Amber Hickman |
More than 50 per cent of employees believe video is the key to feeling involved during online meetings, according to new research from audio solutions provider Jabra.
The 2023 edition of the firm’s Hybrid Ways of Working Global Report, which surveyed 304 workers in the UK, stated that 55 per cent of people also believe colleagues who appear on camera seem more engaged in meetings than those who do not.
The report also addressed the generational gap in hybrid meetings and stated that Millennials (defined as those born between 1981 and 1986) are four times more likely than Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) to feel left out during online meetings.
According to Jabra, this is due to a lack in inclusive hybrid meeting culture. It suggests that organisations should be using meeting technology efficiently to promote equal participation.
Organisations should also ensure that when they do adopt new technologies, their employees are comfortable using them, as the report states that 45 per cent of employees are hesitant to use meeting rooms because they are unfamiliar with the technology.
“As we all know, hybrid work is now the norm for millions of knowledge workers worldwide, bringing with it new challenges to the way we collaborate with one another,” said Holger Reisinger, senior vice president at Jabra. “While employees speak to the wellbeing benefits of flexible work, many employers have struggled to lead widely distributed teams. Moving forward, it’s essential that leaders give employees the tools they need and allow them to join meetings from where it best suits them. This will instil trust, empower decision-making and allow the best ideas to rise to the top.”
Read the full Hybrid Ways of Working Global Report on the Jabra website