One in three UK employees report feeling lonely at work, according to new research from workplace and ID card specialists, Digital ID.
The study reveals that 34% of workers regularly experience isolation, even in roles that are hybrid or fully connected through digital platforms.
Loneliness is not limited to those who live alone or work remotely full-time.
In fact, 23% of respondents said they had gone more than three days without having a meaningful conversation, despite constant communication via meetings, Slack channels, and emails.
For single people living alone, this figure rises sharply to 41%, underscoring a wider societal issue around digital-age disconnection.
The research highlights that nearly 29% of workers feel loneliest immediately after team meetings, suggesting that superficial interactions may leave employees feeling emotionally depleted rather than supported.
Meanwhile, 45% of hybrid workers admit to “looking busy” to conceal a lack of connection or purpose in their roles.
Industries most affected by this trend include technology, legal services, and customer support, which are sectors heavily dependent on digital communication or shift-based operations.
The findings, released ahead of Loneliness Awareness Week (10-16 June), call attention to the urgent need for employers to go beyond relying on digital tools and instead foster workplaces that are psychologically safe and emotionally supportive.
Adam Bennett, workplace culture expert and spokesperson at Digital ID, said, “We’re more digitally connected than ever before – but that doesn’t always translate to real human connection. Performative productivity, constant notifications, and shallow check-ins can hide a much deeper issue: many employees are silently struggling with loneliness. That’s not just a wellbeing concern – it’s a cultural and business one too.
“Loneliness at work doesn’t always look like someone sitting quietly at their desk. It can look like back-to-back Zooms, unread messages piling up, or even that team member who never takes their camera off mute. As employers, we need to create environments where connection is genuine, not just scheduled.”
