The law can be a lonely place: why is loneliness important and how can we fix it?

Distance working and loneliness

Shifting work patterns since COVID [including distance and hybrid working] mean that opportunities for isolation have increased, and this often goes unnoticed.  Lawyers often report that the downside of working from home is that they feel isolated from their teams and their manager.  There are limited opportunities for interaction with colleagues.  In turn it is difficult to build real and meaningful relationships.  This can be worse for junior lawyers and new starters. 

Loneliness is the new smoking

Loneliness is what happens when the number or quality of our social interactions falls short of that that we need or desire.  Humans are social animals and evolutionary psychologists tell us that loneliness is a basic human drive; like hunger or thirst.  It motivates us to seek out fellow humans.  When we lack the social interactions that we desire, it creates a chronic feeling of emptiness and isolation.  Our work at the University of York has mapped out the impacts of loneliness on our physical and mental health.  Loneliness is as bad for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.  It almost doubles our risks of lots of bad things, including depression, heart disease and strokes.  It increases the long term risks of dementia.

Loneliness is bad for business

Lonely workers are unhappy workers, and they won’t stick around.  Employers will eventually pick up the tab.  So it makes sense for us to address loneliness when it occurs.  For employers it makes sense to spot loneliness and offer support.  Loneliness drives increased sickness absence, poor productivity and increased staff turnover.  Loneliness is likely to make us more susceptible to burnout and might compound increasing dissatisfaction with working in the law.  

LawCare’s helpline hears from people in the legal sector every day, and while loneliness and isolation aren’t always the main reasons for getting in touch, they come up again and again. People at all stages of their careers and across a wide variety of roles talk about feeling alone, including:

• A senior partner running a law firm told LawCare they feel that work is relentless and lonely, even with a supportive team. 
• A caller supporting a colleague told LawCare they are finding this to be a difficult, frustrating and lonely experience. 
• A person recently diagnosed with ADHD told LawCare they felt isolated and lonely following comments made by supervisors about the quality of their work. 
• A solicitor working in an emotionally challenging area of law told LawCare they have a difficult relationship with their line manager, and this makes them feel lonely and isolated at work. 
• Someone whose family doesn’t understand their mental health condition told LawCare they are looking for a more supportive network to feel less alone.
• A barrister in poor physical health lives alone with no close family.  They reported feeling lonely and depressed.

So what can we do to prevent loneliness taking hold? Here are a few practical tips to maintain and build social connections. 

1. Make structured social activities happen

A great way to do this is to think about your interests [or things that you would like to become interested in].  Then join a group or club related to these interests.  Book clubs, sports teams, or volunteer organisations are always looking for new members.  Run clubs are especially welcoming.  Parkrun is always looking for someone to count the tokens, even if you are not a runner.  Research shows that volunteering is a great way to counter loneliness.  Regular, scheduled activities provide social interaction and a sense of belonging.

2. Make small but meaningful connections every day

These don’t happen by accident.  Make them happen.  Initiate one or two small social interactions every day, such as greeting neighbours, chatting with a barista, or sending a message to an old friend. Over time these small moments can gradually build stronger relationships.

3. Develop a routine with built in social time

The Law is a busy place.  When we’re busy, it is easy for social interaction to get crowded out.  So plan to make this happen.  Set aside time each day or week for social engagement, even if it’s as simple as calling a friend, attending an event, or going for the weekly parkrun [see #1]. Making social interaction part of a routine helps prevent isolation.  When you plan ahead and make this a regular fixture in your diary, then the rest of your working week will happen around this.  

4. You won’t be the only person feeling this

Often when we get to the end of a conversation with a work colleague we like or enjoy working with, we make an abstract commitment to ‘meet for a coffee’ or ‘get together for lunch’.  Then we move onto the next meeting or next conversation.  Next time this happens, follow up with an email and suggest a time.  Research tells us that this is the most effective way to turn intentions into actions.  

If you are a manger, fostering a connected organisation can transform morale, productivity, and retention. Here are three things that you can do:

Top managerial tip 1 - cultivate meaningful relationships through regular social interaction  

If your workforce is dispersed, why not organise monthly social event?  This can be both in and outside the office - to help team members connect informally.  Activities like team lunches, charity challenges, or wellness walks can break down hierarchical barriers and strengthen relationships. Encourage participation but keep it inclusive and low-pressure to ensure everyone feels welcome.  Nobody likes enforced fun, and everyone can recognise it when they see it.

Top managerial tip 2 - create a mentorship and peer support system

Pairing employees in mentorship or “buddy” systems - especially new appointments or junior staff - offers them a go-to person for guidance and support. This can give individuals a sense of belonging and recognition.  Loneliness is less likely when this is in place.

Top managerial tip 3 - build a culture of psychological safety and open communication

You should maintain open-door policies and actively listen to staff. Provide anonymous feedback channels for those who may be hesitant to speak up. Regular one-to-one check-ins can help managers spot early signs of isolation. A culture where employees feel safe to express concerns will engender trust and connection.

Last thing, what to do if I feel overwhelmed and lonely?  

Loneliness often goes hand in hand with burnout, depression and anxiety.  the advice here is the same for anyone who is troubled by their work.  Our own research during the pandemic showed that psychological therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy [CBT] work very well when loneliness is something that sits in the background.  Support can be offered over the phone, but mental health services often don’t ask about loneliness.  Don’t leave it too late, since acting early stops things becoming entrenched.  

Some final thoughts.  Creating a connected, compassionate law firm isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about consistent, genuine efforts to value every team member. With regular social interaction, structured peer support, and open communication, you’ll not only combat loneliness but also build a resilient, collaborative team where everyone feels they belong.