Shared Space

Fighting Workplace Loneliness By Design - with Nigel Oseland

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How do our workplaces and practices impact loneliness? How can you design for connection of all kinds? In 2019, 61% of U.S. working adults reported experiencing loneliness, which is tied to decreased productivity, work satisfaction and turn over. Yet, we rarely ask the question of how to design for connection in our workplaces as a priority. In this episode, I speak with Dr. Nigel Oseland who shares design strategies for fostering four types of connections in the work environment!

Dr. Oseland is an environmental psychologist, workplace strategist, change manager, researcher, author, and international speaker. He works with his clients to redefine their work styles, and create cost-effective, space efficient workplaces that enhance concentration, collaboration, and creativity. I was first introduced to his work through the Centre of Conscious Design. His lessons about loneliness and the workplace are exciting and important.  We hope you enjoy this episode!

In this episode, we discuss...

  • Introduction [0:30]
  • A Place of Connection for Him When He was Growing Up [01:11]
  • How He Got into This Field [03:21]
  • Is Loneliness a Personal Issue that's Completely Separate from Work? [08:08]
  • The Generation Age Divide Around Loneliness [12:42]
  • What the Research Says About Employee Loneliness and Sense of Connection [14:18]
  • How to Design Differently for the Four Types of Relationships that Workplaces Foster [16:56]
  • What Small Offices can Tweak to Encourage Different Types of Relationships in Workspace [25:20]
  • Other Considerations Outside Built Space to Foster Workplace Relationships [29:33]
  • The Difference Between Loneliness and Social Isolation [30:00]
  • His Tips for Building Open Office Spaces, that Also Support Privacy [32:19]
  • His Upcoming Book and What it is About [34:38]
  • One Thing He Wishes People Knew and Used When Designing for Social Connection [38:40]


    • Nigel Oseland, PhD - Environmental Psychologist: 

    Website: www.workplaceunlimited.com

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/oseland?s=20

    ...more
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    Shared SpaceBy Erin Peavey
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