London, UK – The modern workplace is facing a new challenge: virtual meetings. According to a recent poll by specialist recruitment company Robert Walters, a staggering 73% of professionals report that their workdays are regularly interrupted by virtual meetings, with over half (53%) experiencing these disruptions frequently.
The findings highlight a significant issue in today's hybrid work environment. As professionals return to physical offices, the reliance on platforms like Teams and Zoom remains high, often for matters that could be more efficiently handled through a brief message or email. This trend is causing concern among business leaders about its impact on productivity.
Disruptive Workdays
The poll revealed that a quarter of UK professionals have more than five virtual meetings scheduled daily, while a third face up to four. With each meeting averaging 30 minutes, this equates to 2-2.5 hours lost from their workday. A separate study by Slack found that more than two hours of meetings per day can significantly reduce productivity.
Daniel Harris, Director of Robert Walters London & Southeast, explained, "While virtual meetings were crucial during the pandemic, the shift back to office work demands a reassessment of their necessity and frequency."
Questionable Productivity
The survey results were mixed on the productivity of virtual meetings. Over half (56%) of respondents said productivity varied depending on the meeting, and 13% found them generally unproductive. Notably, a third of meetings occur virtually even when up to half of the participants are in the same office.
Harris emphasized, "The effectiveness of virtual meetings depends on factors like organization, number of attendees, agenda clarity, and participant engagement. Unlike in-person meetings, virtual ones can miss social cues, leading to disengagement."
Generational Preferences
The poll also uncovered generational differences in communication preferences. While 62% of Gen-Z professionals favor messaging apps like MS Teams or WhatsApp, a third of those over 27 prefer email. Only 5% of professionals across all ages favor virtual meetings for focused work.
Harris commented, "Quick messages or email chains often suffice for simple questions or updates, minimizing disruptions to work."
The Call for In-Person Meetings
When it comes to making important business decisions, 67% of professionals prefer in-person meetings, compared to 31% who opt for virtual calls. In-person meetings foster informal brainstorming and team connection, benefits often lost in virtual settings.
Harris concluded, "Successful workplaces require clear and consistent communication. This means finding a balance and avoiding over-reliance on any single method to ensure maximum productivity and prevent burnout."
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