Loneliness is quietly affecting workplace productivity more than many organisations realise. 

Despite being more digitally connected than ever before, many employees today report feeling isolated, unsupported, and burned out. This isn't just impacting individuals – it's costing businesses financially, and damaging workplace culture and team cohesion. 

From performative perks to genuine peer connection, clinical psychologist Dr Zac Seidler unpacks how tech and hybrid work blur boundaries, why men are especially lonely, and what’s missing in our approach to employee wellbeing. 

+++ 

Please note, this episode contains references to suicide and stillbirth. Please take care while listening. 

The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios.  

This episode is hosted by Dr Juliet Bourke, with insights from Professor Barney Tan. 

The transcript and show notes can be found on our website here. 

Listen to our episode on creating healthier workplaces with psychosocial safety expert Carlo Caponecchia here.  

Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn.  

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. 

Loneliness is quietly affecting workplace productivity more than many organisations realise.&nbsp;
Despite being more digitally connected than ever before, many employees today report feeling isolated, unsupported, and burned out. This isn't just impacting individuals &ndash; it's costing businesses financially, and damaging workplace culture and team cohesion.&nbsp;
From performative perks to genuine peer connection, clinical psychologist Dr Zac Seidler unpacks how tech and hybrid work blur boundaries, why men are especially lonely, and what&rsquo;s missing in our approach to employee wellbeing.&nbsp;
+++&nbsp;
Please note, this episode contains references to suicide and stillbirth. Please take care while listening.&nbsp;
The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with <a href="http://deadsetstudios.com/">Deadset Studios</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This episode is hosted by <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/juliet-bourke">Dr Juliet Bourke</a>, with insights from <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/barney-tan">Professor Barney Tan</a>.&nbsp;
The transcript and show notes can be found on our website <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast">here</a>.&nbsp;
Listen to our episode on creating healthier workplaces with psychosocial safety expert Carlo Caponecchia&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast/the-business-of-psychosocial-safety">here</a>. &nbsp;
Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at <a href="https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/">BusinessThink</a> and follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/3274515/">UNSW Business School</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/agsm-nswbusinessschool/">AGSM</a> on LinkedIn.&nbsp;&nbsp;
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made.&nbsp;

As the pace of organisational change speeds up, a new generation of leaders is emerging who see the world differently. They are finding ways to grapple with complexity and make an impact in an accelerating world. What can we learn from them? In The Business Of, a podcast from UNSW Business School, a diverse group of business leaders from the corporate, start-up, government, and for-purpose sectors share their lived experiences in building businesses that can ‘do well’ and ‘do good’. 

Host Dr Juliet Bourke, a UNSW Professor of Practice in the School of Management and Governance, speaks with leaders from a range of industries unpacking the complexities of business of art, sports, AI, climate change and more.  

Wherever business practices are shifting UNSW researchers and academics are there, and in The Business Of you also learn about the global forces, competing interests and new trends influencing everyday decisions.  

Professor Barney Tan, the Senior Deputy Dean for Impact and Partnerships at the UNSW Business School, will help you make sense of all the moving parts through the latest research at the world’s top universities. He breaks down how that research equips leaders to make better decisions, build better teams and make a real impact. 

If you’re curious about the way business works, The Business Of can introduce you to contemporary industry practices and take you inside the minds of leaders as they figure out what’s next.  

Find out more - 

https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast   

https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/ 

As the pace of organisational change speeds up, a new generation of leaders is emerging who see the world differently. They are finding ways to grapple with complexity and make an impact in an accelerating world. What can we learn from them? In The Business Of, a podcast from UNSW Business School, a diverse group of business leaders from the corporate, start-up, government, and for-purpose sectors share their lived experiences in building businesses that can &lsquo;do well&rsquo; and &lsquo;do good&rsquo;.&nbsp;
Host <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/juliet-bourke">Dr Juliet Bourke</a>, a UNSW Professor of Practice in the School of Management and Governance, speaks with leaders from a range of industries unpacking the complexities of business of art, sports, AI, climate change and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Wherever business practices are shifting UNSW researchers and academics are there, and in The Business Of you also learn about the global forces, competing interests and new trends influencing everyday decisions.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/barney-tan">Professor Barney Tan</a>, the Senior Deputy Dean for Impact and Partnerships at the UNSW Business School, will help you make sense of all the moving parts through the latest research at the world&rsquo;s top universities. He breaks down how that research equips leaders to make better decisions, build better teams and make a real impact.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re curious about the way business works, The Business Of can introduce you to contemporary industry practices and take you inside the minds of leaders as they figure out what&rsquo;s next. &nbsp;
Find out more -&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast">https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/">https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/</a>&nbsp;

AGSM's 'The Business Of’ podcast examines the possibilities of transformation from the perspective of different industries.

The Business Of

Ever wondered what separates good businesses from great ones?

The Business Of, from UNSW Business School, goes behind the headlines to explore the global forces, industry shifts and leadership challenges shaping business today.

Host Dr Juliet Bourke speaks with leaders about technology, finance, marketing, consumer loyalty, AI and productivity, unpacking what truly drives successful businesses. Then Professor Barney Tan, Senior Deputy Dean at UNSW, breaks down the latest trends and ground-breaking research into strategies you can actually implement.

Smart conversations. Fresh insights from leaders who've been there.

This is The Business Of.

Find out more - 

https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast   

https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/ 

Ever wondered what separates good businesses from great ones?
The Business Of, from UNSW Business School, goes behind the headlines to explore the global forces, industry shifts and leadership challenges shaping business today.
Host Dr Juliet Bourke speaks with leaders about technology, finance, marketing, consumer loyalty, AI and productivity, unpacking what truly drives successful businesses. Then Professor Barney Tan, Senior Deputy Dean at UNSW, breaks down the latest trends and ground-breaking research into strategies you can actually implement.
Smart conversations. Fresh insights from leaders who've been there.
This is The Business Of.
Find out more -&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast">https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/">https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/</a>&nbsp;

 Clinical psychologist Dr Zac Seidler explains how poor mental health is harming workplace productivity and cohesion, and what we can do to reduce it. 

Advertisement