Remote work was welcomed by everyone when it was introduced during the initial days of the pandemic. It was more of a necessity to keep the wheels of business turning. Remote employees loved the savings in commuting time as well as focusing on their work without the disturbance and interruptions of an open-plan office. This is continuing to date with remote working as well as hybrid working being added to the regular way of working in offices and the employee is being asked to choose his preferred method.
However, as times pass employees start feeling lonely. The interactions with other team members happen only by virtual meetings, chats or emails. people start feeling isolated and miss real face-to-face interactions with others. For some time, you connect on social media and catch up with your friends and their families, celebrate events virtually over social media but it can never replace the real thing. You start becoming isolated.
Loneliness is the distress you feel when you perceive a chasm between the connections you want and the relationships you have at the moment both in terms of quality and volume. Here are a few steps you can take to address these gaps.
Understand your needs.
First, understand what this loneliness means for you. This is necessary as the way one deals with loneliness will be unique to the person who feels lonely.
Consider what you need to feel connected, and what type of interactions you enjoy. It could be that you are still connecting with others on a day-to-day basis but what you may be missing is the watercooler conversation or finding ways to remain connected with people, you consider important, regularly.
Examine your options.
Once you have identified what is missing, it is now necessary to analyse what options are available to you to make good your need for social connections. Ask yourself questions like
- What are the avenues I have not explored or exploited fully?
- What are the adjustments I need to make to fulfil my needs?
- Are there any new resources or opportunities that I need to learn about to fulfil my needs?
Challenge yourself to look for multiple options. Build a shortlist of these options and identify which options can be implemented immediately with little effort and cost.
Take the first step.
Select one option that seems to be best suited to your requirements. Your new options or ideas can also help you accelerate your professional development, make use of existing connections, make new connections or even broaden your perspectives.
Taking the first step would help you put your ideas into action. As you begin, pay attention to how you feel. If you still feel lonely talk to your peers or coworkers about your feelings.
Monitor your physical and mental health and if you or someone close to you feels that remote work is hurting your health, consult a doctor immediately.
It could be quite difficult to strike the right balance between working in the office and working remotely. However, do not ignore a situation that leads to stress or anxiety. Your work does matter and how you work is even more important but your health and physical well-being is paramount.
Is Your Remote Job Making You Lonely?
by Octavia Goredema
HBR 2023/03
R2G 