Loneliness has a negative impact on our individual health and wellbeing. It is linked to poor mental and physical health, increasing the risk of early mortality by 26%. It can also trap us in a downward spiral of negative emotions which can be hard to escape

Loneliness at work can contribute to employees being more likely to leave, increasing turnover costs, and affects worker’s health and wellbeing. Research found that loneliness costs UK employers £2.5 billion a year. (Source: Co-op and New Economics Foundation)

Loneliness is a subjective, negative experience that happens when we have a mismatch between the relationships that we have and those that we want and need. Most of us need a range of relationships – with family, friends, and often in our workplaces and wider communities. Being in work can protect us against loneliness, while if we do not have the relationships we want and need at work, it can affect our overall health and wellbeing.

How loneliness affects work:
  • Less commitment making employees more likely to leave their job
  • Less productivity
  • Greater absenteeism
  • Greater staff turnover
  • Employees who feel lonely may appear less approachable to their colleagues, making it more challenging to develop working relationships and valuable connections

The risk of loneliness in the workplace is a mix of factors to do with the individual and the workplace. Current working patterns have resulted in people changing jobs more often and more people working part-time. Virtual teams, shift, lone and remote working, either all or some of the time, mean fewer face-to-face interactions and greater reliance on technology. For people who have moved away for work a sense of community and belonging in the workplace can be particularly important as they might be further away from their usual social and supportive networks.

Relationships, along with our health, are the two greatest determinants of wellbeing in the workplace, these are followed by security and environment and then purpose.

There are workplace situations that can exasperate the feelings of loneliness, for example people working remotely, part-time and shift working. Particularly those who have started a new job whilst working remotely and have, in some instances, missed out on all the usual welcome interactions someone would expect when starting a new role.

Another example is if someone is working excessive hours or working shift patterns that isolate them from their family and friends, as they are missing the connections with those closest to them. Not everyone in these situations would feel the same but the risk is increased due to the impact on social connections.

What employers can do:
  • Embed loneliness awareness in your Health and Wellbeing and Mental Health approaches, policies and practice where cooperation and connectedness are emphasised
  • Break down stigma on loneliness and talk about loneliness at work
  • Proactively ask your staff within people surveys and one-to-ones how much loneliness is an issue for them
  • Recognise the risk of loneliness at specific workplace transitions (new employment, taking on management and leadership responsibilities, leaving employment) and during life events such as returning to work after maternity/paternity leave, health related absence, bereavement or caring responsibilities
  • Having a dedicated employee “champion” who is trained on loneliness and wellbeing in the workplace can be a source of confidential information and peer support without reliance on line management
  • Simply keeping in contact with your staff
  • Ensure home, onsite, remote, shift and hybrid workers are supported to develop and maintain work relationships possibly dedicating a section at team meetings to non work-related discussions

Generally being in good quality work is beneficial for maintaining positive mental wellbeing. It gives us a sense of purpose, makes us feel valued and helps us feel connected with others. Work itself can be a protective factor in helping to maintain our wellbeing and minimise the risk of loneliness.

By tackling loneliness and supporting employees to build social connections, employers can ensure a more productive and resilient workforce. Lonely workforces are less productive, while more connected workforces are better able to weather challenges and support each other.

Support

Always suggest a person contacts their GP if they have any concerns regarding their health
  • Campaign to End Loneliness – for a helpful links page for information on the support available
  • Better Health: Every Mind Matters loneliness – website page, where people will find support and advice on how they can help others, as well as information on support routes to help them feel less lonely too
  • Learn about loneliness – Marmalade Trust – this guide covers everything from what loneliness is to who experiences it, the long-term effects of loneliness and tips for feeling more connected
  • Health Coaches – they will work with you to improve your health and make positive lifestyle changes. Your coach can assist you every step of the way to achieve and maintain your goals. The service is free and available for adults aged 18 and over
  • Wiltshire Mental Health Inclusion Service (rethink.org) – provides a community mental health service for those in Wiltshire. It is to help support you if you are feeling isolated or lonely due to your mental health and create opportunities of growth to access your local community
  • SHOUT service is a free, anonymous 24/7 mental health text messaging service which will not appear on your bill. Text the word SHOUT to 85258 to be connected with a trained volunteer who aim to support individuals to a calm and safe place
  • Second Step – offers a range of community mental health support services for people aged 16+ who live in Wiltshire or who are registered with a Wiltshire GP. Refer yourself online or call 03002 225745

See more

Resources

  • MECC Link – is an online signposting tool available to everyone in B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire to help find out where support can be accessed for health and wellbeing
  • MIND – tips to manage loneliness
  • Wiltshire Recreation – visit the countryside or a nature reserve  in your area
  • Reading Well  – helps people to understand and manage their health and wellbeing using self-help reading
  • Wiltshire Together – a free community platform that connects people, charities, community groups and organisations in Wiltshire to their community. You can search for local events, volunteering opportunities, and nearby support (including mental health support)
  • Volunteering – for opportunities to volunteer across Wiltshire including one-off events or longer-term commitments
  • Hybrid Working – Guidelines (ACAS) – for guidance and resources to support employers who wish to introduce hybrid working into their organisation
  • CIPD: Managing and supporting remote workers – guidance for managers containing tips on how to support employees who are working remotely
  • Employers and loneliness – a report from the government containing examples of good practice and learning and maps what we know about loneliness and ways to alleviate it

See more

Toolkits

See more

Learning and Development

  • Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is about making the most of every opportunity you have with the people you come into contact with. MECC is a reflective skills-based free training opportunity that encourages a different way of interacting to address health and wellbeing issues. Course and booking information can be found at https://www.theenterprisenetwork.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/MECC-training-dates-2025-July-Nov-1.pdf
  • Wiltshire Training – provided by Wiltshire Council offers a wide variety of workplace health courses designed to meet your needs with bespoke training programmes also available. View the brochure here
  • Social isolation awareness training (zerosuicidealliance.com) – a brief online introduction to social isolation. In 5 to 10 minutes, you will learn how social isolation affects our mental health and how to step up and help someone who feels isolated
  • Wiltshire College & University Centre – offers a range of daytime and evening courses from various sites in the county
  • Information and learning – Wiltshire Council – find out how Wiltshire Libraries can help you with information, access to free online resources and links to on-line and in person learning including numeracy and literacy
  • FutureLearn – is run by the Open University and offers free short courses from leading UK and worldwide universities. Learn online, for a few hours a week, from 2 – 10 weeks
  • Wiltshire family and community learning – teach courses where you can learn new skills, gain knowledge, and enhance your life. The offer is  varied, and cover topics from helping children with their learning, to confidence building to English and Maths skills for work
  • Eventbrite – find events on a variety of topics including webinars and conferences, many free to attend
  • Zero Suicide Alliance – provide free online training course to teach you the skills and confidence to have a potentially life-saving conversation with someone you’re worried about
  • Workplace Wellbeing – Wiltshire Wildlife Trust – offer workplace wellbeing workshops to support a happier, healthier and more productive workforce, whatever the size of your business

See more