Connection Cures Loneliness: Building Belonging at Work

Event Overview

Loneliness and disconnection are increasingly recognized as critical workplace challenges—impacting employee well-being, engagement, and retention. As organizations navigate hybrid work, evolving employee expectations, and rising burnout, fostering a true sense of belonging has never been more important.

This session will explore how connection drives healthier, more resilient workplaces. Bringing together business leaders, HR professionals, and subject matter experts, we will examine the science of belonging and its direct impact on organizational performance.

Attendees will leave with practical strategies to intentionally design workplace cultures where employees feel seen, supported, and connected—because belonging isn’t just a “nice to have,” it’s a business imperative.

Why Attend

• Understand the growing impact of loneliness on employee mental health and performance
• Learn how belonging influences retention, engagement, and culture
• Gain practical tools to strengthen connection across teams—especially in hybrid environments
• Hear real-world examples from organizations successfully building cultures of belonging
• Walk away with actionable ideas you can implement immediately

Preliminary Agenda

8:00 – 8:30 AM | Welcome & Breakfast
Light breakfast and informal networking to open the morning.

8:30 – 8:45 AM | Welcome & Framing the Conversation
Setting the stage:

• The rise of workplace loneliness and social isolation

• Why belonging and connection are critical to employee well‑being, engagement, and retention

8:45 – 9:15 AM | Keynote: The Science of Connection & Loneliness
An expert perspective on:

• The health and organizational impacts of loneliness

• Why connection is a core human need

• Common misconceptions leaders make about “belonging” at work

9:15 – 10:00 AM | Panel: Building Cultures of Belonging
Local leaders will share practices and insights about:

• Creating psychologically safe teams

• Strengthening connection in hybrid and in‑person workplaces

• Using belonging and inclusion as retention and engagement levers

10:00 – 10:10 AM | Break

10:10 – 10:50 AM | Facilitated Discussion & Small Group Reflection

• Reflect on your current team and culture

• Practice specific manager behaviors that build trust and belonging

• Explore how to integrate community and service into your belonging strategy

10:50 – 11:15 AM | Real‑World Applications: What Works
We’ll highlight practical examples—from Utah organizations and beyond—of what actually moves the needle on belonging, engagement, and employee well‑being.

11:15 – 11:30 AM | Action Planning & Closing
You’ll leave with:

• 1–3 concrete next steps for your organization

• Simple tools and language to start (or continue) conversations about belonging and connection
   

Who Should Attend

This event is ideal for:

• HR leaders and professionals
• Business and organizational leaders
• CSR and community engagement leaders
• People & culture / employee experience teams
• DEI and belonging practitioners
• Anyone responsible for employee well-being, engagement, or retention

About the Series

The Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being Series is part of the Salt Lake Chamber Foundation’s ongoing commitment to equipping Utah employers with practical, evidence-based strategies that support mental health and well-being in the workplace.

The series has engaged hundreds of HR and culture leaders across the state, delivering actionable takeaways, meaningful conversation, and strong peer connection.

Questions?

Contact Bre Yamauchi at byamauchi@slchamber.com

Generously Sponsored by

 

 
Presented in Partnership with