Workplace loneliness and job turnover: a 6-month prospective study.

Abstract

Objectives: This longitudinal study examined the associations of workplace loneliness with job turnover at 6-month follow-up among Japanese full-time employees.

Methods: This study employed a 6-month prospective design as part of the Employee Cohort Study in Japan. Data from wave 15 (February 2024; baseline, T1) and wave 16 (August 2024; follow-up, T2) were used. Only participants who were employed at baseline and completed the follow-up survey were included in the analysis. Workplace loneliness at T1 was measured using 3 scales: the Loneliness at Work Scale (LAWS), a single-item workplace loneliness scale, and a 3-item scale developed by modifying the short UCLA (University College, Los Angeles) Loneliness Scale for workplace loneliness. Job turnover at T2 was defined based on responses indicating either leaving a job or moving to a different company within the preceding 6 months. Multivariable logistic regression analysis assessed the association between workplace loneliness and job turnover, adjusting for sociodemographic variables.

Results: In total, 706 employees who were employed at baseline were included in the analysis. Observed turnover at follow-up was n = 47 (6.7%). Participants who experienced turnover had significantly higher baseline scores for LAWS and the 3-item scale (P = .044 and P = .012, respectively). In the multivariable logistic regression, all 3 workplace loneliness scales demonstrated similar and significant associations with turnover at follow-up.

Conclusions: Workplace loneliness leads to job turnover. Further research is needed to address the generalization and explore mechanisms of the present findings.