A recent survey has revealed that 37% of 18 to 24-year-old office workers in the UK struggle to forge friendships in the workplace, highlighting a shift in social dynamics influenced by remote working. Conducted by Colony, a flexible workspace and co-working operator based in Manchester, the study surveyed 2,000 UK office employees to explore how remote work affects social interactions.
The findings show that younger Generation Z workers face the greatest challenges in making friends at work. This demographic reported difficulties more frequently than their older counterparts, with 36.3% of 25-34-year-olds and 35.7% of 35-44-year-olds also expressing similar sentiments. The survey indicated that younger workers are often hindered by a lack of in-person interaction, with 33% citing this as the main barrier to forming friendships.
The shift towards hybrid and remote work arrangements has dramatically altered the traditional workplace, with employees spending less time in the office than in previous years. Despite their familiarity with digital communication, young workers value face-to-face connections. “It seems that many young workers aren’t just interested in living their work lives online,” said Jamie Halliday, Head of Marketing at Colony. “Building in-person connections is something they value.”
Interestingly, the survey revealed that 25% of 18-24-year-olds found their main group of friends in their current workplace, aligning closely with the overall average of 26%. However, younger workers were less likely to have formed friendships from previous jobs, suggesting that workplace relationships can take time and experience to develop.
The survey also highlighted that over half of the respondents in this age group have formed their primary friendships during their school or university years, reflecting the significant role education plays in building long-lasting relationships. Additionally, nearly 20% of young workers indicated that they have established their closest friendships online through social media or gaming, which is double that of older generations.
In terms of workplace dynamics, the survey found that only 15% of younger workers prefer to keep their work and social lives separate, in contrast to 34% of the overall population. This indicates a desire among younger employees to integrate their personal and professional lives more fully.
The study identified several key factors that could help 18-24-year-olds make friends at work. Top of the list was the importance of having common interests with colleagues (41.4%), followed by the need for communal spaces (35.8%), and more social events during and outside of office hours (30.9% and 29.6%, respectively).
The pandemic appears to have exacerbated the challenges younger workers face in forming office friendships. Both 18-24-year-olds and 25-34-year-olds reported a negative impact from the pandemic on their ability to make friends, with 37% and 25% respectively. However, many young workers noted that hybrid working arrangements have positively influenced existing friendships, suggesting that while new connections may be harder to establish, established ones have benefitted from the flexibility of remote work.
Reflecting on the findings, Halliday emphasised the need for employers to foster a socially focused work culture that enables networking opportunities. “These results underscore the importance of creating a work environment where interaction and collaboration can thrive,” he stated.
