Friendship offers a novel return to office argument among rising loneliness

A growing body of research is highlighting an overlooked argument for bringing workers back to the office: the profound benefits of workplace friendships. Remote work has fed GenZ’s desire for autonomy and flexibility, yet it's becoming clear that younger workers are exhibiting much higher rates of loneliness compared to prior generations.

The culprit? A lack of social bonds formed in physical workplaces. Studies reveal that after school, the office is the second most common place people meet close friends. Yet the remote work revolution has effectively quashed this traditional pathway to human connection. Young professionals working from home simply don't conceive of the office as a place to socialize and cultivate friendships.

• Not getting better: 87% of employees are struggling with mental health challenges. (Employee Benefits News)

This workplace isolation carries substantial costs. Loneliness has been linked to higher employee turnover, lower productivity and engagement, and even mental health challenges. For companies already struggling to attract and retain Gen Z talent, providing opportunities for coworker bonding could represent a powerful new incentive as the battle for skilled labor intensifies.

• Some employees are struggling with the return to office. Now, the workplace etiquette industry is booming. (CNN Business)

Bottom Line: Companies would be wise to emphasize the social opportunities of in-person collaboration as a talent recruitment and retention tool. From revamping office layouts to encourage spontaneous interactions to organized team building events, leveraging the innate human craving for connection could prove to be a secret weapon for firms seeking a competitive edge in today's tight labor market.