2022 state of human connections at work

The way we connect has changed drastically

The global pandemic of 2020 ushered in sweeping changes to almost every aspect of our lives, affecting the way we connect both personally and professionally.

Most US full-time workers worked in person prior to COVID, regardless of their company size. 89% worked full-time in person (three or more days) before COVID. Now, the work environment is quite different, with small and mid-sized businesses increasingly shifting to a hybrid or remote work model. Having a hybrid or full-time remote work arrangement jumped from 11% pre-COVID to 39% during COVID, and that shift seems unlikely to change any time soon.

Remote and hybrid work models altered workers’ perceptions of human connection.

74% say what it means to be connected to another human changed over the course of the COVID pandemic.

What does human connection mean in this new work landscape? To find out, we surveyed 3,000 people in small and mid-sized businesses to better understand how employees currently feel about work, communication styles, and their employers. In this report, we uncover key findings from our human connections survey and share tips on how to build stronger connections today.

Human connection is a need, not just a want

39% say working hybrid or remotely during COVID has made them feel more lonely and isolated at work

Feelings of isolation or loneliness at work have an impact:

29% say it impacts how much enthusiasm you have for your job

27% say it impacts your connection with co-workers

26% say it impacts your overall mental health

33% want to connect more with people at work

88% say they perform better when they get along with their colleagues