10 tips to beat the loneliness of remote working

Remote work continues to define how we many employees work in 2025, but while it brings freedom, flexibility, and better work-life balance, it also comes with a downside: persistent feelings of loneliness.

Multiple studies confirm that isolation is still one of the biggest challenges remote workers faces. According to research by Dan Schawbel and more recent workplace mental health studies, more professionals feel disconnected from their colleagues and company culture than ever before.

The impact of this growing isolation is not just emotional. Loneliness has been classified by global health leaders as an epidemic one that affects wellbeing, engagement, and workplace performance. The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a commission on social connection, recognising the far-reaching impacts of loneliness on health and well-being. Central to this issue is a lack of community in remote work environments.

As the Stanford Social Innovation Review notes:

"Community is not a place, a building, or an organisation; nor is it an exchange of information over the internet. Community is both a feeling and a set of relationships among people."

That loss of connectedness affects not only employees but also employers. Lonely workers are more likely to struggle with mental health, feel disengaged, and ultimately leave. Whether you are a remote worker or an employer leading a hybrid team, here are practical tips to make remote working feel less remote.

For Employees

1. Work at Least One Day a Week Away from Home

Visit a coffee shop, library, or co-working space at least once a week. Being around others, especially other remote workers, can provide a welcome psychological shift, even if you are not directly interacting.

2. Take Advantage of Flexible Hours

Use your flexible work schedule to reconnect socially during the week, whether through hobbies, fitness groups, or casual meetups. Whether it is a dog walk, breakfast with a friend, or school drop-off time with the kids, don’t miss out on the social perks flexible work allows.

3. Make After-Work Plans

Without the natural cut-off of commuting, it is easy for work to bleed into personal time. Setting up plans with friends or family after work creates a much-needed boundary and gives you something to look forward to.

4. Join or Start Social Groups at Work

Whether it’s a pet photo Slack channel or a monthly TEAMS or Zoom catch-up for working parents, small virtual communities can go a long way in helping you feel part of something bigger.

5. Choose Calls Over Emails for Complex Conversations

Whenever you're dealing with nuance or need brainstorming time, opt for a video or voice call instead of relying solely on text. It's not just efficient it helps build stronger team connections.

For Employers

6. Offer a Co-Working Space or Coffee Shop Stipend

Office rewards should not only apply to in-office staff. Repurpose that budget for remote employees by offering a stipend for co-working space memberships or coffee shop visits. It is a small cost that can yield big engagement wins.

7. Host Virtual Social Hangouts

Whether it is a monthly quiz, coffee break, virtual game session, or casual Friday call, providing regular informal touchpoints helps bring personality into remote teams and breaks up the isolation.

8. Bring Teams Together in Person—When Possible

If geography allows, schedule occasional in-person catch-ups, even if it’s once per quarter. Casual, local meetups can make a meaningful difference in creating bonds across distributed teams.

9. Invest in Annual Company-Wide Events

A yearly offsite, strategy day, or even a festive get-together helps people forge real connections. While travel costs are a factor, the returns in culture, loyalty, and retention often outweigh the investment.

10. Make Remote Workers Visible in Hybrid Meetings

Use tools like the Meeting Owl Pro or ensure all in-person attendees log into the same virtual meeting as remote staff. This reinforces inclusivity and ensures everyone has equal visibility and input regardless of location.

Why This Matters More Today

Keeping remote employees motivated, engaged, and connected is no longer a "nice-to-have"; it’s a business imperative. As work becomes more distributed, the employers who succeed will be those who invest in people-first strategies that address both productivity and wellbeing.

Post-pandemic, we’ve learned that location flexibility alone doesn’t equal job satisfaction. Emotional, social support, mental health matter, and leaders must be more deliberate in how they foster belonging in virtual teams.

As remote and hybrid models become the norm, addressing loneliness is key to retention, engagement, and performance. Reports from professional bodies such as the CIPD - Flexible and hybrid working practices in 2025 can help develop strategy.

Redline Group Can Help

At Redline, we understand that recruitment isn’t just about placing candidates, it’s about building strong, connected, and motivated teams. As one of the UK’s leading specialists in Electronics and High-Technology recruitment, we offer knowledge-led advice to help you future-proof your workforce.

For more information on our knowledge-led approach to recruitment and the outlook for 2025, please contact info@redlinegroup.com or call 01582 450054.