Remote work for many people comes with more freedom, no daily commute, and a better work–life balance, but a new study shows that working long-term alone may have another side effect: increased feelings of isolation and mental health problems, especially for people who live alone.
A study recently published in Science shows that people who live alone and have jobs that can be done remotely report higher psychological distress and social isolation compared with those whose jobs require physical presence at the workplace.
According to CNN, the authors of the study analyzed more than a decade of national survey data and compared reports from employees in remotely doable jobs, such as marketing, with jobs that require physical presence, such as surgery. Based on the study’s findings, people who lived alone and whose jobs could be done remotely had days with no social contact 25 percent of the time; a figure more than double the rate recorded for employees in jobs that could not be done remotely.
Thus, given that some companies encourage employees to be in the office up to five days a week, being in the office more may not seem so undesirable. However, Dr. Constance Noonan Hadley, an organizational psychologist who did not participate in this research, believes that although full remote work can be a factor that increases the risk of loneliness, more presence at the workplace is not always better.
Hadley explains that in this view it is assumed when you go to work you are in an environment with meaningful and satisfying social interactions. Whereas combating loneliness and isolation becomes possible when you spend time in places where you feel others value you and understand you. So that environment can be the workplace or somewhere else.
Pros and cons of remote work
Years after the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work remains popular. According to a Gallup report, when employees in the U.S. who had the option to work remotely were asked in November about their preferred work arrangement, 61 percent preferred hybrid work, 33 percent full remote work, and 6 percent on-site work.
Respondents cited work–life balance as one of the main reasons for preferring hybrid work. Other studies have also shown that remote work increases productivity.
Although the study published in Science showed employees in jobs with remote-work capability face higher levels of psychological distress, other experts warned against the notion that remote work alone undermines mental health.
In a study published in July in Frontiers in Psychology, among about 7,700 healthcare employees working fully remotely, hybrid, and on-site, the remote workers reported the highest level of desirable mental health.
The Science study showed that since the pandemic, the increase in psychological distress for people who live alone and whose jobs can be done remotely has been twice that of people who live with others. It also found that when several days passed without contact with another person, these individuals did not make up for their lack of social interaction by socializing more after work hours.
Hadley believes such behavior may stem from feeling lonely or being unaccustomed to social interaction, making it easier to avoid future interactions. She added that people who live alone may be more sensitive to rejection in social relationships and may avoid future interactions to protect themselves.
Return to the workplace?
At first glance, working on-site at the company has its own advantages. In a report KPMG published in 2024, 86 percent of CEOs said they would reward employees who spend more time at the workplace. A study published in May in the Social Science Research Network also showed that remote work reduces future job opportunities for young people.
However, being present at the workplace is not a guarantee of social connection. Tami Allen, a psychologist whose research focuses on remote work, flexible work practices, and occupational well-being, says: "Even if a person is physically present at work, you cannot assume they are truly interacting with other human beings. And being present at work does not always mean that relationships among those present are positive."
Hadley explained that positive and socially satisfying environments are places where people receive affirmation and reassurance from those around them that they are seen, understood, and valued by others. Therefore, she said, forcing people to return to the workplace may have the opposite effect on their mental health.
She added employers should listen to employees and design professional mentoring programs, social groups, and events that employees actually want to attend. Employees who have long struggled with loneliness and have low social confidence may need more support. Personally inviting these people to participate in events can reduce their fear of rejection and create more motivation for participation.
Creating social connection, regardless of workplace
If you work from home and spend a lot of time alone, even small social interactions can make a big difference. According to a 2013 study, even small interactions like chatting with a barista or smiling at a stranger can give people a sense of belonging.
In her research Hadley asked participants which work environment was more socially satisfying. The findings showed the best option was neither home nor the office, but a third space between the two. Respondents pointed to places where they could be their authentic selves, including coworking spaces and cafés. In these places, because people were not engaged in doing the same task as other visitors, there was no hidden tension or competition among them.
Hadley, on adding more time for social interaction to the daily schedule, said: "This interaction does not necessarily have to happen at the workplace." So if your working conditions allow it, balance solitude and social interaction and go to environments where you feel a greater sense of belonging.