06/30/2026
One of the positive outcomes of COVID-inflicted banishment from offices was the rise of remote work, which has spilled over to become a preferred work option post pandemic for many employees, especially women with care responsibilities. In 2024, 80% of US workers said they would be happiest if able to work remotely. Well, 35 million Americans now work from home, and perhaps even more globally -- workers who feel liberated from long commutes, microagressions from office colleagues, unpleasant bosses. For parents, remote work enabled work/life integration.
But here's a troubling consequence. Despite its advantages, remote work has also deepened Americans' isolation, a deterioration in mental health -- 84% of remote workers spend their days entirely alone without face-to-face human contact. Over half report that they feel less connected to colleagues, receive less feedback from co-workers, contact less people outside their teams, and spend less time socializing outside work. This loss in interactions are part of the reason that depression is now considered a national and global 'disease' as I have mentioned in prior postings. Our brains are wired for face-to-face connections, and studies show that the office has been the number one place where adults form friendships.
What to do doesn't mean a return to 5 days a week at the office, but employers must be creative in bringing workers together, making spaces for greater interaction, setting up deliberate mentoring sessions weekly, developing ways to foster connections among team members. Those working remotely must make intentional moves to schedule lunches or in-person meetings with colleagues or people, in general. Loneliness sets in gradually, but breaking isolation with deliberate actions are critical for mental well-being
