10 Signs of an Isolated and Disconnected Worker

  • Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Author:  Ryan Jenkins

Short Description

We are only as unified as our loneliest team or Disconnected Worker community members.   No one is immune to feeling lonely at work—not even the outgoing top sales associate, the customer success representative that brings her dog into the office, or the charming vice president who always declines every happy hour invitation due to “overcommitments.” Entry-level […]

We are only as unified as our loneliest team or Disconnected Worker community members.

 

No one is immune to feeling lonely at work—not even the outgoing top sales associate, the customer success representative that brings her dog into the office, or the charming vice president who always declines every happy hour invitation due to “overcommitments.” Entry-level employees and managers share the same levels of average loneliness.

 

Since loneliness is a universal human condition and everyone is susceptible to experiencing it at work, it’s crucial that we know how to spot it in others. This is especially important because someone who experiences isolation and loneliness is likely to turn inward, become hypervigilant of personal emotions, and avoid others.

 

If avoiding loneliness was as easy as telling someone to go to happy hour, call a friend, or get a pet, then over half of workers wouldn’t be experiencing loneliness on a weekly basis. Because isolated people turn inward instead of outward for help, it’s up to the collective to proactively look for loneliness in others and pull them back into the tribe. In short, we are only as unified as our loneliest Disconnected Worker team or community members.

10 Signs of an Isolated and Disconnected Worker

 

How to Spot a Lonely Disconnected Worker

 

At work, leaders and close colleagues are best positioned to spot workers struggling with loneliness. The signs may be subtle, but paying close attention is crucial to building strongly connected and resilient teams.

Here are 10 common identifiers of lonely workers. As an exercise, think of someone on your team you suspect might be feeling lonely. Which of the following applies to that person?

1. Sloppy Work

Careless behaviors, a decrease in work quality, or irresponsibility from a usually dependable worker are indicators of potential loneliness. Sloppy work is a key indicator that people are working with a lessened sense of connection to either the team or their work.

Examples:

  • Missing project deadlines
  • Makes uncharacteristic mistakes
  • Takes shortcuts with clients or customers
  • Delivers incomplete assignments

2. Lack of Learning and Development

Curiosity and a growth mindset are good indicators of employee engagement. When employees are leaning into learning, they show a level of optimism about their future. When they don’t, it could be because they are disengaged or Disconnected Worker.

Examples:

  • Limited participation in training
  • Disdain for extracurricular activities
  • Doesn’t ask questions
  • Uninterested in career progression

3. Change in Routine

Engaged employees tend to be reliable, with recognizable routines. Reliable employees whose routines change might be an indicator of a growing sense of isolation.

Examples:

  • Showing up to work late
  • Taking extra-long lunches
  • Leaving or logging out early
  • Working late nights or weekends

4. Stops Offering Input

Feelings of insecurity are associated with loneliness. When workers stop offering suggestions or participating in goal setting, it could be because they do not want to be seen.

Examples:

  • Lack of eye contact during meetings
  • Not speaking during meetings
  • Doesn’t ask for feedback
  • Avoids planning or strategy sessions

5. Skips or Resents Meetings

Lonely people, paradoxically, may avoid others. Not showing up or arriving routinely late to meetings could indicate a disconnected worker. Lonely people can also be hostile to those around them.

Examples:

  • Not apologizing for being late
  • Keeping camera off during video meetings
  • Being disgruntled during meetings
  • Quick to anger while among others

6. Only Talks Work

Disconnected Worker are often unwilling to talk about non-work-related items. Only talking about work is a signal that someone isn’t interested in developing connections.

Examples:

  • Does not talk about hobbies
  • Shies away from discussing personal topics
  • Wary to engage in small talk
  • Deflects any non-work-related questions

7. Limited Interaction with Coworkers

Absent on communication platforms, long delays between communications, or avoiding small work gatherings are indicators that a worker might feel isolated.

Examples:

  • Avoids joining special interest workgroups
  • Eats lunch at desk
  • Lack of curiosity in others
  • Short responses during conversations

8. An Apathetic Attitude

An unwillingness to present or defend ideas, fulfill commitments, or be accountable can be a sign of loneliness. Lonely people often demonstrate more negativity.

