Boredom at work costs $8.9 trillion annually, says Gallup

Scientists examining the mental health of full-time workers have produced a report on the global quality of workplaces. According to the Gallup Institute, boredom negatively impacts employees' mental health more than unemployment.

Stress related to assigned tasks, training, overtime, and interpersonal conflicts is prevalent in workplaces. Working with others is not always easy, as anyone who regrets a particular job can attest. But what is the current relationship between employees' mental health and tasks? The Gallup Institute explored this question in its annual report, "The State of the Global Workplace. The Voice of the World's Employees."

Research from the Gallup Institute indicates that employees' poor well-being directly impacts global GDP. How much does sadness cost, exactly? Scientists have determined that it amounts to as much as $8.9 trillion annually globally. The researchers also uncovered a noteworthy detail: boredom at work affects employees worse than unemployment.

The report also delved into the issue of loneliness among employees. Gallup Institute researchers noted, "Loneliness is more prevalent among employees younger than age 35 than it is for those aged 35 and older. Fully remote employees report significantly higher levels of loneliness (25%) than do those who work exclusively on–site (16%)—hybrid workers fall in between at 21%. Social isolation and chronic loneliness have devastating effects on physical and mental health."

The researchers further explained: "Harvard Professor and Gallup Senior Scientist Lisa Berkman and her colleagues studied the relationship between social and community ties and mortality rates over a nine–year span. The risk of mortality among people who lacked community and social ties was two times greater than that of people who had many social contacts. These differences were independent of physical health, socioeconomic status and health practices. Other studies have found similar relationships between strong social connections and longevity. The good news is that work itself decreases loneliness."

Scientists conclude the discussion on loneliness with the observation: "In general, working adults are less likely to experience loneliness (20%) than those who are unemployed (32%), and this remains true across age groups.

This positive effect is much stronger, however, as employee engagement rises. If employees are actively disengaged, they are almost as likely to be lonely as those who are unemployed. If employees are engaged—if they find their work meaningful and feel connected to their team members and organization—their likelihood of loneliness is substantially lower.."