To think that in years to come there will be studies into the social isolation caused by working from home?

[MySugarBabyLove]

I think that on many levels working from home is beneficial, so I’m not looking at slating the existence of WFH.

But I do believe that in years to come we will start to look at the social isolation that wfh has led to.

It’s already known that people who don’t work, be that because they’re home with the kids, or because they have disabilities are more socially isolated, purely because they just don’t get the same opportunities to speak to people as people do when they’re at work. In fact there have been many threads on here over the years from SAHMs who say they feel lonely and isolated, and the suggestion has been that they should go back to work.

Let’s face it, most of our interactions happen at work, and even if we don’t end up with lasting friendships, we do end up with regular opportunities to interact with people.

And now many people are working from home. And while there are many other benefits, the work/life balance, the ability to go to work without a commute, and be home at a decent hour etc, but I do think that the lack of interaction that WFH has led to should be acknowledged.

I work entirely from home. It works for me because I have a disability as well as another health condition, so while a commute would have been possible, not having to do so does benefit me.

And yet I feel more isolated now than before I started this job. Because although I work with people, a quick chat on teams isn’t a substitute for being able to have a laugh in the office, pass people going in and out, seeing someone at the coffee point.

My job started as WFH, I’ve been there since last July, and I have never and likely will never meet any of my colleagues in person.

And the longer I do it, the more I realise how different it is to when I used to work in an office.

I don’t miss the office politics, but I do think that WFH will possibly have a negative impact on people’s social abilities and their sense of belonging and isolation, and that this is something there will be studies on in the future.

I think some decisions contribute to loneliness in your older years.

So if you are living alone, working from home and dont really have a relationship with your neighbours cos " they're annoying", you dont want to spend time with your siblings because " you've never got along", then it's no surprise when your health starts to fail there isnt a safety net of any kind.

Even with these things you might still be lonely but much less likely if you've made strong ties to people over the years.

There was that news story of that man who now lives alone since his sister died, and was struggling to pay his bills.

There was lots that contributed to that, but he'd never got married or had kids. Not sure if he had ever worked, as he didnt have much cash, and struggled to navigate the benefit system.

I think it's swings and roundabouts. Yes, it will probably lead to some isoliation. But the benefits of flexibility are worth more than that. Lots of people are able to work better and more easily this way and socialising can be found elsewhere (albeit it requires more effort). Also most work places I know allow for some office time if people want it. Turns out mostly they dont!

Botton line, in my view I think the benefits outweigh the negatives, and it's really given people the flexiblility to live better lives in many ways.

I suppose in theory by not commuting you've got more time for social endeavours outside of work in your local area. The problem is that there aren't always good opportunities nearby and I don't think we've all got it in us to make opportunities from nothing.

I work most of the time at home and don’t share your concerns. If you want to have more social interactions you can join clubs, gather with family, build friendships etc…

Those social interactions can be with likeminded people rather than colleagues or clients. Most people have a life outside of work and the real job is to make that fulfilling.

There is social isolation in the workplace too now...because so many people wfh! I make the effort to come into the office Mon-Weds as the 'message' from above was 50% of your working week should be back in the office. It seems this is a loose recommendation that most people don't seem to be taking up though. I am the only one in my particular office (but there are others in the building) today and it's mind numbingly boring. Work is slow at the moment (my manager doesn't give me work to do unless I ask and she's on leave). I work in health research and I think that attracts introverts who love home working. I am not an introvert and love people. I agree that social isolation is problematic for those who aren't introverted OP. The death of pubs will also contribute I think, I was reading a classic book recently and the main centre of human interaction in it was the pub!

I see more people now I work hybrid.

wfh gives me more free time. More time to socialise, hobbies, general relaxation.

A lot of people find the forced socialisation of work, mentally exhausting and so need to recharge when they are off work. So they are isolating themselves, to be able to get through work. That’s hugely isolating.

Personally, I think if most of your interaction comes from being at work and you don’t have time to socialise outside work that’s a big issue. It’s setting you up for future isolation. Most work friends are just that, work friends. Not actual friends. So most will fall by the wayside as people move jobs and retire. Leaving people isolated.

@Nordicrain my office allows us to go in but it’s so hit and miss who else is in that often it’s not worth it. I miss working with my team so much. Don’t assume that because people aren’t going in that they don’t want to 😢.

OP I totally agree with u. Hybrid fine but f/t wfh is not a good idea for many many people - I feel especially sorry for young people just starting out. My work was my social life - I’d have been desperately lonely without it.

There have been studies done about how bad working in offices can be but nothing really changes. Hot desking, open-plan, presenteeism are often terrible for people’s
health, wellbeing and productivity.

