AIA Australia has partnered with national authority Ending Loneliness Together for Australia’s first Loneliness Awareness Week, which includes a State of the Nation Report into Social Connection.
A statement from AIA says the report reveals that nearly one in three adults (32%) say they are lonely, while one in six (17%) are reporting severe loneliness, putting them at a higher risk of lower workplace productivity, poor physical and mental health, and chronic disease.
It says loneliness is present in the workplace and can have serious impact on employees and businesses. The report finds that people who feel lonely report less work productivity and more work impairment compared with other people.
- 35% of people who are lonely report overall work impairment, compared with 24% of people who are not lonely
- 31% of people who are lonely report presenteeism, compared with 22% of people who are not lonely
- 11% of people who are lonely report absenteeism, compared with 8% of those who are not lonely
AIA states that workplace loneliness arises from perceived deficiencies in a person’s social relationships in the workplace.
“Loneliness is a complex social, health and economic issue that affects employees across different demographics, seniority levels, and industry sectors.”
It says research has previously shown that workplace loneliness is associated with poorer job performance and satisfaction, lower organisational commitment, and reduced levels of creativity.
…employees who are lonelier make more errors, take more sick leave, and express a stronger intention to resign…
“Compared with their non-lonely counterparts, employees who are lonelier make more errors, take more sick leave, and express a stronger intention to resign.”
Ending Loneliness Together, a national network of organisations and individuals, surveyed more than 4,000 adults between June and July this year, and found younger people (18-24) and middle-aged Australians (45-54) — much of the working population — are the loneliest in the country.
The insurer says the results show “…that despite one in three Australians feeling lonely, we’re not talking about it in the workplace or our other communities — which highlights the stigma and misconceptions associated with loneliness and has led to the inception and launch of Australia’s first Loneliness Awareness Week (7-11 August 2023).”
AIA and Ending Loneliness Together have been partners since 2021 working together “…to raise awareness, reduce stigma, educate the community, and develop the tools to reduce the negative impact of loneliness on Australians’ health and wellbeing, communities, and workplaces.”
Damien Mu, CEO of AIA Australia, says he hopes the findings inspire workplaces to check in on employees who might be feeling lonely, and start to foster more meaningful social connection.
“At AIA Australia, we want to create understanding, start conversations, and encourage connection in workplaces.”
…AIA and Ending Loneliness Together will be launching a corporate awareness program in early 2024…
With that in mind, AIA and Ending Loneliness Together will be launching a corporate awareness program in early 2024 to equip workplaces with the right tools.
“Loneliness is a biological need, just like thirst or hunger. We all feel lonely at times. We need to change the dialogue and support Australians to reach out and connect,” Mu says.
He adds that AIA’s partnership with Ending Loneliness Together “…plays an important role in raising awareness and educating workplaces and communities about loneliness and its impact on population health, wellbeing and productivity.”
Ending Loneliness Together Scientific Chair Dr. Michelle Lim says workplaces need to get better at identifying loneliness issues and fostering social connection.
Click here for more information on Loneliness Awareness Week.
