Being isolated at work can damage your career: 5 ways to be more social

June 7, 2024 2:00 PM

Three women looking at books sitting at table

It is not as easy — or as tempting — as it used to be to spend time with coworkers outside of the office. But choosing not to socialize could be crippling your career.

According to a TopResume survey, more than half of employee respondents described themselves as introverts at work and have no desire to spend time with their coworkers after day's end. Instead, most people described themselves as being more reserved or thoughtful, and preferred solitary activities and time to recharge after social situations.

But too much isolation can be damaging to employees' mental health and their professional growth. Social isolation can lead to sleeplessness, anxiety and depression, as well as limited networking opportunities, reduced visibility and recognition in the workplace, and a lack of connection to colleagues, information and resources at work, says Amanda Augustine, a career expert at TopResume.

"Ongoing feelings of isolation can wreak havoc on both your physical and mental health," she says. "The more connected employees feel toward one another, the greater likelihood that they will collaborate more effectively, and be more productive and happier."

Isolationist behavior can put businesses at a disadvantage, too, as a lack of connection with coworkers can lead to less loyalty to an organization, lower morale and higher turnover, Augustine says.

"It is in an employer's best interest to play an active role in helping employees connect with one another," she says. "When companies prioritize their employees' connectedness, it also signals that they are prioritizing employee well-being, mental health and professional development."

Any activity an organization implements should be done with intention — Augustine shares five ways to create relationship-building activities that benefit all personalities in the workplace.

Poll employees first

Before hosting a happy hour or group activity, employers should survey workers and give them an opportunity to share their recommendations. Employers can even go a step further by putting together "company cheerleaders" as well as naysayers to get a better perspective on what will work and what won't, she says.

"When you're polling your employees, be sure to include some engagement questions to measure their level of connection or isolation within the organization, as well as what types of events or programs appeal to them," she says. "This will help you decide which activities or events you'd like to beta test."

Create a book club

Whether reading for fun or career development, gathering to discuss the book afterward is a great way to connect. Leaders can get involved, too, by choosing the books and leading discussions, Augustine says. This often makes initiatives far more likely to take off.

"The books you choose could be based on recommendations from your executive team [on topics like] leadership, business or strategic thinking," she says. "The company can pay for the physical or digital book for those who sign up to participate, and the leader whose book recommendation was chosen will help to lead the discussion at the end of the quarter."

Read more:

How to create connections with colleagues — without dinner and drinks

Arrange show-and-share events

Whether it's demonstrating a better way to work or giving a cooking demonstration, these types of events give employees the chance to shine in front of their peers. They also open up the chance for connections through questions, conversation and discovered shared interests.

"Give employees at all levels of the company the opportunity to share a skill or passion of theirs," Augustine says. "These can be related or completely unrelated to their work. For example, someone in tech could do a coding 101 workshop, or someone who is incredibly efficient and organized could present on all their life and work hacks. You could also have someone teach a meditation class or share their extensive wine knowledge."

Sponsor a corporate or office athletic event

Getting employees involved in activities such as intramural sports or a community event can bring people together for fun while also building public awareness of the company, especially if participants are wearing something or there is signage with the company logo.

"This type of program can be more expensive if you're paying for race entrance fees and branded uniforms," Augustine says. "But it can be a wonderful way to encourage employee bonding and healthy lifestyle choices, and increase your brand exposure."

Don’t underestimate ERGs

Employee resource groups can foster socialization, and meetings can take place during the workday, which can further encourage participation. Augustine suggests a dedicated amount of time each week where meetings are on hold, so professional development, social or networking activities take place.

"If your company truly wants its employees to socialize more frequently with one another and, ultimately, become more connected, then it has to provide time for such activities to occur," she says. "Encouraging the formation of ERGs based on the makeup and interests of your employees is a great way to connect employees with others and lead positive changes at the company."