How to Fight WFH Loneliness and Make Real Connections with Coworkers

There's no arguing that the work-from-home (WFH) model is here to stay. In five years, 65% of the workforce is expected to be remote full-time, changing not just where we work but also how we work together. While this shift offers a lot of good things — Goodbye daily commute, Hello personal time! It also presents an unspoken challenge- WFH loneliness and isolation.

Without water cooler chats or random elevator encounters, employees feel lonely and miss the camaraderie and belongingness that come from being together in person. This isn’t just a hunch, studies show that remote workers are more likely to leave their jobs due to isolation and low engagement. In this article, we’ll discuss ways in which you can develop social connections at work and overcome isolation, both as a remote employee and employer.

Top Tips to Battle WFH Loneliness for Employees

1. Embrace remote workspaces

Once in a while, we recommend stepping away from your home office. While it is tempting to work out of your pyjamas in the comfort of your couch, a change of scenery is important. Co-working spaces, cafes, and parks are all great ideas for your next workstation. New environments can inject some life into your daily professional routine and if that's not enough, they also give you more opportunities for casual social interactions! You know... those you miss from the office.

2. Incorporate exercise into your routine

Physical exercise is a great way to deal with remote isolation. You could go for a run, attend a yoga class in your neighbourhood or do a group fitness challenge with your colleagues. Engaging in physical activity can enhance your mood, help you stay fit, and also offer opportunities for social interaction.

3. Make plans after work

Professionals commuting to work often build work-life balance by creating a clear boundary between work and personal life. Doing the same while working from home is crucial. Plan fun activities after business hours that you can look forward to. These can be movie nights with colleagues, dinner dates with friends and family, or simply phone call catch-ups. These plans help maintain social connections and will provide a sense of normalcy in your daily routine.

4. Join online communities

Technology might have taken you away from your coworkers in person, but it can also bring new friends from all around the world to your room. And since most people's lives are now online, there’s no shortage of places for you to make personal and professional connections on the internet.

You know the usual suspects — LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook — but there are also more creative spaces like Glassdoor Bowls™ that allow individuals to talk openly (and even anonymously) about a variety of topics. Within Glassdoor Bowls, you can share insights, ask for advice, and even engage in banter with like-minded professionals. 

5. Establish a routine 

Humans draw comfort from creating and following rituals. Consider creating a ritual to start and end your workday. You could go for a short walk around the block, meditate, or set out some reading time before or after your work hours. This will help you to mentally prepare for the work day and then decompress, defining clear boundaries between work and personal time.

6. Use video calls

In today’s digital landscape, getting connected couldn’t have been easier. Yet, if you’re still only relying on emails and messages to communicate, you are missing out on opportunities to create healthy professional relationships. Once in a while, use tools like Zoom to connect with your colleagues and managers.

Yes, Zoom fatigue is real and overwhelming, we get it. But, in a video call, you can discern the tone of voice, understand other people's body language, and even make small talk. The social connection it brings can brighten up your day and reduce loneliness. Here’s an added tip: start calls with a spark of enthusiasm in your voice - happiness is contagious.

7. Get a pet 

Feeling the pinch of loneliness from working at home? A furry solution could be the answer you’re looking for. Dogs and cats especially can offer more than just companionship, they can scientifically reduce feelings of loneliness and fulfil our need for touch.

At the end of a long workday, nothing quite compares to the joy a pet can bring. And if having your own pet isn't feasible, consider joining a community like Borrow My Doggy to walk someone else's dog.

Top Tips to Battle WFH Loneliness for Employers 

1. Create a virtual water cooler

As an employer, transforming virtual spaces into hubs for casual, non-work-related conversations can foster a sense of belonging and community. This digital break room enables employees to share life's moments, hobbies, and laughs, echoing the spontaneous exchanges by the office water cooler. Integrate tools like Donut and Doozy for this. These can help facilitate connections, allowing for a range of activities from virtual coffee breaks to happy hours. 

2. Promote learning and development

Encouraging your employees to pursue learning opportunities together can boost morale and foster a culture of growth. Online courses, webinars, and virtual conferences provide platforms for professional development, while a virtual book club can spark enriching discussions, helping employees connect over shared interests and new knowledge.

3. Schedule regular check-ins

It is critical to have a rhythm of regular, scheduled interactions with your team members and their managers — as well as peers. These check-ins can range from formal one-on-ones to more informal virtual coffee breaks. The goal is to create a relaxed environment where you can connect on a personal level. This will help break down the barriers that remote work has likely built up.

4. Prioritise virtual team building

Organising virtual team-building activities can greatly improve team unity and decrease loneliness. Tasks like solving puzzles together or undertaking a quiz provide everyone with a shared experience. These experiences, in turn, help build stronger bonds that can make the team feel more unified, even when it’s remote.

5. Create a mentorship program

As an employer, you can offer a mentor-mentee program in the company to foster healthy relationships amongst your team. This can not only help reduce feelings of isolation, especially amongst new hires but also promote professional development for both parties involved.

6. Offer office hours for casual conversations

Setting aside a few hours for informal chats during regular office timings can be a great way to foster conversations about things besides work. It can help the employees feel more connected to each other, building trust, rapport, and a sense of community within the company. 

In the digital era, where the boundaries between work and home become blurred, tackling WFH loneliness is essential for sustaining a healthy, engaged, and dynamic workforce. WFH loneliness is not solely an individual responsibility but a collective one. By actively seeking connection, supporting one another, and adopting innovative solutions, we can forge a remote work environment that is not only productive but also deeply rewarding.