New world of work: Survey: People in the home office not more lonely than in the office

According to a new study, work does not necessarily make workers from home more lonely than a working day with colleagues in the company. This is shown by the loneliness report 2024 of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), for which the opinion research institute Forsa has asked 1,403 people nationwide on the subject of loneliness. According to this, only 16 percent of the employees who work at least occasionally in the home office were frequently or sometimes lonely. The proportion of 14 percent is similar to the workers who work exclusively in their local company.

Part of the home office employees misses personal exchange

However, according to the study, some of the home office employees miss the personal exchange with colleagues. Around four out of ten employed people (42 percent) often lacks direct exchange at home or at least sometimes. This applies to both professional and personal communication. On the other hand, there are only twelve percent at the workplace on site, the information that the exchange is neglected.

“The social exchange with colleagues, the being involved in a team, covers a basic need for people after contact and belonging,” said TK CEO Jens Baas. Compared to the private environment, loneliness in the workplace is therefore less common. Only about four out of ten respondents (38 percent) stated that they rarely feel lonely in their work. In private life there are significantly more than half (58 percent).

Perception of loneliness subjective

The TK points out that the feeling of loneliness is subjective. “According to the scientific definition, this means the unpleasant feeling that arises when the quality or quantity of personal relationships does not meet personal needs,” it says. Someone who only maintains little contacts does not have to feel lonely. Conversely, however, a feeling of loneliness can also spread in people who have many social contacts.