The shift to remote work has been a significant change for many, with some employees embracing a fully remote setup, others adopting a hybrid model, and some returning to the office. Regardless of the format, a distributed workforce can often lead to feelings of loneliness. For many employees, the transition to remote work during the pandemic was particularly challenging, especially for those who were new to their jobs or living far from family and friends. Fast-forward to today, many workers continue to face similar feelings of isolation. So, what can leaders do to help employees navigate the loneliness of a remote or hybrid workplace?
Our recent guest, Nicole Blevins, says loneliness isn’t a lost cause. Leaders can implement the following strategies to boost morale, job performance, belonging, and community no matter where their employees happen to work.
GUEST AT A GLANCE
Nicole Blevins is the Senior HR Services Manager at Xenium HR. She leverages her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida, a Master’s in HR from Rollins College, and specialized training in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the University of South Florida.
PODCAST EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
#1 Building a Sense of Community
Building a sense of community in hybrid and remote workplaces is crucial for combating loneliness and fostering connection. According to the Stanford Social Innovation Review, “Community is not a place, a building, or an organization, nor is it an exchange of information over the Internet. Community is both a feeling and a set of relationships among people. People form and maintain communities to meet common needs.” This means that creating a community requires effort and intentional relationship-building.
According to guest Nicole Blevins, organizations often assume that having a common mission or working in the same company automatically creates a community, but that’s not the case. She explained, “It’s not just something you can say or say — […] you have to work to really build those connections.”
More specifically, onboarding plays a vital role in the process of building community. A positive onboarding experience can significantly impact a new employee’s sense of belonging and reduce the likelihood of early turnover. But without effective onboarding strategies that reflect the organization’s unique culture and values, leaders can’t expect to see positive change. Some companies use “get to know you” forms for new hires to share with the team. Other approaches include cross-functional meet-and-greets, where new employees meet leaders and contributors from different departments to understand the organization better. Lastly, buddy programs pair new hires with experienced employees for guidance and support, fostering a sense of belonging and easing the transition.
These practices not only help new employees integrate but also strengthen the overall community, reducing feelings of isolation and enhancing job satisfaction and performance.
#2 Touching Base
To combat loneliness in hybrid and remote workplaces, it’s essential to regularly check in with your people. Leaders can check the pulse of their people through one-on-one meetings and employee surveys.
Holding regular one-on-ones with employees helps leaders understand how their people are feeling and offer support. These meetings provide a valuable touchpoint, allowing managers to ask direct questions about employees’ well-being and offer resources to help them cope with work or personal stressors. Of course, regularly scheduled one-on-ones help employees feel connected and supported, making them less likely to feel isolated. According to Nicole Blevins, managers must prioritize these meetings, even if they are short, to maintain consistent communication and connection.
In the same way, conducting regular employee surveys or “pulse checks” is another effective way to gauge the overall mood and morale of the workforce. Surveys can reveal trends and provide data on how employees are feeling over time, helping organizations identify periods of low morale or increased stress. This data can help inform strategies to address issues and improve employee engagement and happiness.
Regular one-on-one meetings and surveys help leaders to both understand and address employee loneliness, ultimately fostering a more connected and supportive work environment.
#3 Connecting to the Broader Mission
When working from a distance, how can leaders be intentional about helping their people see that they’re a part of something much bigger than themselves?
One way to do so is through recognition by both peers and leaders. But just acknowledging employees’ efforts isn’t enough — it’s also about tying that recognition to the company’s core values and mission. When this recognition highlights how an individual’s actions have contributed to the company’s mission, it enhances the employee’s sense of purpose and connection, and this “spreads like wildfire,” Nicole says.
#4 Being Intentional about Relationships
In hybrid and remote workplaces, relationships are crucial for combating loneliness. Proactively reaching out to your team members, even for informal check-ins, can foster stronger connections and a sense of belonging among your people, no matter how far apart they are.
Be mindful, though, that people experiencing loneliness often hide their feelings. Instead of accepting surface-level responses in your one-on-one time, ask specific questions and offer genuine support. A more thorough approach helps uncover underlying issues and provides an opportunity for meaningful connections.
Leaders can also encourage and incentivize conversations among colleagues from outside of the immediate team. A quick 30-minute call to catch up can significantly impact relationship-building across the organization, a practice that not only enhances professional relationships but also supports personal well-being by creating a broader network of connections.
#5 Providing the Right Perks
Leaders have the power to implement structures, processes, and philosophies that help combat loneliness. But going the extra mile by providing applicable initiatives for employees is essential. This includes offering perks and benefits specifically aimed at reducing loneliness, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that provide access to counseling or therapy. Empowering employees with these resources enables them to take proactive steps to address their well-being, especially when they’re feeling disconnected due to a remote or hybrid workplace
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Xenium HR is helping businesses navigate the new world of remote work. Learn more about our custom HR support services at XeniumHR.com.