Younger adults are experiencing loneliness more often
When leading a change promotion, it is worth noting that those colleagues with strong social networks are more likely to be resilient to change than those with weak ones.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 5% of adults in England said they felt lonely ‘often’ or ‘always’ between 2016 and 2017. Younger adults (those aged 16 to 24) were found to experience loneliness more often than those in older age groups; while women, widows, single people, renters and those with poor health were also identified as more susceptible.
A colleague can be surrounded by a busy factory line, buzzing contact centre or packed warehouse canteen and still feel lonely.
As employers, especially those going through, or planning change really need to work hard to build up social networks at work, friendships and support groups.
Some ideas include:
· Set up events to support a local charity where colleagues can volunteer in and out of work time
· Establish mix and mingle sessions
· If going through change, signpost to support groups, have a buddy system
· Check out your working area or local community – are there places where colleagues can sit and chat away from their working environment
For more information on how to build social networks as part of a corporate health and wellbeing programme check out www.letsgetahealthy.co.uk
