Working from home can lead to exclusion and problems with socialisation, a new study has found.

When the Covid-19 lockdowns forced employees to stay home, many people found it liberating not to have to commute to work every day and legislation was even passed to provide workers with the legal option of flexible or hybrid working.

A study from the Compass Group (a foodservice company), however, has revealed that 85% of employees in sociable workplaces feel more connected to their teams, with stronger collaboration and creativity driving success.

Conversely, disconnected environments lead to higher turnover rates and decreased engagement.

The study was carried out in partnership with global market intelligence agency Mintel and polled 30,000 workers and students in 21 countries, including Ireland.

"Social glue"

On Newstalk Breakfast, the Compass Group’s head of marketing and customer experience Yvonne Mullally said that while flexibility is hugely important for employees, so is social connection in the office.

Food and drink “moments” such as meeting colleagues for lunch or for a coffee have a huge impact, the study also revealed.

“[The study] actually found that food and drink moments were actually almost providing a social glue,” Ms Mullally said.

“So whether you're going to the restaurant for your breakfast or lunch, whether you're having that casual coffee with your colleagues, these kind of moments of connection are providing a greater sense of connection for employees.”

“Happier and healthier employees”

Workers that are coming in to offices and experiencing “social connection” are contributing to a “more positive work environment” and “happier and healthier employees”, Ms Mullally said .

“We're very aware that flexibility in hybrid working is a new model of work, but we're seeing that actually a lot of our clients are finding this challenging, because they're looking to engage their employees,” she said.

“They're looking for a happy, healthy workforce, and they have these facilities in their sites, which they see as a huge benefit to their employees, which they are.

“This study supported our thoughts that actually, you know, if you're coming into the office and you're having a great food experience and you're being able to meet with your colleagues and having these kind of social connections, you are actually contributing to a more positive work environment and happier and healthier employees.”

"Isolation and loneliness"

While socialisation is not ranked above the flexibility of being able to work from home and the cost employees might save on not having to commute, this new research does point out the potential for feelings of isolation and loneliness if an employee is working from home all the time.

“If you're working from home all of the time there [is a] potential for feelings of isolation and loneliness,” Ms Mullally said.

“Employers are looking at how they can encourage employees to come back to the office in a meaningful way.”

A man works from home. Image: Wavebreak Media Premium / Alamy Stock Photo