Virtual gatherings continue to cause stress for numerous individuals - Virtual gatherings continue to induce stress for numerous participants
Five long years post-pandemic and virtual meetings are still causing a stress headache for many folks. Logitech's commissioned survey reveals that the stress levels for meetings with external parties like customers or superiors hit a whopping 27% with a stress level of 7 or higher. Compare that to just 21% for meetings with coworkers. But it's not all doom and gloom, as stress levels vary not just by who you're conversing with but also by gender and age.
Interestingly, females reported significantly higher stress levels than their male counterparts across all scenarios. The biggest disparity was in meetings with external parties, with 33% of women feeling the pressure compared to 22% of men. Age-wise, middle-aged employees showed the highest stress levels, bucking the assumptions we've grown accustomed to.
Despite the stress, most respondents didn't detest virtual meetings. Approximately 30% preferred virtual meetings, 36% preferred in-person meetings, while a surprising 27% had no preference and opted for hybrid meetings. Strangely enough, women and middle-aged individuals showed a slight fondness for virtual meetings, reporting higher stress levels before such meetings.
One possible cause for stress could be the fear of encountering technical glitches during the meeting. Nearly one-third of respondents admitted to such issues, with 14% experiencing them frequently and a concerning 12% canceling or avoiding online meetings due to such concerns. However, roughly two-thirds of respondents claimed they were prepared for the virtual world with no discernible difference between office settings and home offices.
Serkan Ates of Logitech asserts, "Dependable meeting technology is now a competitive edge." Companies that equip their employees with reliable tools minimize frustration, enhance performance, and boost satisfaction, he adds. Logitech's survey, conducted by YouGov, polled around 2110 computer-dependent individuals in April.
- Covid-19
- Video Meetings
- Logitech
- Computer
- Online Stress
Possible reasons why women and middle-aged individuals might report higher stress levels in virtual meetings, despite their preference for such meetings, could be:
- Technical inexperience or challenges
- Increased cognitive load and distractions
- Social and gender dynamics
- High personal expectations and external pressures
- Lack of nonverbal cues
Exploring these factors further would shed light on the complexities surrounding virtual meetings and provide valuable insights for companies.
- Women and middle-aged individuals, despite preferring virtual meetings, might experience higher stress levels due to their potential lack of familiarity or challenges with technological aspects.
- The increased cognitive load and distractions in virtual meetings could contribute to the higher stress levels reported by these groups, as they grapple with the demands of a virtual environment.
- Social and gender dynamics could play a role in the increased stress levels, as women and middle-aged individuals might face unique pressures and expectations in professional settings, leading to added stress during virtual meetings.
- High personal expectations and external pressures could be another factor, as these individuals might hold themselves to higher standards or face additional pressures from their roles or personal lives, leading to higher stress during virtual meetings.
- The lack of nonverbal cues in virtual meetings could also be a contributing factor, as the loss of these cues can make communication more difficult and potentially more stressful for some individuals.
