Article Jan 5, 2021 3 min read

How to prevent video meeting fatigue

Pexip

Jan 5, 2021 3 min read

Pexip

For years, video meetings have played an important role in transitioning companies to a more modern work culture. Then, with the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, what was once a tool of convenience became a sudden, critical necessity. For many businesses, this has meant equipping employees with the video solutions they need to stay productive and engaged, whether working from home, the office, or a hybrid arrangement of both.

While video conferencing has been critical to maintaining business continuity through these unprecedented times, video meeting fatigue has become a common complaint for remote workers. There are some simple ways to help combat this new workplace challenge and create an environment that’s both positive for workers’ mental well-being and productive to their workday.

First, ask: do we really need a meeting?

Just like in the office, in some cases an issue can be solved through an email or chat rather than setting aside time for a formal meeting. Eliminating unnecessary meetings helps combat video fatigue while also freeing up more time for other tasks.

Make your meetings productive

Say no to meetings that do not have an agenda, and when necessary, set boundaries around your participation. If you’re only needed to provide status updates, for instance, colleagues should understand if you need to drop off after giving updates.

When hosting a meeting, only invite necessary participants, and make sure others have the information needed to come to the conversation prepared. Make a plan for what you want to get out of the meeting and what decisions need to be made, and communicate those expectations with the participants.

If possible, avoid scheduling too many meetings in one day.

If it’s crunch time and many conversations are needed, at least try to schedule meetings with small breaks in between. Stand up, stretch, and pour yourself a fresh coffee. Use these small moments away from the screen to get settled with any personal comforts and shift your focus and energy to the topic of the next call. Better yet, schedule your meetings for 20 minutes instead of 30, and 50 minutes instead of an hour. You’ll be surprised what you can accomplish in a shorter time frame.

Limit the number of video chats outside of work hours.

If possible, pick up the phone and call your friend the old-fashioned way instead of using video. She might also be tired from a long day of video meetings at work and appreciate the break, too.

Be open and honest with your coworkers, and encourage them to do the same.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious about what’s going on around you at home, ask if it’s ok to make some small adjustments. This could be switching to audio-only or taking a few more minutes to get settled. Workers around the globe are dealing with similar challenges as we navigate these difficult times, and your fellow meeting participants are likely to be understanding.

Finally, choose the right video meeting technology.

The video tool itself should be making your day easier, not more complicated. Pexip’s technology provides a simple and seamless end-user experience, which, with the volume of video meetings happening these days, is more important than ever. Removing complexity around entering and participating in the meeting helps each user focus on the conversation rather than feeling distracted by the technology.

With many workers feeling isolated at home, having a reliable video platform can also help maintain social connections between coworkers. The ability for colleagues to meet and collaborate securely can recreate the feeling of being in the same room, and give virtual meetings a much-needed human dynamic. With features like real-time face detection and auto framing, interactions look and feel more natural, making video communication more comfortable.

Want to learn more about how to optimize your remote work experience? Check out our Work from Home Hub.

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