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“… approximately 45 percent of employees indicated that ‘ the number of individuals they regularly interact with at work has decreased significantly over the past year , and 57 percent said they engage in fewer social activities .’”
raise concerns and admit mistakes . Hadley continues , “ Employees are unlikely to speak up in these ways unless they receive strong signals from leaders and teammates that they ’ ll receive positive reinforcement for doing so . They ’ re also unlikely to reach out to colleagues to connect interpersonally without a similar safety net .”
More than two years into a pandemic and in the middle of a labor shortage , this is no small ask for spa owners and operators . OC Tanner ’ s 2022 Global Culture Report concludes that one third of global employees reported feeling disconnected from leadership at their place of work . To counter this , hospitality leaders need to be ready to establish a workplace culture that ’ s not only engaging , challenging , diverse and equitable , but also one that ’ s transparent , encouraging and committed to effective communication .
The same report also notes that approximately 45 percent of employees indicated that “ the number of individuals they regularly interact with at work has decreased significantly over the past year , and 57 percent said they engage in fewer social activities .” While workplace interaction and socialization looks different during a pandemic , these positive workplace elements don ’ t have to disappear entirely . Adaptation and innovation — whether that ’ s moving socialization and connection activities outdoors , utilizing virtual platforms or thinking outside the box about other ways to foster relationships — can still be central to the employee experience .
According to Julianne Holt-Lunstad , PhD , a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University ,“ Being connected to others socially is widely considered a fundamental human need — crucial to both well-being and survival .” In an industry that ’ s navigated extreme turmoil over the last two years , one of the most fundamental assets of recovery is to remember that the communities we build and maintain — both in and out of the workplace — are one of our best sources of strength and support in these challenging times . ■
Cigna ’ s research indicated increased feelings of loneliness and isolation from 2018 to 2020 . A selection of relevant increases can be seen in the graph below .
54 % |
58 % |
46 % |
52 % |
43 % |
49 % |
2018 2020 2018 2020 2018 2020
Always or sometimes feel like no one knows them well
Always or sometimes feel alone
Always or sometimes feel as though they lack companionship
54 PULSE ■ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022