More than half of Americans feel lonely at work

Workers are feeling increasingly alone as their employment gets more digital, leaving less room for personal connections. A recent Cigna poll of 10,000 Americans found that 58% call themselves lonely, up from 46% in 2018.

One may think remote work is the culprit, but even those who work from the office have seen a significant drop in face-to-face communications. Data from real-estate company Cushman and Wakefield shows that 25% of office employees’ time is spent in virtual meetings, while in-person meetings take up just 8% of their time.

A 2023 survey shows that over 40% of fully remote workers go days without stepping outside their house.

These have led to what the US surgeon general declared loneliness a health epidemic last year.

Loneliness is costly for businesses, too. It leads to higher staff turnover and particularly absenteeism, which costs companies an estimated $154 billion a year.

Some companies, including 1-800-Flowers.com, Ernst & Young and Shaklee, are addressing the mental health issue by,

• Increasing in-office days and making mandatory gatherings.

• Encouraging workers to chat and have small talk during lunch and breaks.

• Have personal conversations at the beginning of business calls.

Interestingly, small talk has health benefits. A study of 100 employees at different workplaces found people engaging in chit-chats reported less work stress and saw co-workers positively.