The Street - Zoom meetings are actually making you less productive

Original Complete article from The Street - Jennifer Moss

By Jennifer Moss 6 minute read

Video conferencing has surged in use since the pandemic, but it may be hurting productivity rather than enhancing it, according to Jennifer Moss. In 2019, video conferencing minutes totalled 45 billion annually, but by 2020, this number skyrocketed to 157% of its previous value, reaching 252 billion minutes per year. While video meetings played a crucial role during the pandemic, She argues that their excessive use has led to inefficiencies and disengagement in the workplace.

Jennifer points out that organizations are questioning a decline in productivity despite the increase in meeting minutes. In 2023, there was a slight decrease of about 5%, but by 2024, meeting minutes hit a new high, showing that the lessons about over-relying on video calls haven't been learned. The overuse of video meetings contributes to employee exhaustion, boredom, and disengagement, with some high performers choosing to leave or disengage because they feel uncomfortable or disconnected during virtual meetings.

Jennifer suggests companies reset and redefine the rules around video conferencing and explore alternative communication methods, such as phone calls, which can often be more efficient. By adjusting meeting practices and embracing diverse communication modalities, companies can reduce burnout and improve productivity, fostering a healthier and more effective work environment.

Read the complete article at The Street.