Most companies want to create a culture where employees can socialize and form lasting friendships that will enhance their workplace experience. And a new survey of 1,000 full-time workers by professional services firm KPMG shows just how dire the need is.
According to the survey, most professionals feel that work friendships help them feel more engaged (83%), job satisfied (81%), and connected to their workplaces (80%). Although four out of five people say they have at least one friend at work, that leaves a disturbing percentage of workers who say they have none. It also reflects what everyone from middle managers to the United States surgeon general has been saying for years: America is suffering from an “epidemic” of loneliness that is harming individual and community health.
“Workplace camaraderie is an undervalued solution to many of the issues surrounding loneliness, breakouts and disengagement that we face in today’s workforce,” says Sandy Torchia, US vice chair of talent and culture at KPMG. Looking into the force.” good luck. “People want their employers to foster a culture that fosters camaraderie at work and opportunities for people to come together, but there is no one-size-fits-all.”
Friendship is also particularly important for young workers. Entry-level employees are more likely to say that close friendships at work have the most significant positive impact on mental health (63%), the survey found, than their mid-level (45%) and senior (40%) employees. Compared to counterparts.
While some organizations are naturally adept at creating a friendly office environment, it’s difficult for others, especially those with an entirely remote workforce. The study found that employees struggle to make friends at work, with only 19 percent of entry-level employees saying they met that way, and a third (30%) of remote employees feeling that their work arrangements make it difficult to make friends, 16% of hybrid or office workers; That said, when asked what action would lead workers to make more friends, only 16 percent said going to the office more days a week would help.
Fortunately, there are ways that employers and HR leaders can encourage the development of friendships in the workplace. Providing enough time for employees to meet face-to-face, whether in person or over Zoom, notes the study. Most professionals—especially Gen Z employees—believe companies should facilitate work camaraderie through extracurricular, non-work-related activities such as holiday parties and happy hours (40%). Employee resource groups (ERGs) are also of interest (39%), particularly among more mid-level and senior employees.
“Employee groups find real value in volunteer opportunities, employee resource groups, happy hours and holiday parties,” says Torchia. “Even seemingly small acts like celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, big accomplishments like running a marathon— All of these go a long way toward starting and deepening bonds that go beyond work.”
Burt Morris
brit.morse@fortune.com
Today’s edition was prepared by Emma Burley.
Around the table
A roundup of the most important HR headlines.
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Water cooler
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