Mynavi survey reveals 20% of new employees feel workplace loneliness

A survey conducted by Mynavi regarding 800 new employees graduating in 2026 reveals that approximately 20% of new hires experience feelings of loneliness in the workplace. Common reasons for this isolation include difficulty approaching busy colleagues and a lack of close coworkers.

Key findings indicate that 41% of lonely employees seek work-related advice from friends or classmates outside of their company, rather than colleagues. This group also shows a higher tendency to consult generative AI or report having no one to talk to.

Loneliness significantly impacts employee retention and satisfaction. Over 40% of employees who feel lonely intend to stay at their current company for three years or less, whereas those who do not feel lonely are more likely to plan for a tenure of 10 years or more. Additionally, lonely employees reported lower levels of job satisfaction compared to their peers.