As Covid restrictions are gradually lifted around the world, many home-workers are finding themselves spending more time working alone and with less contact with other people.
“Over the summer, my employer downsized the office to just 12 desks, so I now only go in once a week at most,” explains Emily, a content manager in London. “And since the new year, my partner’s manager wants him to travel to their office at least three days each week, meaning I’ve suddenly found myself home alone all day at least twice a week. It’s been disorientating after spending two years 24/7 together during Covid; I’ve been feeling a little down and lost.”
But this is not just a remote working phenomenon. Almost two in ten workers, regardless of where they do their work, still report feeling lonely.
As Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 aims to explore the experience and impact of loneliness, we asked the mental health experts at Kooth to tell us a bit more about the impact of lone working and how you can help yourself and those you manage to cope with isolation.
The experts explain
Lone working – working alone without much contact with colleagues, managers, or members of the public – is involved in many different types of employment: farmers, carers, cleaners, warehouse operatives, plumbers, delivery drivers, lab operatives, and estate agents, to name just a few.
People also might work alone often if they work unsociable hours, frequently travel for work, run a business alone, or are based in a separate space from their team. Since Covid-19, a much higher proportion of employed people have also been and will continue to work from home, which might mean less contact with others.
Find out more about the dangers of lone working – and techniques for mitigating feelings of isolation
Register for Free Access
Not yet a Member, Subscriber or Friend? Register as a CMI Friend for free, and get access to this and many other exclusive resources, as well as weekly updates straight to your inbox.
You have successfully registered
As a CMI Friend, you now have access to whole range of CMI Friendship benefits.
Please login to the left to confirm your registration and access the article.
Advice
Looking for advice and guidance? Whether you are looking for topical tips or information, you can find the latest advice and guidance from the CMI team here.
Members See More
CMI Members have access to thousands of online learning and CPD resources. Learn more about our membership benefits
Join The Community
CMI offers a variety of flexible membership solutions, tailored to your needs. Find out more and get involved in the CMI community today.