Canadians are looking for somewhere to belong. Why should employers care?

Lesley Davidson is the president and chief executive officer at the YMCA of Greater Toronto

Recently, I watched a group of YMCA members linger in the hall after a fitness class ended. The workout was over but the conversations were just beginning. People swapped stories about their week, laughed about a misstep during class and checked in about their families.

What struck me wasn’t simply their participation in the program. It was the connection that happened afterward.

In a world where we can connect with almost anyone instantly electronically, opportunities for genuine in-person human connection can feel increasingly rare. And it’s not just affecting hybrid workers who lost access to their daily impromptu “water cooler” conversations.

Our second annual YMCA Connections Snapshot showed only three in 10 Canadians say they feel a sense of belonging or connection.

In-person connection remains incredibly important for everyone. It contributes to well-being and that’s not just good for individuals but the organizations they work for as well.

Belonging is not simply a social issue. It’s becoming a workforce issue.

Across Canada, employers are making important investments in employee well-being. Mental health benefits, flexible work arrangements and workplace benefits have all become more common.

Yet, despite these investments, many organizations face challenges with retention, morale and burnout. It may not be about a lack of supports, but a lack of real, human connection.

When people feel isolated, the impact extends beyond their personal lives. Isolation affects mental health, resilience and people’s ability to thrive, both at home and at work. It can negatively impact engagement, performance and retention.

Organizations like the Y can help.

For generations, people have built relationships through neighbourhood groups, sports leagues, recreation centres and volunteer opportunities. Those experiences don’t just enrich people’s personal lives. They help build the social skills, resilience and sense of belonging people carry into the workplace.

Today, many of those opportunities compete with longer commutes, busy schedules, remote work and non-stop scrolling.

Many people spend entire days interacting with others online without ever feeling a genuine sense of connection.

A strong sense of connection doesn’t happen automatically. It requires opportunities for people to come together, spend time with one another and learn from different perspectives.

It requires places where people can gather, participate and build relationships. Places like the Y offer these opportunities, bringing people together from various generations, backgrounds and life experiences.

We’re seeing this recognized by cities across Canada. In Vaughan’s emerging downtown, just north of Toronto, social infrastructure, including a Y and a library, was actively planned as a community investment alongside new housing and commercial development because thriving communities need more than places for people to live and work. They need places for people to connect.

At a time when social isolation remains high and many Canadians are struggling to feel connected, we cannot afford to take those places for granted. They are an important part of the solution.

Business support can help these community spaces thrive. And employee benefits that cover the cost of participating in their community can help workers build community. Just like the members I saw after their fitness class.

Face-to-face connection isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s fundamental to health, well-being and resilience.

If we want a stronger workforce tomorrow, we need to invest in the people, places and opportunities that help foster belonging today.

This column is part of Globe Careers’ Leadership Lab series, where executives and experts share their views and advice about the world of work. Find all Leadership Lab stories at tgam.ca/leadershiplab and guidelines for how to contribute to the column here.