fbpx
Connect with us

Social Stories

‘Zoom Fatigue’ Is A Thing & Research Shows Turning Cameras Off During Meetings Help Reduce Fatigue

Published

Ft Zoom Meeting
Source:Illinois News Today & New York Post

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.

Zoom fatigue is reportedly worse for women and employees newer to their organization.

The pandemic and the ensuing restrictions which are still ongoing have caused a major shift in working life and have resulted in many employees having to work from home and get used to virtual meetings as part of daily life.

The increased uptake of virtual meetings has caused many workers to feel drained and lacking energy, a feeling now commonly recognisable as “Zoom fatigue“.

Unfortunately, as many of us probably know, there is not much we can do to avoid virtual meetings as they have inevitably replaced face to face workplace interactions for the foreseeable future.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Virtual Meetings

 

However, research conducted by the USA’s University of Arizona has revealed that the camera may be partially to blame.

McClelland Professor of Management and Organisations and University Distinguished Scholar Allison Gabriel’s research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology looks at the role of cameras in employee fatigue and explores whether these feelings are worse for certain employees.

She said that “There’s always this assumption that if you have your camera on during meetings, you are going to be more engaged.”

“But there’s also a lot of self-presentation pressure associated with being on camera. Having a professional background and looking ready, or keeping children out of the room are among some of the pressures.”

After a four-week experiment involving 103 participants and more than 1,400 observations, Gabriel and her colleagues found that it is indeed more exhausting to have your camera on during a virtual meeting.

Gabriel revealed that “When people had cameras on or were told to keep cameras on, they reported more fatigue than their non-camera using counterparts, that fatigue correlated to less voice and less engagement during meetings.”

This would mean that those who have their cameras on were potentially participating less than those not using cameras which goes against the notion that having your camera on during a virtual meeting is equal to you “participating”.

Zooms

 

What is also surprising is that Gabriel found that these effects were stronger for women and for employees newer to the organisation. This is likely due to the added pressures of self-presentation

“Employees who tend to be more vulnerable in terms of their social position in the workplace, such as women and newer, less tenured employees, have a heightened feeling of fatigue when they must keep cameras on during meetings.”

She further added that “Women often feel the pressure to be effortlessly perfect or have a greater likelihood of child care interruptions, and newer employees feel like they must be on camera and participate in order to show productiveness.”

Mom Working From Home

 

Moving forward, Gabriel suggests that employers should not expect employees to turn on their cameras during virtual meetings and instead, let employees decide.

“At the end of the day, we want employees to feel autonomous and supported at work in order to be at their best. Having autonomy over using the camera is another step in that direction,” Gabriel said.

Check the full study and its results here.

 

Do you agree? Let us know in the comments!

 

Also read: “Zoom fatigue is real” M’sian Teacher Shares How She Struggles With WFH & Online Classes

Online Class

Source: Display Note
Source: Unsplash
Source: RingCentral

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.



Just In

Collage 89 Collage 89
News10 hours ago

Johor Government May Implement a 4.5-Day Workweek in the Near Future

A 4-day workweek sounds ideal, but a 4-and-a-half day workweek doesn’t sound bad either. Johoreans may be in luck next...

My Post 1 2024 11 21T160023.537 My Post 1 2024 11 21T160023.537
News12 hours ago

“UPSR get D, SPM can get A” – PMX Responds to BERSIH Giving Him a Grade D in ‘Report Card’

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has opened up about BERSIH’s ‘report card‘ on his administration’s performance in conjunction with...

My Post 1 2024 11 21T114442.032 1 My Post 1 2024 11 21T114442.032 1
News16 hours ago

PDRM is Offering 60% Off Selected Traffic Summons at Govt’s 2nd Anniversary Event This Weekend!

In conjunction with the MADANI government’s 2nd anniversary on 24 November (Sunday), the Ministry of Home Affairs of Malaysia (KDN)...

Collage 17 1 Collage 17 1
News1 day ago

MCPF Calls for Vape Ban, Warns Addiction to Substances Can Lead to Unhealthy Behaviours Like Theft

The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) is urging for the sale of e-cigarettes or vape devices to be banned or...

Feat Image Lesen Feat Image Lesen
News1 day ago

Anthony Loke: Road Users in M’sia May Have to Pay for Physical Driving License Cards Starting Next Year

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook today iterated that the Government will continue with the implementation of digital driving licenses...

Collage 15 2 Collage 15 2
News1 day ago

Filipino Couple Caught Living & Working Illegally in Malaysia Using Fake MyKads That Cost RM250 Each

A Filipino husband and wife were arrested during a raid on November 19 at a house in Pandan Indah yesterday...

Feat Image Apple Ind Feat Image Apple Ind
News1 day ago

Apple Offers to Increase Investment in Indonesia Tenfold to RM446 Million to Lift Country’s iPhone 16 Series Ban

Previously, we shared how the Apple iPhone 16 Series is banned from being sold in Indonesia until the tech giant...

My Post 1 2024 11 20T144359.263 My Post 1 2024 11 20T144359.263
News2 days ago

BERSIH Names Ismail Sabri the Best PM Since 2009, Calls Out PMX for Lack of Urgency with Reforms

In conjunction with the upcoming 2nd anniversary (24 November) of Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections,...

Announcement

Latest Videos



TRENDING TODAY