The difference is that with WFH, the social isolation is symptomatic of wider problems with the way our lives are set up and society operates, rather than being a problem with the working practice itself. And lots of contemporary reporting suggests how beneficial WFH can be for those traditionally locked out of career progression.

Well, I think SAHMs only feel lonely and isolated if they don’t know any other SAHMs. If there’s a group of you, or even one other, then you can meet up and the kids play while you have a natter.

As more people WFH options may grow. You could choose to WFH with a friend, or meet up for a walk or a coffee at lunch time. With more people around, more facilities and services will open up
making local communities more vibrant and sociable.

we could try to get to know our neighbours better instead of leaving and returning under cover of darkness.

I have met some nice people at work, but so many offices have been miserable soulless grindingly awful places. You waste an hour getting there in stress and discomfort and then sit in a little cubicle prison with no outdoor light, either too cold or too hot, surrounded by irritating people who you would never choose to be friends with.

I’d much prefer to WFH and save my time and energy and spend it enjoying the company of my family and friends instead.

I've become more social since working from home. I do more in the evenings and on weekends than I did when I used to commute.

I can see that for some this may be an issue but I wfh and love it. I don't want to interact with co workers any more than i have to. It was always the worst thing about offices for me.

this! Im more social when I WFH because I have the time and energy to go out after work and do hobbies, see friends etc. I prefer that to mindless chat at the office

Perhaps there will be studies as to the harm caused by building a life around work

About the harm caused when you work so much that your only friends can be work friends

Or about the harm to introverted people
Forced to work in the office

I am very fed up of the endless bashing about working from home
Which is Proven to be more productive
And is Proven to improve work life balance for sone people
And on average will reduce carbon emissions
Yes, Proven not to suit others but we are humans not machines - we are all different not identical robots

Why all the hate about WFH? Because office work exhausts people which makes them spend more on stuff they don't want or need which keeps the rich rich and the poor in their place?
Because crap managers like to see their underlings to gloat ?

If coffee shops and take out lunches were that attractive you could have the shops near where people live rather than the offices and people would still go - but that doesn't work , you need to wear people down before they want to use them

Sure. But there are studies on all sorts of things.

I guess your team don't feel the same though, and why should they be forced in because they are your social life?

People can now work in a way that - generally - gives much more work life balance. People with small children. People will disability. People with chronic illness. All those people can now work in a way that was much more difficult before. Of course that comes with consequences, but the flexibility that gives people is - to me at least - more important than facilitating office socialising.

I do think people need to be more proactive in seeking out socialising outside work now though. But it can be done.

Maybe with more people WFH there will be more people with the time and energy to create better social opportunities. It could go either way.

I'm not sure we need a study, your own post lays out the pros and cons pretty succinctly.
What is needed is an acknowledgement that different people need a different balance between home working and office working, with hybrid models offered wherever possible, and people allowed flexibility and choice so they can create the balance right for them.

I work from home and have done for many years prior to the pandemic. I used to maybe go and visit clients one or two days a week but now with better technology those meetings can just as easily be done on teams/zoom without the need for a 3 hour each way road trip.

I don't feel lonely or isolated because I walk my dog everyday and invariably meet lots of people, I live in a very small village and a walk round there with the dog can take forever and you meet lots of neighbours. I also have a horse and go riding with other people, the yard becomes the social space.

When I used to commute to london I had the social interaction at work but never in the evenings/weekends so much as I never had the time.

WFH has just flipped the social side to outside working hours now.

I think wfh is awful for recent grads and younger folks.

It’s already known that people who don’t work, be that because they’re home with the kids, or because they have disabilities are more socially isolated, purely because they just don’t get the same opportunities to speak to people as people do when they’re at work. In fact there have been many threads on here over the years from SAHMs who say they feel lonely and isolated, and the suggestion has been that they should go back to work.

Do you include retired people in this? I am retired, after the best part of 40 years in full time employment, and I don’t feel isolated. I get as much social interaction as I need.

Yes, this is the group I think are most negatively impacted.

When the inevitable studies do take place, what it finds will depend on who the participants are. It doesn't suit everyone, but if you take this MN sample, the conclusion is, on balance WFH doesn't create loneliness.
Personally, I much prefer not having to waste energy on false relationships with colleagues.

Why should the office be the centre point of your social life in the first place? I don't feel the need to come into the office to be my colleagues' source of interaction; I have a family, hobbies, and friends.

Same as @SpeckledlyHen I worked from home.for years before covid. I then went back to an office job in between.

Im much happier when I work from home as I have an active social life and I do still have a day in the office to see and mix with colleagues.

I think it won't work for some people, but not some widespread problem.