Loneliness, which is connected to social well-being, has implications for communities and workplaces globally. It can impact an individual's mental and physical health in many known ways, therefore bringing down their ability to thrive. Cigna Healthcare measures vitality, also known as the energy and strength that allows people to thrive, through their proprietary Evernorth Vitality Index. According to Gallup, 1 in 5 individuals are affected by loneliness. This comes with detrimental effects for workplaces.
Loneliness in the workplace stems from lacking a sense of purpose, feeling undervalued, or lacking connection to their team – for example, not having regular support, outreach or collaboration. Workers experiencing loneliness often suffer silently, without asking for assistance.
In considering the impact from an employer perspective, loneliness can drastically impact the way employees show up to work. Oxford Academic, Occupational Medicine cites research that indicates workplace loneliness was associated with lower job performance, reduced job satisfaction and burnout. According to The Cigna Group's Loneliness Study, which focuses on the United States, workers who aren't lonely are significantly more likely than lonely workers to say they are willing to work harder to help their company succeed (74% vs. 63%). Managers have a vested interest in safeguarding their staff against loneliness.
By offering proactive support, employers can ensure that their workers come to work feeling more positive and engaged, leading to higher productivity and desirable business outcomes.
The Cigna Healthcare International Health report finds that globally, just under 40% of those surveyed said they 'sometimes' or 'always' feel left out of a group. Moreover, the study indicates that just over 40% of respondents feel they lack companionship. Social connections such as family support, strong friendships, and shared experiences boosts mental health. When social well-being falls short, loneliness can increase, showing up in a variety of ways.
As part of this research, we found globally mobiles (those living and working overseas from their home country) are more likely to lack companionship and feel left out than locals. In our well-being survey, 43% of expatriates felt left out 'often or sometimes,' whereas 38% of locals indicated the same. Our globally mobile report shares how employees who are on international assignments might struggle with social support. This is, in part, due to a lack of supportive network once they move to a new country, having left behind family and friends.
Loneliness varies by generation, however it's highest among Gen Z and Millennials. 46% of individuals surveyed globally who were aged 18-24 indicated feeling 'left out' of a group of people, versus 43% of individuals aged 25-44. This was compared to only 39% of people globally. Individuals experiencing lower levels of well-being also tend to have higher levels of loneliness. This indicates that by taking actionable steps to address feelings of isolation, individuals might be able to boost their overall state of feeling well.
Globally, trends show that loneliness is more pronounced in the United States than anywhere else. 47% of those surveyed in the U.S. said they 'always' or 'sometimes' lack companionship, while 55% of individuals coming to work or live from overseas in the U.S. said they had a lot in common with those around them. Our data depicts that globally mobiles are much less likely than locals to say they had things in common with those around them, contributing to loneliness within this cohort.
The Cigna Group's Loneliness Study discusses the pervasive struggle in America and how people of all ages present differently. In our recent international well-being study, 48% of those in the United Kingdom indicated feeling left out, and 44% in Singapore indicated the same. Those in Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium rated themselves as feeling less lonely, with more people saying they have things in common with others around them.
Overall, trends indicate there is a need for employers to pay attention. But how exactly should managers and businesses address it proactively?
Loneliness can result in the workplace for a number of reasons. It can stem from lacking a sense of purpose, feeling overworked, or from toxic work environments where collaboration isn't rewarded or prioritised. Technology and remote work can affect individuals differently, especially if they are extraverted and value face to face interaction versus individuals who lean introverted.
Our workforce research highlights that hybrid and remote workers report better work/life balance, indicating that employees feel more supported in terms of meeting family and personal commitments compared to those in fully in-person roles. However, workers who are fully remote are more at risk for feeling isolated. Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report found that 25% of remote employees experience daily loneliness, compared to 16% of fully onsite employees.
It's important to note that managers play an important role in ensuring employees are engaged at work and feel valued. We put together tips for managers and employers to consider when managing teams, helping individuals to thrive.
Treating loneliness at the root cause comes down to prioritising social well-being and mental health. Maintaining relationships, making new connections, spending time in nature, and cognitive behavioural therapy can all help with combatting loneliness and addressing the root cause of social isolation.
Employers can help by providing the right resources to mental health professionals, facilitating a positive work environment through collaboration and transparency, and prioritising learning and development to ensure employees feel challenged.
Managers and employers play a large role in creating a positive environment for employees. When people come to work, they are inclined to believe that their employer has a vested interest in their well-being. Social well-being is just one element of overall wellbeing, but when employers make the vitality of their people a priority, employees come to work as their best selves, ready to help their organisations thrive.
Cigna Healthcare surveyed more than 10,000 respondents in 11 markets – the US, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Kenya, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the Hong Kong SAR from May 9-27, 2024 in collaboration with YouGov – a global public opinion and data company. The nationally representative online survey assessed the health, vitality and well-being of more than 1,000 adults (aged 18 years and older) in each of these markets - US, UK, Spain, UAE, Singapore and the Hong Kong SAR, and more than 500 adults per market in Kenya, Belgium, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland.
The Evernorth Vitality Index© (EVI) has been developed in partnership with leading clinical psychologist and author Dr. Richard Ryan. It gives a comprehensive measure of people's capacity to pursue life with health, strength, and energy. This is closely aligned with our mission to improve the health and vitality of those we serve around the world. We asked a series of questions to gauge respondents' sense of social, occupational, financial, intellectual, spiritual/purpose, emotional, and environmental well-being.
Respondents were also asked to rate their well-being across seven pillars: family, financial, mental, physical, social, spiritual, work well-being, and overall well-being, with ratings ranging from “poor”, “fair”, and “good” to “very good” and “excellent”.
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