Workers in the United States have long struggled with a wide range of concerns stemming from job security worries, political interference, and economic uncertainty, but it appears that feelings of loneliness are among the most common challenges faced by employees. But can employers do anything to ease the worries of their staff?

According to a recent study of 2,000 US adults in employment, 64% of workers have experienced feelings of loneliness at work, while 46% wish that they were closer to their colleagues.

With around one in four Americans suggesting that they don’t have a single friend at work, it’s clear that the working lives of staff can be challenging.

It’s clear that the shift to remote work among many businesses throughout the US has prompted fresh problems for workers who struggle with loneliness but are attracted to the economic advantages of working from home. But can employers turn to technology to help support their workers who may be feeling isolated?

Data shows that 46% of employees report a likelihood to quit their jobs due to loneliness, with even higher percentages exhibited by Gen Z and Millennial workers.

On the flip side, engaged and happy teams have been found to be 21% more profitable for their companies, showing that making an effort to improve communication and collaboration tools among remote workers could be a highly rewarding measure.

But how can employers effectively combat staff loneliness? Let’s take a deeper look at how technology is building happiness by bridging communication gaps.

Restore Avenues for Communication

Because remote work closes many different traditional avenues for communication, it’s the responsibility of business owners to ensure that staff interactions remain as organic outside of the office as they do in-house.

According to a 2021 survey of remote workers, three in five respondents reported poor-quality communication with coworkers, while 77% suggested that better communication can build a stronger work culture.

This calls for a more proactive approach from employers. While restoring communication structures can be as simple as leveraging regular formal and informal catch-ups among managers and wider teams, it can also greatly improve company culture by setting up regular digital bonding sessions that focus on extracurricular activities such as video games, movie reviews, or even food classes.

The great thing about these added opportunities for communication is that technology can offset the time constraints involved in setting up these interactions.

Artificial intelligence tools have the ability to streamline repetitive tasks and automate daily processes in a way that keeps productivity levels high. For instance, using paystub tools can turn payroll management into an autonomous process, helping staff to instead focus on more complex challenges elsewhere.

Improve Appraisal Systems

Loneliness in remote positions can come in many forms and threatens to cause more employees to feel lost within their roles.

Overhauling your appraisal system can not only open a regular avenue for communication between employees and their managers, but it can also improve engagement throughout the entirety of the business hierarchy.

Data from employee recognition platform Achievers suggests that 73% of workers believe that appraisals would inspire them to be more productive, while 64% would reduce their desire to job hunt.

Appraisals can be effective for combating loneliness because they help to mitigate feelings of uncertainty within roles, helping more workers to communicate with their colleagues and managers with confidence while regularly checking in with business leaders.

Automation tools can also help to deliver an effective appraisal system, where employees are evaluated based on their productivity metrics and the competencies they build, ensuring that no workers risk being overlooked for their hard work.

Make Interactions Virtual

Video conferencing should be an essential part of your communication structure if you have remote employees. This can help your staff to work with organic interactions that can be enriched by the body language that’s lost when using only text or audio interactions.

An overreliance on non-video interactions can increase the risk of miscommunication between teams, which may worsen feelings of social isolation among remote workers.

Once again, artificial intelligence can excel in creating virtual watercooler chat environments. With the help of generative AI, businesses can engage in virtual team-building activities like embedded games, company trivia, or social simulations, which can be crucial in building team bonds.

Going the Extra Mile

Striking the right balance between hands-on and hands-off communication strategies with remote employees can be a challenge for business decision-makers.

Employees can enjoy the flexibility of remote work and the freedom to focus on their tasks without distractions. But regular check-ins can be an essential way to support the happiness of workers and nip feelings of loneliness in the bud.

No two employees are the same, so finding the right balance calls for keeping on the lookout for signs of disengagement, which may manifest as burnout. But looking to technology to maintain an organic avenue of communication can be crucial in maintaining a happy and committed workforce long into the future.