The Loneliest Jobs Revealed: Workers Spending Up to 14 Hours Alone

A new study conducted in the UK has shed light on the professions where workers feel the most isolated while on the job. The findings highlight how modern work patterns, particularly those involving long hours alone or on the road, are intensifying feelings of loneliness and social disconnection.

Drivers and Farmers Top the List

According to the research, farmers as well as van and delivery drivers spend an average of 13.7 hours alone during the workweek. Around one in four people in these professions report feeling lonely while working.

Long-distance and delivery drivers rank as the most isolated group, with some spending up to 15 hours per week alone. Many of these workers spend extended periods behind the wheel with minimal social interaction, contributing to a heightened sense of isolation.

Communication Habits Are Fading

The study also reveals a decline in communication with loved ones during the workday. Traditional habits such as calling home have largely disappeared. Only 12 percent of workers in the UK call their partner once a day while at work.

On average, workers reported that their last phone conversation with their partner took place 13 days ago. Meanwhile, one in five employees contacts home only once a month or even less frequently. These findings underline how modern work routines are weakening personal connections.

Mobile Workers Face Greater Isolation

While loneliness affects both remote and office workers similarly, those constantly on the move appear to be the most vulnerable. Delivery and van drivers in particular face limited opportunities for social interaction throughout the day.

Nearly half of van drivers report having fewer than five conversations per day, and 46 percent of respondents say they do not spend more than five minutes with another person during their workday. This lack of interaction reinforces feelings of isolation.

Psychological Impact of Isolation

The research also points to the psychological consequences of reduced social contact. More than a quarter of workers say they feel more anxious about speaking to others at work compared with a year ago.

Iain Forsyth, UK Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Vans, emphasized that even a single meaningful conversation can significantly improve a person’s mental well-being. For workers who spend long hours alone, brief but genuine social interaction can make a profound difference.