More Than a Desk: Why Community Combats Workplace Loneliness

Community events are the heart of The View. One of the reasons we put so much effort into them is that we recognise the huge impact they have on the wellbeing of our members. We are convinced that where and how you work plays a vital role in your overall wellness and productivity. 

Looking at the data from Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2026 report, we are ratified in our belief that providing a place for people to work well, close to home, continues to be an essential mission.  

The report features annual findings from the world's largest ongoing study of the employee experience; and one of the most interesting findings for 2026 is this: global employee engagement fell to 20% last year, its lowest level since 2020. It’s also the first time global engagement has decreased for two consecutive years.  

This drop cost the world economy an estimated $10 trillion in lost productivity. According to Gallup, there is a strong relationship between employee engagement and business productivity, including profitability and sales. This, in turn, translates into lower economic growth. 

Connections that make a difference 

Alongside where and how you work, being surrounded by people you can connect with remains a key factor in employee wellbeing.  

The Gallup report also found that stress, anger and sadness levels amongst employees remain above pre-pandemic levels. The data for loneliness levels particularly caught our attention: 22% of employees globally ‘experienced loneliness a lot of the previous day’; that’s an increase of 2 percentage points since 2023. 

Workspaces like The View promote the type of social and professional interactions that can alleviate the sense of loneliness or detachment. Here, the human element is maximised by the fact that members are surrounded not only by their own colleagues, but also by other professionals from across industries and backgrounds.  

The social and entrepreneurial events we promote on a weekly basis at The View are designed for people to get together, share insights and compare experiences, from both work and life in general. We believe networking is important, but our real focus is on promoting the type of genuine links that create community.  

Get together, on your own terms 

Interestingly, fully remote and hybrid workers reported the highest loneliness rates (both at 24%). This tells us that purposeful teambuilding activities, and a work culture that helps employees perceive their work as intrinsically rewarding, are fundamental elements still missing from many organisations.  

For companies with fully remote or hybrid teams, our boardroom and social spaces provide the perfect setting for moments of connection amongst colleagues. Over the years, these rooms have hosted hundreds of brainstorming sessions and teambuilding activities that range from vision boarding and inspirational talks to Mario Kart tournaments. Whatever suits your team best, our spaces can accommodate building those connections in your own way.  

Furthermore, the peaceful Malahide Marina serves as the perfect backdrop for these professional get togethers, with the added bonus of having the many restaurants and amenities of Malahide Village and Malahide Castle and Gardens just 5 minutes away. It makes for the ideal engagement boosting day for any company looking to strengthen links amongst their teams. More on why Malahide is Dublin's best-kept secret for professionals here.  

Building community takes time, and people willing to invest it; but, just as importantly, it requires a physical space where people can come together, feel at ease, and connect in a natural yet purposeful way.  

We are proud to offer just such a space at The View. If you’re interested in creating that opportunity for connection amongst your team, get in touch with us at reception@theview.ie and we will be happy to assist you.