How managers can tackle loneliness in the workplace

Unfortunately, we have another epidemic sweeping the globe: loneliness. While we have relied on a vast array of scientists to combat the Covid epidemic, tackling the spread of loneliness requires a different set of tools – one of which is managers.

With the theme of ‘loneliness’, Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 aims to highlight how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities. Many groups are in agreement that management practices can help to reduce loneliness in society; the UK government even explicitly advocates “making loneliness part of managers’ responsibilities”. This is because how people feel at work is a large contributing factor to their overall feelings of disconnection and isolation. 

Besides the obvious societal benefits, fostering a sense of connection and belonging in the workplace is also vital for employee happiness and productivity and, by extension, business success.

Researchers have identified a range of key skills and strategies that managers and leaders can bring to the fight against loneliness. We invite you to take five minutes to reflect on these and consider which areas you could work on and what changes you might make in your organisation to help tackle loneliness.