Examples:

  • Passive approach to work
  • Low energy levels
  • Somber demeanor
  • Disinterested in serving customers

9. Unkempt Appearance

A disorderly workspace or appearance can be an indication of an indifference to establishing connections with fellow workers.

Examples:

  • Disheveled clothes
  • Ungroomed appearance
  • A messy desk or cluttered workspace
  • Recurring outfits

10. Excessive Working

Just as disconnecting from work could be a sign of Disconnected Worker, spending too much time working as a way to avoid personal responsibilities can point to an imbalance in social relationships. Taking on too much work can be leveraged as an excuse to avoid professional and personal social interactions.

Examples:

  • Volunteering for too many projects
  • Piling up vacation days
  • Returning emails late at night
  • Hurrying from meeting to meeting

Disconnected Worker is a subjective experience, so there are no hard-and-fast rules about what it looks like. Many people may hide their feelings for fear of embarrassment, or because they don’t want to appear weak. This can make loneliness difficult to identify. As a member of a team, your best approach is to take the time to get to know and really understand others. This will help you to recognize when someone is feeling disconnected or left out by the rest of the team.

Ryan Jenkins is a generations speaker and expert.

Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Twitter

Author Profile

The articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.

Similar to 10 Signs of an Isolated and Disconnected Worker

Melinda Briana Epler

Hey there, are you a white person wondering what Things You Can Do As An Ally for Black people right now? A lot of my white friends have been asking, you’re not alone. I’ve received several questions from friends wanting to do something so I thought I’d compile these all on one place. This is […]

  • Author: Melinda Briana Epler
Noah St. John

Boost Your Optimism and have Positive affirmations for anxiety are often used to reinforce positive thinking among people, especially during times of stress. These positive statements help us manage our anxiety levels to live a daily life without having to worry about anxiety and depression ruining our usual daily routine. It can really be tough to […]

  • Author: Noah St. John

I realised everything you do is marketing after I recently stayed at a five-star hotel and found a major marketing problem lurking in the wardrobe in my room.   Upon check-in I was welcomed enthusiastically, and my membership status recognised with a room upgrade. I was even presented with a welcome gift to thank me […]

  • Author: Amanda Stevens
Dr. Dambisa Moyo

GUIDE TO A TURBULENT WORLD from Economist and best-selling author Dr Dambisa Moyo (St Antony’s, 1997) discusses the world we’re in and how to negotiate it. Economist Dr Moyo (St Antony’s, 1997) was drawn to St Antony’s for its international, graduate student body and expertise in ‘macroeconomics and geo-politics’ as she puts it. She completed […]

  • Author: Dr. Dambiso Moyo
Erin Hatzikostas

Leadership Hack: How Sticky Notes Can Help Your Career Sticky notes have been my savior. And I don’t mean in a “don’t forget the milk” kind of way. True, sticky notes are great for grocery lists, but what I’m talking about here is how a few small squares helped me become a better leader, and […]

  • Author: Erin Hatzikostas
Sheena Allen

Whenever I speak about my entrepreneurial journey on Digital Inclusion, I often start by stating that I’m from Terry, MS. The big city of Terry with a population of a little over one thousand residents and only stop signs, no stoplights. I open with that statement because I want anyone reading or hearing about my […]

  • Author: Sheena Allen
WS Logo 512

WIFU: What’s in it for you, to read this? If you are ‘time-poor’,  and therefore don’t have time to read this article right now, then simply use the acronym: BOOST©  to ask yourself five questions:  B = Bed- Do you wake up refreshed?    O = Oxygen- Do you get enough oxygen to your brain throughout […]

  • Author: Joni Peddie
WS Logo 512

Siphiwe Moyo’s new book, called “Your Next Move” hits the shelves this week. Career Strategies to Survive and Thrive During Covid-19 and Beyond. As we all think about our responses to COVID-19, we have to try both offence and defence career strategies to survive. In other words, you need to try and hold on to […]

  • Author: Siphiwe Moyo

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME