Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness was a public health issue because of its prevalence in society and its connection with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. With quarantines, stay-at-home orders, social distancing and work-from-home becoming our new normal routine, our daily social interactions have been disrupted or disbanded, which threatens our fundamental need for belonging. Now organizations, individuals and society must consider how to manage loneliness and find social connections in a socially distanced world.
How are people affected by loneliness, and are some people more vulnerable to feeling lonely? How can feeling lonely affect our identification with our groups and organizations? How can organizations adapt or institute practices and policies to help employees who are suddenly having to work remotely satisfy their relational needs? Could loneliness have any benefits? Panelists will discuss these questions and more.
Moderator/Panelists included:
Lynne Vincent, assistant professor of management at the Whitman School
Joel Carnevale, assistant professor of management at the Whitman School
Charisse L’Pree, associate professor of communications at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
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