideation,” said Glover. “Additionally, 78% say work stress has poorly impacted their physical health and 76% say that it has caused a personal relationship to end. With approximately one-third of our waking hours dominated by work, it’s no surprise that our work environments can impact us on so many levels,” she said.
Especially now, work stress isn’t just an occupational hazard – it’s having a detrimental effect on your physical and mental health. But the inverse is also true: work can also boost your happiness and improve your wellbeing – if you know how to let it.
The Power Of Social Connection At Work
By reducing isolation and fostering connection at work, the social connections forged at work can act as a stress shield and even boost your overall wellbeing. As humans, we crave connection and a sense of belonging and because we spend so much of our time and energy doing our jobs, the workplace is an important setting to build social bonds.
“It’s important to be able to foster meaningful relationships not just for professional success but for our wellbeing and happiness both inside and outside the workplace,” connection specialist and TEDx speaker Ellie Turner Coughlin tells me. “Better relationships not only help us to improve communication, collaboration, recognition and professional growth, they also have a hugely positive impact on our job satisfaction, confidence and wellbeing.”
If you’re skeptical of making friends at work and prefer keeping your personal and work life separate, in addition to the health benefits, it’s worth considering that neglecting to build trusting relationships at work can hinder your professional growth and lead to feelings of isolation and even disengagement with your work. And you can start small.
“Workers don’t need to have plenty of connections, but even just a couple of stronger working relationships can help provide you with support. It’s about finding ways to connect that feel most natural to you,” said Coughlin.
How To Build Trusting Relationships At Work
For the introverted, socially shy and remote workers, as well as for employees who are at work strictly to do their job and clock off, Coughlin shared her advice on ways to build meaningful connections at work.
1. Start With Why. Spend time reflecting on who you want to connect with and whether you’re looking for more support, mentorship, visibility or professional growth.
2. Get Involved. Join groups like employee resource groups, mentorship programs or interest groups to build connections both online and offline, without having to directly reach out to someone.
3. Keep It Real. Find a way to connect that feels authentic to you. If events feel daunting, suggest a virtual coffee chat or send someone a resource they may find useful.
4. Give More Than You Receive. The strongest relationships are built on reciprocity so think about how you can help others. Make introductions, offer help, share things they may find useful and celebrate others in group chats or on LinkedIn.
5. Connect With The Connectors. You don’t need to become a super-connector – just try to connect with one. Creating a connection with someone who knows lots of people is a great way to get involved in things they do, build your network and increase your visibility without having to make lots of direct connections yourself. If there’s someone you want to meet but you don’t want to reach out directly, try reaching out to someone who already knows them and can make the introduction for you.
6. Go Beyond The Surface: To build strong working relationships, you don’t need to talk only about work. Be curious, ask questions and show interest to find points of connection and bond over shared values or lived experiences.
Coughlin also shared ways that employers and managers can foster authentic connections and community for their employees.
1. Create employee resource groups to facilitate connection between groups of people with shared interests or experiences and allow your employees to connect outside their typical work roles.
2. Make space for connection through internal mentorship programs, social events, coffee meet-ups and opportunities for cross-department collaboration.
3. Encourage flexibility to allow employees to build connections at work in the unique way that works for them. Some people prefer socializing over lunch in the office, some like after work activities and others may prefer to engage online in smaller groups. Make it easy for everyone to connect.