How to leverage social wellbeing to address loneliness in the workplace
In 2022, Mental Health UK surveyed 1,105 workers about their experiences of loneliness at work. The findings showed that 1 in 5 UK workers reported feeling lonely in the workplace, and almost a quarter said it had an impact on their mental health.
So, what can we do about it?
What’s changed?
A lot has changed in the way we work over the last five or six years. For instance, the Covid-19 pandemic played a huge role in shaping the working model we see today. As a result of many lockdowns and social distancing regulations, hybrid and remote working are now very common.
The amount of time people spend in the office and with colleagues has shifted. Research by Boostworks shows that 38%-47% of those surveyed have an in-office routine of 4-5 days per week. That’s a significant number of people, but they simply aren’t in the majority anymore.
It’s also important to consider technology in this equation. Advancements in technology have made it easier to do simple things with minimal to no human contact; food shop deliveries, online meetings … even ordering a coffee can involve only a screen. Our levels of social interaction as a society have evolved, which naturally can take a toll on social and mental wellbeing.
Why social wellbeing is so important at work
It’s important to feel connected and to have a sense of belonging in the communities we’re part of. This can include having positive relationships with colleagues and feeling part of a supportive, social work environment. When these social needs aren’t met in the workplace, people can start to feel isolated and disconnect from company culture.
Loneliness can have a serious, threefold impact on a workplace, affecting both employees and employers. First, it can cause lower employee engagement, as people who feel isolated are less likely to feel motivated, which can lead to lower productivity. This disconnect can ultimately cause people to leave, which has an effect on retention levels and overall business performance.
What can be done about it?
Even though hybrid and remote work are likely to stay in many industries, it doesn’t mean loneliness at work has to as well. There needs to be a conscious effort to help people feel connected and included, even with less day-to-day contact.
Employers can lead this change. Beyond running social activities, a long-term strategy to reduce loneliness is to introduce a reward and recognition programme that helps people connect, support each other and feel valued for their contribution, all while reinforcing your business’ values and aligning individuals to your culture.
When this is facilitated through a reward and recognition platform, it gives employees a central space to regularly share and receive appreciation, so they feel connected to their peers and the wider business every day.
Employees at all levels can publicly recognise their colleagues for their achievements, and other colleagues can amplify the appreciation by interacting with recognition posts. This helps create an online community where people feel more connected and have visibility of the great work happening in different areas. This encourages a positive, supportive, and friendly workplace, which can also carry over into in-person interactions.
Then there are rewards. Rewarding employees for their hard work is another powerful way to recognise effort and create a supportive environment that promotes social wellbeing. When businesses reward employees for their personal and professional milestones such as birthdays and long service awards, it further solidifies that they’re valued as an individual, helping alleviate feelings of isolation. Plus, when individuals are able to choose their own rewards, it makes the overall experience more personalised and meaningful.
At a holistic level, rewards and recognition aren’t just about driving behaviour and incentivising performance – they provide a meaningful way to connect colleagues, celebrate individuals and build a culture where people feel supported, valued and like they belong.
Moving forward
We still need connection to be at our best and support our social wellbeing and it can be harder to find moments where social interaction is at the centre. This is where loneliness can start to creep in.
This affects the workplace, as loneliness impacts engagement, productivity, and employee turnover. So, it’s important to actively create these moments, with the help of tools like reward and recognition platforms, to encourage interaction between colleagues and a stronger sense of appreciation from employers. This way, we can work towards a workforce which fights and eventually eliminates workplace loneliness and isolation.
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, Boostworks
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