Respectful, meaningful, and supportive social relationships matter at work. These connections impact employees' health, safety, and satisfaction (workplace well-being). Illinois Extension staff members work in different types of workspaces depending on their responsibilities and, more specifically, based on the program, event, or activity. Therefore, investing in social connections at work leads to better outcomes for the employee and the organization. For example, a 2022 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report on workplace mental health and well-being found that workplace well-being affects productivity and organizational performance. So, to increase opportunities for connection, let's broaden our understanding of isolation and loneliness in the workplace.
What is Workplace Isolation and Loneliness?
Company isolation is the extent to which an employee believes they belong to the company (D’Oliveira & Persico, 2023). It involves whether they feel their contributions are recognized and valued at work. Colleague isolation relates to how the employee perceives casual interactions and friendships with colleagues. Workplace loneliness, therefore, refers to the “distress which arises when an employee believes they do not have adequate interpersonal relationships at work” (D’Oliveira & Persico, 2023).
A recent survey from the American Psychological Association (2025) found that loneliness is a pervasive emotional strain, with “half of adults in the U.S. reported feelings of emotional disconnection, saying they have felt isolated from others (54%), felt left out (50%), or have lacked companionship (50%) often or some of the time.” When we consider workplace implications, these concerns may affect employees regardless of the work setting (e.g., hybrid, remote, in-person).
What are Some Effects of Workplace Isolation and Loneliness?
While workers may experience subjective feelings of loneliness and isolation in the workplace, Nakamura and colleagues (2026) contend that it is more than an individual emotional experience and may have significant consequences for organizations. Higher loneliness has been associated with:
- poorer supervisor-related performance;
- weaker affective [sentimental] commitment to the organization;
- impaired cognitive [intellectual] performance;
- increased turnover; and
- lower job satisfaction among colleagues.
When people experience loneliness, it may also affect their overall health in different ways. In other words, people do not experience loneliness and isolation in the same way. Someone with a pre-existing mental health condition or previous lived experiences with social isolation may feel the effects of isolation differently in a current work situation than someone without that experience. The adverse impacts may be fueled by multiple factors in the person's life or environment.
What Factors May Reduce Workplace Isolation and Strengthen Connection?
Because loneliness and social isolation cross over into both personal and professional life, it can be challenging to create effective boundaries and separation. However, workplaces and teams can adopt strategies to reduce the effects of these experiences at work. D’Oliveira et al. (2023) and Nakamura et al. (2026) offer several considerations for employers and employees:
- Promote positive and supportive interactions (i.e., actions colleagues take to emotionally and physically help each other at work) between colleagues to decrease perceptions of workplace isolation.
- Understand personal and cultural factors, individual preferences, and personality types of team members and supervisees.
- Encourage boundary-setting techniques and recognize the advantages of different work settings and situations - and what benefits employees. These may help to reduce loneliness and workplace stress.
Embedding and elevating psychological safety in the workplace also serves as a mediating factor in reducing isolation. It enhances employees' motivation to participate in innovative work. It also influences employee learning behaviors and performance within the organization.
These non-exhaustive considerations are important for strengthening resilience within workers and deeper connections across the organization.
Better Together
Workplaces like Illinois Extension create a community of people aligned under a shared purpose and mission. Through its network of program areas, units, administrative offices, and partnerships, the organization can fulfill its community outreach goals. However, to achieve these objectives, we must continue to advance workplace well-being. Thus, aligning with the premise that when people have meaningful interactions and relationships at work, they may feel more supported and connected, which benefits both the employee and the organization.
References
- American Psychological Association. Stress in America 2025: A crisis of connection. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/stress-in-america/2025/index
- D’Oliveira, T.C., & Persico, L. (2023). Workplace isolation, loneliness and wellbeing at work: The mediating role of task interdependence and supportive behaviours. Applied Ergonomics, 106, 1-10.
Nakamura, J., Matsuo, A., Ono, H., Momotani, H., Sekiya, D., & Matsui, Y. (2026). Development and validation of a workplace isolation and loneliness state scale: a tool for the prevention of isolation and loneliness in the workplace. Frontiers in Organizational Psychology, 3:1699454.
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Unsplash | Melody Zimmerman