Loneliness in the Workplace: A Hidden Struggle Affecting Well-being and Productivity

In Atlas of the Heart, Brené Brown highlights that at the core of loneliness is the absence of meaningful social interaction—whether through intimate relationships, friendships, family gatherings, or even a sense of community in a workgroup. This lack of connection can lead to profound emotional and physical impacts, especially in a professional setting.

My Journey Through Workplace Loneliness

I remember this exact feeling all too well—working solo, day after day, as I built my business after leaving a busy corporate finance career. I’d constantly reach for my phone, hoping for a message or notification that would make me feel connected. Checking email, social media, looking for likes or comments—it all became a search for human connection. But I realized that, in the pursuit of interaction, I was ignoring the most important relationship of all: the one with myself.

In 2022, when I transitioned from a corporate role into entrepreneurship, a few people would comment on how brave I was for leaving a secure job. Even fewer realized (myself included at this time) that I was also leaving behind a built-in social network. During the pandemic, I felt a deepened connection within my community, especially with my family and a close circle of friends, which became invaluable as I stepped into my entrepreneurial journey. But as life began to shift back, I was struck by a profound sense of isolation. My children had moved out to their own lives, and our close-knit group had scattered, leaving me with a lingering sense of disconnection.

Researcher John Cacioppo, a pioneer in loneliness studies, describes loneliness as “perceived social isolation,” and that is exactly what I was experiencing. As my social circle shrank, the stress became chronic, affecting my mood, energy, and overall well-being.

The Impact of Loneliness on Our Health and Work

Loneliness isn’t just an emotional state; it has serious consequences toward your mental and physical wellbeing. According to former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, loneliness and weak social connections are linked to a reduction in lifespan comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day—an impact even greater than that of obesity. Chronic loneliness leads to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, dementia, anxiety, and depression.

In the workplace, loneliness isn’t just a personal issue—it impacts business outcomes too. Employees who feel isolated are less engaged and more likely to leave their jobs, leading to higher turnover and a fractured company culture. According to Gallup, employees with strong social connections at work are more engaged, produce higher-quality of work, and are less likely to fall ill or experience burnout. On the flip side, workplace loneliness impairs decision-making, creativity, and task performance.

Dr. Murthy emphasizes that social connection is hardwired into our nervous system. When we lack meaningful interaction, the body goes into a stress state, which elevates cortisol levels which leads to inflammation. Over time, this stress can wear down the body and disrupt brain function, leaving us increasingly susceptible to burnout, impaired judgment, and chronic health issues.

Why Are We Feeling More Lonely?

According to Dr. Murthy, loneliness is now considered a growing health epidemic. Despite living in an era of advanced technology and connectivity, over 40% of adults in America report feeling lonely. This percentage is likely even higher in professional settings, where CEOs and leaders often experience isolation due to their roles.

There are three main factors contributing to this loneliness epidemic: geographic mobility, increased reliance on technology, and an "always-on" work culture.

People are moving more frequently for jobs or personal reasons, disrupting long-term relationships. Meanwhile, technology and remote work have replaced in-person interactions with emails, texts, and virtual meetings, limiting spontaneous conversations that allow for building deeper bonds. Add to that the pressure of being constantly connected to work, even during personal time or vacations, and it’s no wonder that many of us feel isolated.

I would add a fourth factor: social media. Although it can help us stay in touch, social media often fosters feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. Scrolling through carefully curated snapshots of other people’s lives can make you feel disconnected from your own communities, reinforcing a need to "fit in" rather than truly belonging.

Overcoming Loneliness in the Workplace

The first step in addressing loneliness is to acknowledge it. Many of us deny these feelings, held back by the stigma—shame, fear of judgment, or the mistaken belief that loneliness reflects weakness. Yet, as Cacioppo wisely points out, denying loneliness is like denying hunger: it does not make the need disappear.

So, how can we overcome loneliness, especially in workplaces where connections often feel shallow or purely transactional? It begins with fostering genuine relationships.

Here are a few practical ways to combat loneliness and boost well-being at work:

1. Assess Workplace Connections: Take stock of the current state of social connections in your organization. Do employees feel valued by their peers? Does the company culture encourage kindness and understanding, or is it more focused on competition and fear? The quality of relationships directly impacts employee well-being and productivity.
   

2. Encourage High-Quality Relationships: Help employees build genuine connections by encouraging actions that foster trust and empathy. Small acts of generosity, like checking in with a colleague or offering help, can build a foundation of mutual respect and support.
   

3. Make Strengthening Social Connections a Strategic Priority: Creating authentic connections at work requires more than casual conversations or team-building exercises. Leaders should prioritize fostering a culture of kindness, compassion, and trust. By promoting emotional openness and shared experiences, organizations can effectively combat loneliness and strengthen team cohesion. When senior leaders model these behaviors, it creates a powerful example that inspires others to follow suit.
   

4. Create Opportunities for Meaningful Interaction: Whether through team-building activities, creating social spaces, or encouraging more face-to-face interactions (virtual or in-person), it's essential to prioritize opportunities for employees to connect beyond daily tasks. Cultivating a culture that values relationships leads to happier, healthier, and more productive teams.
   

5. Small Steps, Big Impact: Small actions, like encouraging colleagues to share personal stories or offering support when needed, can make a meaningful difference in social connections. For instance, holding weekly sharing sessions where team members discuss personal experiences or passions can cultivate a sense of belonging and significantly strengthen workplace relationships.

Belonging Starts Within

While building connections at work is vital, it's equally important to nurture the relationship we have with ourselves. Authenticity in external relationships can only come when we are connected to our own values and needs. The deeper the connection we foster with ourselves, the more meaningful our interactions with others will become.

At Simply Pause, we focus on the practical, evidence-based tools that help leaders and teams cultivate authentic connections—not just with others, but also with themselves. By addressing stress, burnout, and isolation head-on, we create the foundation for a resilient and balanced life.