Almost 60 Percent of Employees Feel Isolated at Work, According to ComPsych Survey

As holidays kick into high gear, largest EAP provides tips for connecting at work and at home

CHICAGO – Dec. 10, 2018 – Some 57 percent of employees say they feel isolated at work, according to a Tell It NowSM survey released by ComPsych® Corporation today. The majority of employees said more social events or “down time” to casually interact would most help reduce feelings of isolation. ComPsych is the world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs and is the pioneer and worldwide leader of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR, FMLA and absence management services under its GuidanceResources® brand.

Of the 57% of employees who say they feel isolated at work, here is what they said would most help improve the situation:

• 26% said – More social events
• 32% said – More “down time” and opportunity to casually interact
• 18% said – Getting involved in volunteering or other causes
• 13% said – More cross-departmental projects
• 10% said – Different workspace setup (less offices, more interaction)
• 1% said – More meetings

“Loneliness and social isolation can be precursors to depression, anxiety and especially substance abuse,” said Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, Founder, Chairman and CEO of ComPsych. “Half of all adults are now single, so many do not have the support of – or interaction with – a family at home, which makes the social environment of the workplace even more important. There are a number of ways in which an employer’s EAP can help.”

Among the resources ComPsych provides to address loneliness are:

• Skills-based counseling to help people build better relationships both socially and at work

• On-site training sessions, which bring people together but also can cover topics such as “Loneliness and Social Isolation In Today’s World,” “Mental Health Awareness” and “Becoming a Team Player,” which ComPsych provides

• More intensive counseling for the “downstream” effects of loneliness – depression, anxiety and substance abuse – while addressing the underlying causes such as social isolation

ComPsych is also reminding customers and their employees to take advantage of the holidays for social gatherings at work but also to provide guidance for employees of ways to better connect with their friends and extended families. For a list of tips, please send an email to jhudson@compsych.com.   

About ComPsych

ComPsych® Corporation is the world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs (EAP) and is the pioneer and worldwide leader of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR, FMLA and absence management services under its GuidanceResources® brand. ComPsych provides services to more than 45,000 organizations covering more than 100 million individuals throughout the U.S. and 160 countries. By creating “Build-to-Suit” programs, ComPsych helps employers attract and retain employees, increase employee productivity and improve overall health and well-being.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jennifer Hudson
ComPsych® Corporation
312-595-4048
jhudson@compsych.com
www.compsych.com