At the time of writing, I am under a 24/7 lockdown equating to home confinement. With my coachees similarly affected, we have transitioned from face-to-face to virtual sessions via video conferencing.  Accustomed to coaching, assessment, feedback provision, and client meetings on an international basis, I have long experienced the effectiveness of such remote sessions. Encouragingly, my first time participants have responded positively, valuing virtual coaching not only for allowing continuance of personal development programmes but also for providing some relief to the loneliness experienced.

While most have been able to list a variety of home working benefits, it is only loneliness that has figured as a disadvantage in the eyes of most. Even when surrounded by family members, loneliness still features as an unwelcome consequence of physical separation and social isolation from co-workers. 

The Problem of Loneliness

In a world increasingly inhabited by digital nomads and freelancers, many choose remote working as a way of life.  However, within the Coronavirus context, remote working has been forced upon many entirely inexperienced in operating virtually as well as possibly unnerved by, and reluctant to entertain, significant change and novelty. 

Resulting feelings of loneliness tend to be exacerbated by frequently inexperienced and somewhat overwhelmed managers and leaders coming to terms with this new scenario by grappling with remote working technology while also introducing new procedures, processes, rules and protocols to get to grips with these uncertain times. In circumstances of such crises, the importance of social connection can be easily overlooked particularly by those managers under financial pressures, and not well versed in the psychology of change. Hence, vulnerable employees may be left in charge of their own remote well-being and destiny at a time when their superiors attempt to gain familiarity with the principles and practices of managing remote workforces.

Even before the advent of COVID-19, remote worker loneliness had been recognised as diluting the utopia of operating from the comfort of one’s own home.  Buffer’s State of Remote Work report indicated that 20% of remote workers were experiencing loneliness back in 2018, at a time when mandatory isolation was unheard of. Coachees’ reports suggest the incidence of loneliness is now considerably higher.

There appears a general consensus concerning the negative repercussions arising from remote worker loneliness.  These include less loyalty, engagement and motivation; reduced productivity; negative impact upon well-being; physical and mental health consequences (including anxiety and depression); and a proven link between loneliness and premature mortality.

Traditional Remedies

In recognition of these undesirable consequences, many have proffered remedies, the majority of which are not applicable to the Coronavirus era. These have included working in a variety of locations (coffee shop, library, co-working space) surrounded by people; meeting friends for lunch; working with one or more colleagues; going to the gym or engaging in outdoor activities with others; attending the office regularly; and dedicating specific times to socialising.

What can be done in a world of prescribed social distancing where remote workers can no longer combat loneliness by the above activities?

Contemporary Remedies

From the employee perspective, latest thought emphasises the importance of:-

• Utilising instant messaging and video conferencing to keep in touch with colleagues.
• Forming virtual groups with co-workers having similar interests.
• Devoting saved time to online webinars, encouraging a sense of connection while also enhancing knowledge and skills.
• Actively engaging with digital communities, with the added benefit of professional network growth.

Employers are now being encouraged to:-

• Introduce video conferencing in order to communicate with work teams on both business and social levels.
• Arrange team wide and corporate wide virtual meetings.
• Provide virtual hangouts for connection and relationship building.
• Construct online knowledge hubs and wikis to ensure two way information flow while also engendering a sense of community.
• Introduce regular virtual coaching and counselling to maintain human contact and support while focusing specifically upon helping remote workers with the difficulties of loneliness and all other anxieties and concerns.

An Unrivalled Opportunity

Viewed positively, this unprecedented situation presents an unrivalled opportunity to tackle remote working loneliness and other problems of virtual operation in preparation for what might well be a significant work paradigm shift as we finally emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic. I wish you all well in these endeavours, and stay safe!