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Connecting in the Workplace - A Survey into loneliness

Lendlease have recently partnered with Collectively on an 18-month project, The Loneliness Lab. The project aims to tackle the issue of loneliness in London and work together to find collaborative solutions. From small acorns, the Lab now includes over 40 organisations and 100 individuals who are collaborating to make cities like London less lonely. 

As part of the project, Connecting in the Workplace is a new research study into loneliness in the workplace that aims to find out how workplace friendships and relationships affect loneliness. The study is a collaborative effort between IQL, Buro Happold and British Red Cross.

Loneliness is a serious issue for modern society. A study by Vivek Murthy indicates that it has the same effect on early mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Whether you work from home or in an office, the workplace can be lonely. To what degree do meaningful friendships at work lead to an improved feeling of wellbeing? The survey aims to find out how the design of a working environment can impact these relationships and have a positive or negative effect on how people feel.

The study will be carried out by Dr Nigel Oseland, Environmental Psychologist, and Workplace Consultant. The hope is that the findings can then provide detailed design guidance for workplaces in the UK. Guidance that will help UK businesses and organisations to mitigate workplace loneliness for their employees.

If you’d like to take part and help with our research, visit the survey’s website.  

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