Help! Lonely at work: Managerial interventions to combat employee loneliness

Loneliness is a rampant and modern epidemic that affects the majority of employed adults and shows no signs of subsiding. Loneliness not only contributes to numerous health problemsdincluding anxiety, depression, heart failure, and suicidedbut can also cause greater employee stress, cynicism, distrust, and decreased job performance, as well as higher turnover and absenteeism. Loneliness-prompted absenteeism singlehandedly costs employers billions of dollars a year in lost productivity. Consequently, understanding and managing workplace loneliness is of paramount importance for leaders. A review of the causes and outcomes associated with workplace loneliness is provided in this article, as well as three evidence-based interventions that can help reduce workplace loneliness: (1) fostering opportunities for relationship building, (2) increasing support around evolving work contexts, and (3) fortifying a people-focused organizational culture. By presenting research-based guidance, we help leaders combat on-thejob loneliness faced by employees, as well as managers; generate healthier work environments; and cultivate improved individual, team, and organizational performance.& COPY; 2023 Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Loneliness is a prevalent modern epidemic that negatively affects employed adults, leading to various health problems and decreased job performance. Workplace loneliness is also associated with higher turnover and absenteeism, causing significant productivity loss for employers. This article highlights the importance of understanding and managing workplace loneliness and provides evidence-based interventions to reduce it, including fostering relationship building, increasing support in evolving work contexts, and promoting a people-focused organizational culture. The information presented in this article aims to help leaders combat on-the-job loneliness, create healthier work environments, and improve individual, team, and organizational performance.