Loneliness in the Hybrid Workplace

A survey of more than 1,200 remote workers by intranet pioneers, Oak Engage has found that half (50%) of remote workers feel more isolated and lonely working from home, with young workers (those aged 16-24) most likely to be affected.

The survey also shows that over half (53%) of younger remote workers (aged 16-24) admit working from home has dramatically affected their mental health compared to just over 1 in 5 (21%) of remote workers aged 45-54. More than twice as many remote workers aged 16-24 agree that working from home has made them unhappy than those aged 45-54 (41% vs 17%).

Many of us are now working remotely, but it definitely comes with its challenges. The main ones being; work life balance (28%), loneliness (24%), isolation (24%), increase in virtual meetings (20%) and lack of communication (19%).

As a result, many businesses need to adapt their practices to help better support their employees and provide connection during this challenging time. Employee wellbeing experts Oak Engage and industry experts share their top tips to combat these challenges and make employees feel more connected

1. Create a positive work environment

Lisa Seagroatt, Workplace Culture Expert, Lecturer and Author said: “Every single one of us has both mental as well as physical health needs. The only difference is that physical health needs are often more obvious so it’s important for employers to create a culture where employees feel able to seek support when they need to. Business leaders and people managers play a key role here in ensuring they create working environments where employees feel ‘safe’ to raise any issues linked to mental health. A healthy workplace culture of openness, transparency and good communication from the top down helps to create safe working environments.”

Will Murray, CEO at Oak Engage adds: “Recognition is a key motivator and provides people with a sense of accomplishment. Appreciation makes employees feel more confident and improves productivity, a simple thank you goes a long way. Initiatives such as days without meetings and mental health days also play a huge part in creating a positive working environment. We offer holidays whenever people need them and ‘Oak Bank Holidays’ to ensure employees are getting the rest they deserve.”

2. Encourage Flexible Working

Aoife O’Brien, Employee Engagement & Retention Expert and Podcast Host comments: “People are looking to work in organisations that are doing good in the world, with a clear purpose. Employees are also seeking out a greater deal of flexibility in their work - to be able to spend more time doing the things they enjoy. Companies that are offering some sort of remote working or hybrid working option are fairing the best in this difficult situation - this will be the future of office-based work.”

Will Murray, CEO at Oak Engage said: “Employees should be able to design their own working patterns based on what works for them, this will play an important role with organisations looking to be more outcome based as opposed to hours based and breaking free from the ‘9-5’ culture. Flexible working arrangements that give workers more choice and control over their workplace are likely to have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing and mental health.”

3. Open Communication

Lisa Seagroatt, Workplace Culture Expert, Lecturer and Author said: “Strong leadership and good communication are more critical to creating healthy workplace cultures in a physical and digital sense. The key to ensuring that a lack of workplace visibility doesn’t have a negative impact as a result of remote working is communication.

Anyone managing a team of people remotely needs to ensure that they ‘check in’ regularly with their team members no matter how ‘remote’ they might be.”

Will Murray, CEO at Oak Engage adds: “Employees need better communication tools now more than ever. With employee updates, news and culture stories, modern social mentions and likes and interactions to engage everyone in the conversation, we can ensure a constant stream of two-way communication. Good communication is crucial. If management isn’t communicating with their workforce about key objectives and how well they’re performing, it can often lead to confusion. Furthermore, if your company doesn’t have an effective means of communication, employees will struggle to connect with you.”

Suzanne Benoit, Human Behaviour & Social Dynamics Expert adds: “Every manager/employee interaction should include check-ins. They should factor in how the employee is doing with their work, barriers, frustrations, alongside wins and feeling proud of their results. In addition, a check-in for feelings about the company and their work is essential. Do they feel heard? The most important factor for a successful communication system is for leadership to hear from and listen to employees about their concerns and needs relative to their work. Employee communication platforms are a helpful tool to foster these conversations.”

4. Embrace technology

Will Murray, CEO at Oak Engage said: “The current tools that businesses are using to connect with their staff just aren’t cutting it. That’s why organisations are looking for new solutions to engage their employees. 2021 was a difficult year for everyone and as working from home continues, not only are employees feeling isolated, they can also feel anxious, stressed and burnt out. Products like Oak Engage’s intranet can help businesses connect their people by using adaptive intelligence to boost employee engagement and promote wellbeing. Today’s teams need a new way to communicate that reduces noise and avoids duplication which is what we’re focussed on.”