You've probably already heard about research that says
loneliness is on the rise. The World Health Organization has even labeled it a
public health concern due to its associations with higher rates of heart disease, strokes, and other serious illnesses.
While more and more people turn to
AI chatbots to fill this need for connection, one company in
Sweden is trying a different approach. After the Swedish government called on businesses to help combat isolation and loneliness among workers, a major pharmacy chain there launched a year-long
"friendcare" trial program.Sign the petition to urge major international corporations to follow this Swedish company's excellent example!The pharmacy chain, Apotek Hjärtat, is testing out the "friendcare" program with volunteer participants. The way it works is: every month, participants get
1 full hour on company time to spend
socializing with friends, in-person or over the phone. Or, if workers prefer, they can take 15 paid minutes per week instead to catch up with friends.
In addition to paid time for socializing, participants will also receive
around $100 USD to help them pay for activities with friends, as well as training in how to address loneliness.
The "friendcare" program has only just begun, but that doesn't mean other companies can't replicate a similar model. In fact, Apotek Hjärtat belongs to a wider collection of around 20 Swedish businesses that are working together to strategize about reducing loneliness among employees. This collaborative network includes IKEA as well as chains and cooperatives that focus on housing and hospitality.
But what about businesses outside of Sweden?
Surely, major multinational corporations could financially afford to roll out similar "friendship hour" programs. Their ridiculous wealth is all thanks to their employees, after all. Meanwhile, working all day for corporations that don't value us is a great way to make loneliness worse.
Sign the petition to demand that giant international companies use some of their endless profits to support their workers' mental health by implementing "friendship hour" schemes to combat loneliness!