Loneliness is nothing new. The Beatles referenced it in Eleanor Rigby in 1966, but so long as humans have had the time to think about their inner emotions there has always been loneliness.

Organisations have to take what steps they reasonably can to reduce the risk of hazards to mental ill health. This also means they should try to build positive mental health. How can employers do that?

Team problem solving often involves sitting in a room, discussing the issue to try and develop solutions. Drawing and doodling can help creative thinking, so why not try a different approach by asking your team to sketch out their ideas in visual form instead.

If you are planning a Christmas social event to thank your team for their efforts throughout the year, you need to ensure you take steps to reduce the risk. Your Christmas “do” might be a lunch, dinner, a party, a trip to the pantomime or a trip away. Whatever, the format, if it’s a work-related social occasion ensure that you take precautions to ensure it all goes smoothly.

Everyone wants to succeed at work, but there are challenges if you’re promoted from the shop floor to a management role, especially if in consequence you must manage what were your former peers.