CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Some 57 percent of employees say they feel isolated at work, according to a Tell It NowSM survey released by ComPsych® Corporation today. The majority of employees said more social events or “down time” to casually interact would most help reduce feelings of isolation. ComPsych is the world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs and is the worldwide leader of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR, FMLA and absence management services under its GuidanceResources® brand.
Of the 57% of employees who say they feel isolated at work, here is what they said would most help improve the situation:
26% said – More social events
32% said – More “down time” and
opportunity to casually interact
18% said – Getting involved in
volunteering or other causes
13% said – More cross-departmental
projects
10% said – Different workspace setup (less offices,
more interaction)
1% said – More meetings
**See infographic here.**
“Loneliness and social isolation can be precursors to depression, anxiety and especially substance abuse,” said Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, Founder, Chairman and CEO of ComPsych. “Half of all adults are now single, so many do not have the support of – or interaction with – a family at home, which makes the social environment of the workplace even more important. There are a number of ways in which an employer’s EAP can help.”
Among the resources ComPsych provides to address loneliness are:
- Skills-based counseling to help people build better relationships both socially and at work
- On-site training sessions, which bring people together but also can cover topics such as “Loneliness and Social Isolation In Today’s World,” “Mental Health Awareness” and “Becoming a Team Player,” which ComPsych provides
- More intensive counseling for the “downstream” effects of loneliness – depression, anxiety and substance abuse – while addressing the underlying causes such as social isolation
ComPsych is also reminding customers and their employees to take advantage of the holidays for social gatherings at work but also to provide guidance for employees of ways to better connect with their friends and extended families. For a list of tips, send an email to jhudson@compsych.com.
About ComPsych
For more information, visit www.compsych.com and follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ComPsych.