Loneliness in the workplace is becoming one of the most pressing challenges facing employers today. Whether your team is remote, hybrid or fully office-based, people can feel disconnected and unsupported if social connections aren’t nurtured. And while the shift to more flexible working has brought many benefits, it has also created new risks around isolation and reduced team cohesion.
The good news? There are practical steps you can take to create a more connected, inclusive working environment, without simply forcing everyone back into the office five days a week. Serviced offices can help with this, as they facilitate thoughtful workspace design and culture-building initiatives, making it possible to tackle loneliness. Read on to explore how to prevent loneliness in the workplace and foster stronger bonds within your team…
Research by the British Red Cross found that around one in ten workers often feel lonely at work, while 45% experience loneliness at least some of the time. These figures underline how loneliness at work is not just rare discomfort - it's increasingly widespread, especially as remote and hybrid working structures reduce everyday social contact. The rise of remote and hybrid working models has removed many of the casual, everyday interactions that previously helped people feel part of a team in their daily life.
In addition, a study by Mental Health UK, found that one in five workers feel lonely at work on a typical working day, and 23% agreed that loneliness had negatively affected their mental health. The impact of loneliness isn’t just emotional, though. It can increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, cognitive decline, and premature death, with some researchers equating the health effects of chronic loneliness to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Without proactive measures, these feelings can develop into long-term loneliness, leading to higher stress levels, lower engagement, and reduced well-being. Therefore, it’s essential to take action to help ensure your team is as healthy, happy, and connected as possible.
Loneliness at work is rarely about being physically alone. It’s often caused by a lack of meaningful social interaction, recognition or inclusion. Common contributing factors include:
Understanding what causes workplace loneliness is the first step towards designing strategies that actively prevent it.
Creating a workplace that supports connection doesn’t mean forcing constant social activity. It means giving your team opportunities to interact meaningfully - whether in person or virtually - and fostering a culture of trust and inclusion where everyone feels they belong.
Here are five practical, people-focused steps to help prevent loneliness at work and improve your team’s wellbeing:
Flexible working is here to stay, but that doesn’t mean in-person interaction should be overlooked. Casual catch-ups and spontaneous conversations are often the foundation of strong team dynamics. Encouraging regular office days, in-person meetings instead of virtual, or informal meet-ups can help maintain these bonds.
At Orega, our serviced offices are built for these moments - from light-filled meeting rooms to inviting communal areas, we make it easy for teams to reconnect in person. Whether you’re hosting a team away day or weekly brainstorming session, our spaces are designed to support collaboration and natural interaction.
The design and location of your office can play a vital role in how socially connected your people feel. All Orega offices are located in central, easy-to-reach destinations like Birmingham, Manchester, London, Newcastle and Leeds - ideal for businesses that want their teams to come together more easily.
But it’s not just about convenience. Many of our locations host regular networking and social events, giving people a chance to connect beyond their immediate teams. From casual breakfasts and food markets to monthly networking events and festive gatherings, these interactions help to foster relationships that go beyond purely work-based communication.
Beyond events, our buildings offer access to beautifully designed communal spaces, like kitchens, lounges and atriums - where spontaneous conversations can happen throughout the day. And our friendly reception teams and building managers create a welcoming environment that helps your employees feel seen and supported. A warm greeting in the morning or a friendly face at reception may seem small, but it can make a big difference in tackling loneliness at work.
Designing against loneliness starts with making everyone feel considered. That means creating a space that welcomes different working styles and personalities - whether someone thrives in quiet focus zones or prefers more open, collaborative workspaces.
At Orega, we’re known for best-in-class office amenities and thoughtfully planned interiors that put people first. From soundproofed booths to shared lounge areas, we ensure everyone has space to work comfortably and connect with others on their terms. We can help you work out how much office space you need to ensure you can accommodate your team in the most inclusive way.
Embedding social connection into your hybrid or office-based routines helps ensure it isn’t just an afterthought. Many businesses are now introducing anchor days - regular in-office days when everyone is encouraged to be onsite - or scheduling team collaboration and development days throughout the month.
These models give people permission to prioritise connection and collaboration, without compromising the flexibility of remote work. And when paired with a welcoming, well-equipped office environment, they make a real difference to morale, communication and team cohesion.
If your organisation is encouraging people back into the office, the focus should be on the benefits - not the obligation. Returning to the workplace should feel meaningful, not mandatory.
Highlighting the value of in-person connection, whether it’s shared lunches, collaborative working sessions, or simply catching up over coffee, can help reframe the office as a space for belonging and support. At Orega, our spaces are designed to make coming into work something to look forward to, not something to endure. It’s not about filling desks - it’s about reconnecting people.
Workplace loneliness isn’t just a cultural issue - it’s a spatial one too. Office design, location, and layout all influence how easily people can connect with each other. As our luxury office guide explains, offices that feel professional, comfortable and welcoming encourage people to return and re-engage.
At Orega, our serviced offices are designed with wellbeing in mind. From spacious lounges to hosted networking events and professional support teams, everything is in place to help your people feel part of a thriving work community.
In a world where flexible and remote working are the norm, it’s more important than ever to design against loneliness. That means being intentional about how and where your teams connect. With the right office space, events, and policies in place, you can create a work environment that supports both autonomy and belonging, and where no one feels isolated.
Looking for a workspace that helps your team feel more connected? Discover our flexible office solutions: fully serviced offices across the UK - and find a space that helps you to tackle workplace loneliness.