How to reduce social isolation when working remotely

For many people, work plays a major part of their social life. But does your workplace offer the social connections you are looking for?
69% of workers say they are unhappy with their social connections at work. A study revealed that those aged 18-24 and 45-54 are the loneliest in the country, despite making up a significant chunk of Australia’s workforce.

For remote workers, developing connections with your colleagues can be even more challenging.

While working from home has many benefits, it can be much harder to form social connections with your colleagues.

So, what are the dangers of social isolation at work, and what are some tips to reduce it when working remotely?

What are the consequences of social isolation at work?

Those who feel socially connected are more likely to be engaged and productive at work. They are also less likely to suffer from burnout and change jobs less frequently.

More broadly, those who are socially isolated have increased risk of anxiety, depression and heart disease.

What are some ways to reduce social isolation when working remotely?

Work outside your home

If your job is fully remote, consider working outside your home at least once a week. For example, you could work from a local coffee shop or library. Even if you don’t interact with anyone else, being around others can help you to create a sense of community.

Use video calls

Communicate with colleagues by video call rather than a phone call or email. Video calls provide non-verbal cues, tone of voice and facial expressions that are essential for building rapport. Therefore, make sure your camera is turned on! Simply seeing other people’s faces can help reduce social isolation.

Schedule after-work social activities

If you work remotely, opportunities to interact with others may not come as naturally. Therefore, you need to create your own social opportunities.

Maintaining your social connections outside of work is more important than ever. Consider having dinner or drinks with family and friends after work.

If you are feeling isolated, try to find ways to meet new people outside of work. For example, you could become involved in a hobby group or volunteering organisation. Staying active is also a great way to meet new people while boosting your mental health. For example, you could join a local running club or attend a group fitness class.

Attend in person-gatherings

If your organisation offers any in-person gatherings, try to attend these if possible. If none are offered, you could look to create some yourself.

Look for other opportunities to attend in-person events such as professional development workshops or networking events. Joining a professional association is a great way to locate these types of events.

Before attending a networking event you can plan who you will talk to and what you will talk about to help reduce your nerves. This can help you feel more confident and connected.

Working from home doesn’t have to lead to social isolation. By following the tips above, you can remain connected to others while enjoying the benefits of working from home.

At Public Service Resumes, our career development coaching helps job seekers find the right balance between convenience and connection. We also have professional resume writers in Melbourne and across Australia. We offer tailored resume writing, cover letter writing and LinkedIn profile writing to help you achieve your career goals.