Microsoft employees who transitioned to remote work said that they felt 'more siloed' and unable to form as many new relationships. Additionally, 79% of young adults aged 18 to 24 reported feeling lonely, compared to 41% of seniors aged 66 and older. These workers also said remote work has increased their anxiety, lowered morale, and reduced opportunities for career development.

The surge in remote work in America has exacerbated feelings of loneliness by physically isolating individuals from traditional social interactions in the workplace, leading to a disconnection from colleagues, reduced spontaneous social encounters, and an overall sense of isolation that contributes to the growing loneliness epidemic.

However, while IRL work helps combat loneliness, this working style does not suit everyone. For instance, people with ADHD might find it easier to WFH because there are fewer distractions. People with already stretched budgets might stay away from the office since commuters in the US spend an average of $8,466 on their commute every year – equating to about 19% of their annual income. Overall, fostering community within the workplace is important but expecting full-time IRL working conditions could alienate some employees.