Research suggests that a majority of employees in the U.S. and around the world are lonely, which increases the risk of negative health and workplace outcomes. Having friends and social connections at work, though, can improve happiness, productivity, creativity and turnover. On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak with Shasta Nelson, author of The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of the Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time, about how to recognize loneliness and foster strong relationships that benefit employees and employers alike. We also talk about leadership and friendship, how to navigate cliques in the workplace and what employers can do to create more opportunities for connection.

Guest: Shasta Nelson, Author, The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of the Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time

Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Surest