Feeling Lonely at Work?

Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the rise of remote work, many employees have experienced an increase in loneliness. According to a 2024 Gallup report, one in five, or 20% of employees feel lonely “a lot” during the work day. Interestingly, more men felt lonely than women, with nearly a quarter of male workers, 24%, expressed their lonely feelings. This is a five point higher percentage than women, of which only 19% reported being lonely “a lot”.

Gender was not the only factor in determining loneliness: age also factored into the measure. If employees were younger than 35, they were more likely to feel lonely.

It is important to note what loneliness really is. Loneliness and isolation are not the same emotion – loneliness is instead a feeling that interpersonal connections are lacking in some way. Even if you work in a crowded office, without meaningful human connection, you may feel lonely.

This is why it is important to know how to respond to loneliness. When feelings of loneliness occur, think of them and treat them like hunger: your body is craving something. With hunger, it is craving nutrients, when lonely, it craves connection.

Especially with the rising mental health issues in our culture, everyone needs to be aware of how to handle being lonely. If you work from home frequently, perhaps breaking up your day by going to a coffeeshop or library could foster some additional interaction. Find what works best for you, but be sure to prioritize your mental health while at work.