Friday WFH Policy Risks Causing Loneliness Among Gen Z Civil Servants, Psychologist Shares Tips to Overcome It

The Friday work-from-home (WFH) policy is often viewed as good news for Generation Z civil servants (ASN). Many feel it allows them to save “social energy” by avoiding full-day direct interactions with office colleagues.

However, behind this convenience lies a hidden risk to mental health: a deep sense of loneliness stemming from a drastic reduction in physical interactions.

Unwittingly, the lack of face-to-face contact can make a person feel alienated, ultimately leading to stress or burnout.

“Loneliness is a subjective perception that a person is not receiving the social closeness they need or desire,” said Clement, who practises at Indopsycare, when contacted on Tuesday (5/5/2026).

It is important to understand that loneliness and social isolation are two different things. Loneliness is subjective, where a person might feel alone despite having many friends on social media or in real life.

Meanwhile, social isolation is more objective, such as when a person truly has no social activities or communication with others at all.

“Social isolation means, for example, having no friends at all, never using social media, being confined alone in a house,” Clement explained.

This condition can be exacerbated if you feel no one contacts you first. However, shutting oneself away while working from home is not the right solution.

You need to realise that social needs must still be met to prevent mental health from declining during this remote work policy.

Even if you remain connected through applications like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, the interactions that occur are usually limited to work matters.

There is rarely space for discussing personal matters or simply joking around casually, as is common in the office during breaks.

“If we talk or chat via Zoom or Microsoft Teams in a work context, it’s usually not about personal matters,” Clement stated.

To counter this, you are advised to maintain contact with colleagues or friends outside of office matters.