Impact of Physical Isolation, Remote Work Intensity, and Team Cohesion on Employee Interpersonal Relationships in Sri Lanka: The Moderating Role of Trust

The increasing adoption of remote and hybrid work models has significantly transformed workplace interaction patterns, raising concerns regarding employee interpersonal relationships. While flexible work arrangements enhance autonomy and efficiency, they simultaneously reduce face-to-face interaction, potentially weakening relational ties among employees. Despite extensive global research, limited empirical evidence exists within the Sri Lankan context, particularly regarding the role of trust in shaping these relationships. Therefore, this study aims to examine the impact of remote and hybrid work on employee interpersonal relationships and to assess the moderating role of trust. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 384 employees from Sri Lanka’s formal sector. Physical isolation, remote work intensity, team cohesion, trust, and interpersonal relationships were measured using a five-point Likert scale, and data were analyzed using SPSS. The findings confirm that physical isolation and remote work intensity negatively influence interpersonal relationships, whereas team cohesion positively contributes to relational quality. Trust plays a significant moderating role, reducing the negative effects of remote work conditions and strengthening interpersonal connections. This study provides practical implications for organizations by emphasizing the importance of trust-building and structured communication strategies in sustaining effective workplace relationships in flexible work environments.