COVID-19 has underlined the issue of mental and emotional loneliness within our society and is a growing worry for employers and Government. With millions of us having been forced to self-isolate and keep socially distant from even our nearest and dearest, it is an even more pressing challenge.
Despite the devastating suffering that loneliness causes millions of people in the UK, we don’t readily talk about it, especially not in the workplace.
Perhaps that’s because it cuts to the very core of us as humans and makes us feel uncomfortable, or because it’s too often stigmatised as a weakness, an inability to function in society. Or perhaps we think it doesn’t impact us – it’s invisible so we don’t see it around us every day and whilst we know it exists, many think it’s an issue that only impacts the elderly.
Whatever the reasons, loneliness is a growing issue that we can no longer afford to ignore. Estimates put the annual cost of loneliness at over £32bn to the UK economy and over £2.5bn for employers. The Government set out a strategy at the end of 2018, including the appointment of a minister for loneliness, and calls for all stakeholders to pull together to tackle this issue. COVID-19 now presents an opportune time for employers to put the issue firmly on the agenda.
Even before the unprecedented upheavals of the past few months, the way we live and work has been fast changing. Whilst technology allows us to work more flexibly and do much of our day-to-day activities such as shopping online, it limits our opportunities for ‘real’ human interaction.
The number of people living on their own has increased by 16% in the last 20 years. It’s no surprise that a survey by the Mental Health Foundation found that 48% of us believe people are getting lonelier in general.
How does loneliness impact our health?
This persistent loneliness can increase the risk of developing serious health issues and is increasingly being recognised as one of our most pressing public health issues:
- Loneliness is as bad for health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and worse than obesity, increasing the risk of premature death by 29%
- It is linked to increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, depression, cognitive decline and dementia
- It increases stress hormones impacting the immune function
- It can negatively impact mental health, playing a role in mental disorders such as anxiety, paranoia and depression. More than a third of us (42%) have felt depressed because we felt alone
- It increases the chances of indulging in risky habits such as drug-taking .
- It is also a known risk factor in suicide
What can employers do?
We know loneliness costs employers significant amounts through ill health associated with loneliness, the impact on carers, lower productivity and increased employee turnover. But why take action, and what can be done?
- Employees who are struggling with loneliness often can’t play their full part in society or at work which means both they and the employer miss out. This negatively impacts productivity through increased presenteeism and potentially absenteeism.
- Chronic loneliness can lead to serious health concerns such as coronary heart disease, stroke and depression. The increased healthcare costs and absence resulting from this can be prevented.
- We are increasingly becoming an agile workforce with record levels of home working. Careful thought needs to be given to how we can support people to have good relationships in and out of work despite this trend.
- We have a duty of care towards our employees. Tackling this issue can help them be productive at work and more resilient in themselves both at work and home.
- The workplace is an ideal setting to tackle this issue. Employers can play a crucial role supporting the social wellbeing of the people that work for them.
- Loneliness is a multi-agenda issue affecting health and wellbeing, corporate social responsibility, diversity and inclusion and other areas. Much of the support will already be in place but will require a focus to ensure it is helping to eliminate loneliness.
If the issues in this article have raised questions on how you deal with loneliness in your employees, see the sister article, Combatting Loneliness, in this edition of the International Risk Club bulletin, or send your questions to our panel of experts at [email protected]