Office relationships decline after years of remote and hybrid work
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — As the world adjusts to remote and hybrid work environments, the traditional concept of “work spouses” and office best friends is fading away.
The focus has shifted towards maintaining a healthier work-life balance and nurturing relationships outside the confines of office walls.
The Wall Street Journal highlights a significant drop in the number of hybrid workers who have a best friend at work, from 22% in 2019 to just 17% in 2022. This trend may signal the end of an era where work relationships mirrored family-like bonds.
Prioritizing work-life balance
For years, companies have touted the importance of office friendships, claiming they increase job satisfaction, loyalty, and productivity. In an effort to entice employees back to the office, many bosses have tried to force “fun” activities on their staff.
However, these attempts are often met with resistance as more people would rather spend time with their actual friends and families. In fact, a Ford survey of over 16,000 people globally found that 60% of American millennials are willing to take a 20% pay cut for improved work-life balance.
As employees settle into remote and hybrid realities, they are realizing the value of maintaining boundaries between their professional and personal lives.
The Workmonitor global survey by talent solutions firm Randstad showed that while 56% consider themselves ambitious, 47% are not focused on career advancement, and 34% are content staying put without managerial responsibilities.
Instead, an overwhelming majority highly value work-life balance (93%), flexible schedules (81%), mental health support (83%), and training opportunities (72%).
Employee disengagement most notable among younger workers
U.S. workforce engagement has declined to its lowest point in over a decade, with 4.8 million fewer employees feeling engaged in their roles as of early 2024, according to a recent Gallup study.
The analytics firm found that only 30% of U.S. workers were “highly engaged” in the first quarter of 2024.
The decline has been most notable among remote, hybrid, and younger workers, especially those under 35 and from Generation Z. This group has reported a six-point decrease in feeling connected to their company’s culture and mission.
Overall, the U.S. now has 1.8 engaged employees for every one actively disengaged, a decrease from the previous year’s ratio of 2.1-to-1.
Experts share strategies to combat workplace loneliness
The rise of remote work has exacerbated feelings of loneliness and isolation among employees, leading to decreased productivity and higher absenteeism rates.
To combat this, workplace experts Rachel Montañez and Tracy Brower offer insights into how individuals and organizations can tackle loneliness, promoting a healthier, more connected workplace.
Montañez suggests practical measures such as reflecting on personal needs, investing in relationships, being selective about social interactions, and fostering connections outside of work.
Brower, on the other hand, emphasizes the role of organizational culture in fostering community and connectedness among remote employees.
