Loneliness and Isolation in the Workplace as Perceived by Corporate HR Personnel: Insights and Strategies for Prevention

Abstract

This study conducts a survey on workplace loneliness and isolation as perceived by HR personnel, examining how HR personnel perceive loneliness and isolation. Semi-structured interviews with 23 HR personnel from 15 companies revealed that loneliness and isolation were perceived as "a lack of communication and cooperation within the organization, leading to distress and discomfort, with significant individual differences in perception." While prior definitions focused solely on interpersonal relationships, HR personnel also identified "a sense of not being relied upon in work matters," revealing a work-related dimension to these issues. Furthermore, based on responses from HR personnel, the perception of workplace loneliness and isolation was organized into four quadrants based on two axes: "visibility of loneliness and isolation from HR" and "whether employees feel lonely and isolated." Workplace loneliness and isolation were found to be less visible to HR personnel, and there was an issue with individuals not wanting to show their loneliness and isolation. This quadrant framework proposes effective preventive measures against workplace loneliness and isolation.