The pandemic has made the already longstanding problem of workplace loneliness more prevalent, with workers in the coronavirus age experiencing it at home, says Steve Pemberton, chief human resources officer for the performance management platform Workhuman. “For a while, being home by yourself can feel like a treat,” Pemberton says. “Then the reality begins to set in. We’re beginning to see a longer-term impact on mental health, and that affects productivity and efficiency. A healthy organization can’t achieve without healthy people.”
Pemberton urges that companies ensure their employees are able to connect with mental health professionals by phone. “Many of your employees are dealing with a lot. Many are not fine—far from it,” he says. “Have your antenna up. Employee well-being is another responsibility of leaders. Give it the right amount of attention.”