A Third of Workers Would Rather Clean a Toilet Than Ask for Help — Here’s Why

A surprising new study reveals that nearly a third of employees would rather clean a toilet than ask a co-worker for help. This growing reluctance to seek assistance highlights a hidden workforce crisis — the social muscle atrophy that’s affecting today’s teams and harming business outcomes. Workplace performance expert Henna Pryor points to the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of remote work, and a fear of job loss as key factors. To combat this issue, she offers practical tips for both employees and employers to rebuild social skills, emphasizing the importance of fostering stronger, more collaborative work environments. With small changes like virtual coffee chats and accountability buddies, teams can strengthen their social muscles and improve overall performance.