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  • CAREER COLUMN

How pandemic lockdowns changed workplace friendships

Hybrid work environments have altered how we connect with colleagues. But building work friendships can protect against burnout and make you more productive.
By
  1. Lola Brown

    1. Lola Brown is the associate dean for research and assistant professor of research education in anaesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, and a higher-education consultant.

  2. Ruth Gotian

    1. Ruth Gotian is the chief learning officer and an associate professor of education in anaesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, and author of The Success Factor. Twitter: @RuthGotian

There are signs that much of the world is getting lonelier. In 2018, the United Kingdom appointed the world’s first government minister for loneliness. Last month, the US surgeon general released an alarming report shedding light on the loneliness crisis1, and its effects on people’s physical and mental health2.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-02210-7

This is an article from the Nature Careers Community, a place for Nature readers to share their professional experiences and advice. Guest posts are encouraged.

References

  1. US Surgeon General. Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2023).

  2. Mann, F. et al. Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 57, 2161–2178 (2022).

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  3. Valtorta, N. K., Kanaan, M., Gilbody, S., Ronzi, S. & Hanratty, B. Heart 102, 1009–1016 (2016).

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  4. Lazzari, C. & Rabottini, M. Int. J. Psychiatry Clin. Pract. 26, 196–207 (2022).

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  5. Pillemer, J. & Rothbard, N. P. Acad. Manag. Rev. 43, 1–26 (2018).

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Competing Interests

R.G. has courses on LinkedIn learning.

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