'Isolated' young workers chase perks of office life

Many young workers are starting to return to the office because they feel lonely when working from home, new research has revealed.

- ALBERT TOTH

A sudden swell of fully remote or hybrid jobs remained after the pandemic, as many workers found they valued the freedom the arrangement offered.

However, four in 10 people aged between 16 and 24 (38 per cent) say they feel lonely or isolated because of their work circumstances, research from Bupa has revealed. This is a marked increase compared to all workers, with just under a quarter (24 per cent) saying they have similar feelings of loneliness. Many in this age range likely began their careers during Covid, and so are much more likely to have never experienced a fully onsite role.

The report, based on a survey of 8,000 adults, also found that loneliness is particularly high amongst young adults who pursued careers as social media influencers, with 58 per cent saying they want to find a workplace that offers a more social environment.