Summary of Issue
- Isolation: Working from home can lead to social isolation and feelings of disconnection and loneliness.
- Lack of Boundaries: Difficulty separating work and personal life can increase stress and reduce social interactions.
- Reduced Team Cohesion: Limited face-to-face interactions can weaken team dynamics and collaboration.
Introduction
The shift to remote work has brought about significant changes in how people interact and maintain social connections. Working from home merges your physical living space with your working space, and the transition to virtual communication makes work available 24/7. While working from home offers flexibility and convenience, it also presents challenges that can impact social well-being. Understanding these barriers and exploring solutions can help individuals foster better social connections and improve their overall well-being while working remotely.
Why the Barrier Exists
Several factors contribute to the social disconnection experienced by individuals working from home:
- Isolation: The lack of daily face-to-face interactions with colleagues can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
- Lack of Boundaries: The blurring of work and personal life boundaries can increase stress and reduce time for social activities.
- Reduced Team Cohesion: Limited in-person meetings and casual interactions can weaken team dynamics and hinder collaboration.
- Technological Challenges: Reliance on digital communication can lead to misunderstandings and a lack of personal connection.
Stat from the 2023 Canadian Social Connection Survey: According to the survey, Canadians who reported spending no time with colleagues and/or classmates were 1.22 times more likely to be lonely than those who spent even less than an hour with colleagues/classmates per week. More time with colleagues/classmates correlates with less reported loneliness, as Canadians who spent no time with colleagues were 1.32 times more likely to be lonely than those who spent 5+ hours with colleagues per week.
Recommended Solutions
To reduce the negative impact of working from home on social connections, consider these strategies:
- Establish a Routine: Set a daily schedule that includes regular breaks and a clear end to the workday to maintain work-life balance.
- Utilize Video Calls: Use video conferencing for meetings to maintain face-to-face interactions with colleagues.
- Create Social Opportunities: Organize virtual coffee breaks, team-building activities, or after-work online gatherings to foster social connections.
- Engage in Physical Activities: Incorporate physical activities, such as walking or exercise, into your routine to improve mental well-being and reduce stress.
- Join Online Communities: Participate in online forums, professional groups, or social media communities to connect with others and share experiences.
By establishing a structured routine, engaging in virtual interactions, and seeking support services, individuals working from home can reduce the negative impacts on their social lives and foster stronger, more meaningful connections.
Expert Insight
A 2022 study conducted at Simon Fraser University found that “loneliness and lack of social support come out as leading contributors to burnout, perhaps just as important — if not moreso — than physical health and financial security.” (Card, 2022)
Community Resources/Solutions
To help manage the impact of working from home, various organizations and groups provide support and opportunities for social connection:
- Remote Workers Meetup
- Description: A platform for remote workers to connect, share experiences, and participate in virtual and in-person events.
- How it Helps: Encourages social interaction and networking among remote workers.
- Contact Information: Visit website for local group details.
- The Remote Work Association
- Description: Supports remote workers through advocacy, resources, and community-building initiatives.
- How it Helps: Offers webinars, online courses, and networking opportunities to help remote workers connect and thrive.
- Contact Information: Email: [email protected]
- GenWell
- Description: Is Canada’s Human Connection Movement and is working to educate, empower and catalyze Canadians around the importance of their social health.
- How it Helps: They provide tips, tools, resources and campaigns that can inspire social connection for all Canadians
- Contact Information: Visit website at www.GenWell.ca for more information.
- Meetup
- Description: A platform for finding and building local communities, connecting people with similar interests.
- How it Helps: Encourages participation in local social groups and events, reducing isolation in shared living environments.
- Contact Information: Visit website for local group details.
- Volunteer Canada
- Description: Connects individuals with volunteer opportunities across Canada, fostering community engagement.
- How it Helps: Provides opportunities to meet new people and build social connections through volunteering.
- Contact Information: Email: [email protected]
Further Reading
- Work-life Balance: Make it your business published by the Canadian Mental Health Association.
- Leading With Mental Health in Mind: Tips for Managers in a Hybrid Workplace published by the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
- “Burnout and isolation: Why employees and managers can’t ignore the social and mental health impact of working from home”; published in The Conversation.
- “Loneliness and social support as key contributors to burnout among Canadians workers in the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study”; published in the Journal of Occupational Health.