MOO Survey Finds 79% of Knowledge Workers Feel Lonely at Work, Gen Z Most Affected

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MOO, the leading design company specializing in premium branded merchandise and print services, today released its data report on the modern workplace, finding inconsistencies as artificial intelligence promises unprecedented efficiency while many workers crave deeper human connection. The survey among 1,000 U.S. knowledge workers finds workplace loneliness is rising as employees practice “cognitive outsourcing,” relying heavily on AI for questions and collaboration.

"AI is transforming the way we work and increasing automation, but it’s connection, creativity, and culture that remain at the heart of thriving organizations," said Claire Donald, Chief Product and Technology Officer at MOO. "As companies adopt new tools, they must also prioritize human interaction—those day-to-day meetings and opportunities to collaborate that foster a sense of belonging and spark innovation across teams."

AI Reliance Divides the Workplace

Millennials, while leading in adopting AI for their own tasks, express frustration with colleagues who overly rely on the same tools.

• “Cognitive Outsourcing”: Nearly two-thirds (65%) of knowledge workers are now engaging in “cognitive outsourcing,” turning to technology before asking a coworker, and signaling a growing comfort with AI tools. Millennials are the leaders in cognitive outsourcing, with 71% preferring to turn to AI first, compared to just 51% of Baby Boomers and Gen Z.
• Frustration with Coworkers for AI Use: Despite 62% of knowledge workers being encouraged to use AI in their roles, not everyone is comfortable with its widespread adoption. 28% say they are irritated by colleagues who rely on AI tools like ChatGPT for everything—an issue particularly present among Millennials, who are twice as likely as Baby Boomers to find this frustrating (32% vs. 16%).

Loneliness Grows as AI Use Increases

As workers turn to AI instead of coworkers for questions, workplace loneliness is increasing.

• Younger Workers are Lonelier: Nearly 79% of knowledge workers say they feel isolated at work, especially for younger generations, with 89% of Gen Z and 82% of Millennials reporting loneliness.
• AI’s Impact on Isolation: Notably, 84% of employees urged to use AI at work experienced loneliness, suggesting AI adoption may heighten workplace isolation.
• Bots in Place of Coworkers: With digital tools on the rise, nearly 60% of knowledge workers surveyed think it’s likely that AI will replace some of their colleagues.
• Loneliness and Stress Go Hand in Hand: Those who are always lonely at work (40%) are much more likely than those who are never lonely at work (14%) to describe their company culture as stressful or overwhelming.

The Value of Human and Physical Tools Persist

Many workers are now reliant on digital transcription tools, but their ability to help with recall can’t be compared to tried and true methods.

• Recall is Higher When Handwritten: Outsourcing core job functions can come at a cost, with 46% of respondents saying their recall is the best by taking their own notes, while just 23% say recall is better with AI transcription tools. Generational differences arise here also, with over a third (36%) of Gen Z saying their ability to recall information is better when they use AI transcription tools, compared to 1 in 12 (8%) Baby Boomers surveyed who said the same.
• Tool Preferences: When asked which tools and materials they use in both professional and personal life, knowledge workers rated physical tools like sticky notes (51%) and handwritten notes or journals (48%) almost equal to AI assistants or writing tools (43%), offering a look into how workers might combine the best of both worlds to achieve maximum success.

Effective Use of In-Office Time Boosts Connection

After many years of remote work, the office is resurging as a place of connection and productivity.

• Company Culture: Just over 40% describe their company culture as innovative and creative - qualities that every organization should aspire to cultivate.
• Productivity for Deep Work: When it comes to deep work, knowledge workers overall are more likely to find that their productivity is effective for this type of work in the office (76%) than at home (61%).
• Team-Building and Social Events: Over 80% of knowledge workers surveyed said they participate in team-building activities or social events at work

Onboarding Employees Sets the Tone

Onboarding new employees sets the tone for the whole workplace experience.

• Adequacy of Onboarding: Only around half (52%) of knowledge workers surveyed feel they were properly onboarded at the beginning of their job, and of those who say onboarding was inadequate, 59% said expectations were unclear.
• Reliance on Digital Tools: One reason for poor onboarding could be that we’re leaving it in the hands of digital tools. Nearly 39% of knowledge workers prefer training through interactive digital tools, but 32% still favor learning from a coworker. Gen Z leans toward digital training (46%), while Baby Boomers prefer hands-on guidance (49%).
• Incomplete Onboarding: Only half of the onboarding processes included an overview of performance expectations (49%) and an introduction to company culture and values (48%), which undoubtedly leaves employees confused and feeling ill-prepared for their role. Assigning a buddy or mentor to new employees could help combat workplace loneliness, yet this only occurs in 28% of cases.
• Role Shifts: When onboarding is happening, it’s not always effective - a significant number of workers (over 80%) report their roles shifting since they joined the company or started their current role.

Stressful Office Environments Lead Gen Z to Clam Up

With economic times uncertain, employers are pushing their employees harder - workers are 10x more likely to say they’ve had to take on more work (53%) than say they’ve had to take on less (5%) since starting at their current company.

• Stressful Company Culture: Almost a quarter (24%) of knowledge workers would describe their company culture to friends and family as stressful or overwhelming, which may lead to higher rates of burnout.
• Communication Barriers: Almost two-thirds (64%) of knowledge workers surveyed feel prevented from sharing ideas and concerns with leadership. 31% of knowledge workers surveyed said they’ve had past experiences where their ideas/concerns were not listened to, while almost a quarter (23%) said the company culture doesn’t encourage sharing ideas or concerns with leadership.
• Generational Differences in Communication: A strong majority of Baby Boomers (59%) feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns with leadership without reservation, while only a small fraction of Gen Z (20%) feel the same way.

While AI reliance grows and employees feel the strain of improper onboarding and shifts in workload, there is potential to achieve a balance that will improve productivity and employee happiness. By implementing a hybrid approach with a mix of human input and digital tools, employees can get back some of the connection they crave. Ultimately, finding a balance between leveraging AI and preserving meaningful interactions will be crucial for organizations to thrive in the future.

About MOO

MOO is the leading design company specializing in premium branded merchandise and print services. At its core, MOO believes that great design can empower individuals, democratize creativity, and enhance relationships, which is why, for almost 20 years, the company has challenged the $1 trillion global printing market to make professional design accessible for everyone. Today, MOO ships over one million orders annually to corporate customers in over 160 countries. As a design-led, vertically integrated business, MOO is distinguished by its exceptional quality, thoughtful customization, and sustainable practices. To learn more, visit www.moo.com.