Nearly a third of Aussie employees feel lonely: What are the workplace impacts?

Loneliness is unhealthy for a variety of reasons and, according to recent data, can also impact productivity in the workplace.

Some of the effects of loneliness include poor physical and mental health, premature death, and a general dissatisfaction with life.

According to AIA Australia, 32 per cent of adults say they are lonely, and 17 per cent report severe loneliness.

There are many impacts that loneliness has on workplace productivity. AIA Australia listed some of these impacts as:

• Thirty-five per cent of lonely people report work impairment, compared to 24 per cent who aren’t lonely.
• Thirty-one per cent of lonely people report presenteeism, compared to 22 per cent who aren’t lonely.
• Eleven per cent of lonely people report absenteeism, compared to 8 per cent who aren’t lonely.

“We know the working-aged Australians, particularly the young and middle-aged, are lonely. It’s estimated that 37 per cent of the Australian workforce feels lonely, while nearly a quarter do not engage in activities to connect with their colleagues,” said AIA Australia chief executive Damien Mu.

“Loneliness is a biological need, just like thirst or hunger. We all feel lonely at times. We need to change the dialogue and support Australians to reach out and connect.”

The first Loneliness Awareness Week in Australia will be from 7 to 11 August, making it as crucial a time as ever to try to help reduce these issues.

AIA and Ending Loneliness Together are partnering to provide a corporate awareness program to help organisations address loneliness within the ranks.

“Our partnership with Ending Loneliness Together, as evidenced by the report findings shared today, plays an important role in raising awareness and educating workplaces and communities about loneliness and its impacts on population health, wellbeing, and productivity,” said Mr Mu.

Ending Loneliness Together chair Dr Michelle Lim said more discussion is needed to educate employers and employees alike.

“Loneliness in the workplace, if left unaddressed, may lead to increased absenteeism and presenteeism and poorer mental health, which will impact businesses,” said Dr Lim.

“It’s clear that many people understand the consequences of loneliness but do not know how to talk about it, how to ask for the connections they need, and where to get help.”

She continued: “This report highlights that loneliness is a critical issue of our time and has been recognised as a public health property for many countries around the world. While the detrimental health, economic, and social impacts of loneliness are well established, community awareness and action remain low.”

AIA Australia said workplaces can do their part to reduce the stigma and help those who may be suffering by:

• Educating employees to understand loneliness and the impact it can have on health and wellbeing
• Educating leaders and employees to know how to reach out to their colleagues who may be feeling lonely
• Normalising conversations about loneliness to remove the associated stigma
• Building workplace social connection into the employer’s health and wellbeing strategy