The paradox of connection
We live in the most digitally connected age in history. Messaging apps, video calls, collaboration platforms – employees are never more than a few clicks away from their colleagues. Yet despite this, workplace loneliness is on the rise.
According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace (2024), 20% of employees report feeling isolated and disengaged from their colleagues. The irony is hard to ignore: more channels of communication, but fewer meaningful connections.
Workplace loneliness is not just uncomfortable for those experiencing it. It has real consequences for businesses, affecting productivity, morale, and retention.
What workplace loneliness really means
Workplace loneliness isn’t about being physically alone. It’s about feeling emotionally or socially disconnected – not having colleagues you can trust, talk to, or feel supported by.
This can happen in any environment:
- In remote or hybrid teams where face-to-face interaction is rare
- In high-pressure environments where there’s no time for genuine connection
- In workplaces where inclusivity isn’t actively encouraged
A State of Remote Work survey by Buffer (2023) found that 24% of remote workers struggle with loneliness. Younger workers are also particularly affected, with Harvard Business Review (2023) reporting that Gen Z and Millennials feel the highest levels of isolation.
Why loneliness is bad for business
Loneliness has a direct impact on both wellbeing and performance. Research from MIT Sloan Management Review (2023) shows that lonely employees are 43% less productive.
It also increases stress, anxiety, and the risk of burnout, which in turn leads to higher absenteeism and staff turnover. Put simply, loneliness isn’t just an individual problem – it’s a business risk.
Why corporate volunteering makes a difference
So where does corporate volunteering come in? Volunteering creates space for connection. It gives employees the chance to step outside their normal routines, work together on something meaningful, and build relationships in a natural way.
Here’s why it works:
- Shared purpose – Volunteering gives colleagues a common goal, building bonds that carry back into the workplace.
- Breaking down silos – Volunteering activities often bring together people from different departments, teams, or even geographies.
- A different context – Outside the usual pressures of work, people connect more easily and more authentically.
- Inclusive opportunities – With the right design, volunteering can include everyone, whether they are office-based, remote, or deskless.
At EmployeeVolunteering, we’ve seen time and again how volunteering days or skills-based projects spark connections that simply wouldn’t happen in the office. Colleagues who had barely spoken find common ground. Teams that rarely collaborate discover new ways of working together. And individuals who felt isolated find themselves part of something bigger.
Why tackling loneliness is worth it
Helping employees feel less lonely is the right thing to do – but it’s also smart business. Teams that feel connected perform better. They innovate more, communicate more openly, and are more resilient in the face of challenges.
In fact, reducing loneliness at work improves both wellbeing and engagement, which in turn improves retention and productivity. Leaders who take loneliness seriously are not just supporting their people, they’re strengthening their organisations.
What to do next
If workplace loneliness is something you’ve noticed in your teams, volunteering could be the answer. At EmployeeVolunteering, we design opportunities that help employees connect in ways that feel natural and rewarding, whether that’s through team days, ongoing programmes, or digital micro-volunteering. If you’d like to explore how volunteering could help reduce loneliness and build stronger connections in your workplace, we’d love to talk. Get in touch and we can show you how to make it work for your people and your business.
