Susan Morgan Bailey
SVP, Culture & Inclusion Consulting Practice Leader
Loneliness and social isolation can have serious effects on both employees and employers, especially for long-distance truck drivers. Drivers spend much of their time alone—just them, their thoughts, the radio, and miles of road ahead.
The 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Connection and Community Health reports that more than 50% of Americans reported feeling lonely every day. While people of all ages experience loneliness, it’s most common among those aged 15 to 24.
Stress-related absenteeism linked to loneliness costs employers an estimated $154 billion each year, notes a recent Harvard Business Review article. Workers who feel lonely are five times more likely to miss work due to stress and twice as likely to miss work because of illness or family commitments, according to a study by Cigna.
Loneliness can also affect your company’s productivity, focus, engagement, and job satisfaction. Cigna’s study found that employees who feel lonely are twice as likely to consider quitting. Additionally, 12% of those who say they are lonely believe their work quality suffers.
How loneliness affects long-haul truck drivers
Long-haul truck drivers face unique challenges that can increase feelings of loneliness, especially since the pandemic. They often deal with:
- Long periods of isolation
- Weeks away from family and friends with limited interaction
- Tight schedules and demanding deadlines that can cause fatigue
- Stress from traffic and unpredictable weather
Research shows that social isolation and loneliness may lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity.
Being on the road for long stretches can make it hard to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine, which may worsen health issues.
Mental health can also suffer. Drivers already manage the stress of navigating unfamiliar roads and tight deadlines, and loneliness adds to that burden.
Isolation may reduce cognitive function, affecting decision-making, problem-solving, and reaction times, based on CDC research.
Based on CDC data, truck drivers have the fourth-highest suicide rate among occupations.
Building connections in a lonely world
Loneliness is a real challenge, but there are ways to help drivers feel more connected and supported:
- Stay in touch through phone calls, texts, and video chats.
- Reach out regularly to share experiences.
- Join a trucker community.
- Plan home visits when possible.
- Find time to exercise.
- Drive with a pet or bring family if company policy allows.
- Listen to podcasts or audiobooks while driving.
Talk to Marsh McLennan Agency about your next steps.
At Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA), we have transportation specialists who partner with organizations to provide guidance and resources that support efforts to improve workplace connections and driver well-being. Contact your MMA representative today to learn how we can help your team.
If you’re concerned about how loneliness might be affecting your employees’ well-being, download our tip sheet for practical ideas to help them feel more connected.
