Loneliness and isolation in the workplace can lead to reduced job satisfaction and productivity, and increased stress, while a supportive work environment that promotes connection, communication, and meaningful relationships improves employee wellbeing.

That is the view of Melbourne Chamber member AIA Australia, which recently released Community at work: A study examining the impact of social connections on employees and the workplace.

The leading life, health and wellbeing insurer’s Behavioural Science team led a research collaboration with Professor Nicholas Epley from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, providing coffee breaks for staff that encouraged social engagement.

Participants reported high levels of enjoyment following the coffee breaks (e.g., through actively engaging in deeper conversations or being in the presence of other people), with their expectation of enjoyment increasing each week.

The study found that leaders who promote a supportive work environment that fosters connection between people will be better placed to reduce the burden of loneliness on their people and the subsequent impact on business performance.

This follows AIA’s recent 2023 State of the Nation Report on Social Connection in Australia, which revealed that nearly one in three adults (32 per cent) say they are lonely, with one in six (17 per cent) reporting severe loneliness, putting them at a higher risk of lower workplace productivity, poor physical and mental health, and chronic disease. Younger people (18-24) and middle-aged Australians (45-54) — much of the working population — are the loneliest in the country.

The results show that despite one in three Australians feeling lonely, we’re not talking about it in the workplace or our other communities, which highlights the stigma and misconceptions associated with loneliness.

Damien Mu, CEO of AIA Australia said he hopes the findings inspire workplaces to check in on employees who might be feeling lonely and start to foster more meaningful social connection.

“We know that working-aged Australians, particularly the young and middle-aged, are lonely.

“Loneliness is a biological need, just like thirst or hunger. We all feel lonely at times. We need to change the dialogue and support Australians to reach out and connect.

“At AIA Australia, we want to create understanding, start conversations, and encourage connection in workplaces.”

A way forward for workplaces

Loneliness is present in the workplace and can have serious impact on employees and businesses. Compared with their non-lonely counterparts, employees who are lonelier make more errors, take more sick leave, and express a stronger intention to resign.

AIA says workplaces have an opportunity to take steps towards an Australia where everyone feels a sense of meaningful social connection and belonging by:

• Educating employees to understand loneliness and the impact it can have on health and wellbeing
• Educating leaders and employees to know how to reach out to their colleagues who may be feeling lonely
• Normalising conversations about loneliness to remove the associated stigma
• Building workplace social connection into the employer’s health and wellbeing strategy.

AIA and national authority Ending Loneliness Together will be launching a corporate awareness program in early 2024 to equip workplaces with the right tools.