Loneliness is a growing concern for workplaces nationwide, but some jobs are simply more isolating than others.
Task associates, who stock merchandise in retail stores, reported the highest levels of loneliness, according to a new study from Solitaired.
“While that might sound like a job beaming with human interaction with customers, it’s not always the case,” the study’s author, Neal Taparia, told Business Insider. “Some task associate responsibilities could be seen as tedious and hustling to get them all done can leave little time to interact with people around them.”
The study analyzed over 750,000 job postings across 30 industries on the job search site Indeed for phrases the work could be lonely like “independent,” “autonomous,” “self-motivator,” and “choose your own schedule.”
Paralegals — who take on many behind-the-scenes tasks at law firms, including conducting legal research, drafting and filing paperwork, and ensuring bills get paid on time — also ranked high on the loneliness scale.
“A large part of law positions is to research and analyze legal issues, which is independent work and while they may meet with clients, these business relationships might do little to combat genuine, deep human connection,” Taparia told BI.
Senior paralegals, in particular, ranked as the second loneliest job, suggesting that the higher up the corporate ladder someone is, the lonelier they might be. And paralegal roles have evolved over the years to include substantive legal work — without the title or pay grade of a full-time lawyer. These days, paralegals, especially senior ones, might do “everything aside from providing legal advice to the client” but they’re still treated as “second-class citizens,” Jasmine Gavigan, a former paralegal at the international law firm previously told BI.
Regardless of the role, loneliness can have several ramifications on workers’ health — and on their productivity levels. Studies show that loneliness can lead to more interrupted sleep and negatively impact memory levels and the immune system.
Taparia said employers are responsible for ensuring their workers aren’t struggling with feelings of isolation, which might be exacerbated in remote or hybrid settings.
“It’s important for employers to stay in touch with how lonely employees can be, whether remotely or not. Understanding loneliness and addressing it can create a better company culture and have the obvious benefits of improving employee retention,” Taparia said.
