A new survey by Barco ClickShare shows that nearly one in three workers struggle to feel heard during hybrid meetings, amplifying calls for improved meeting inclusion
KORTRIJK, Belgium, Jan. 25, 2022/PRNewswire/ – Workers have come to expect more flexibility from hybrid work, or an environment that allows employees to work remotely and in a physical workplace. Employees now expect more from hybrid work environments, including greater meeting equity. Meeting equity, as it is simply defined, ensures that remote employees have the same level of collaboration, engagement, and access to a meeting space experience as those who are physically present at the table. A new Barco ClickShare survey has revealed that hybrid workers are becoming more concerned about the perception of a less productive and equal meeting experience, while working independently. Many are even considering new opportunities at organizations where they feel more included.
After almost two years of experience with hybrid work, the Barco ClickShare Hybrid Meeting Survey revealed that more than one third (35%) of workers still have difficulty fully engaging in hybrid meetings. This disconnect is largely due to a perception that there is oversight. 28 percent of hybrid meeting participants find it difficult to make their voices heard from an offsite location. 56 percent of remote participants feel that meeting leaders favor those who are present in the physical meeting space.
“While the ClickShare Hybrid Meeting Survey clearly shows that most workers prefer the hybrid model (80%), 71 percent still struggle to deal with the frictions, technical challenges, and that comes with hybrid engagement,” he said. Lieven BertierSegment Marketing Director, Workplace at Barco. “Hybrid meetings are the foundation of professional collaboration. This data highlights an opportunity for businesses to remove barriers for remote participants and ensure employees feel that they can perform at their best from any location.
The ClickShare Hybrid Survey was compiled in late 2021. It reflects modern workers’ attitudes and preferences as business leaders adjust their operational models, workspaces and organizational cultures to meet changing professional dynamics. The Survey contains input from more that 4,000 workers from around the globe, and captures the technical, emotional, and functional complications that have developed in the wider hybrid work transition.
Technical Frustration: A Gateway for Resignation?
ClickShare Hybrid Meeting Survey reveals that businesses need to improve their hybrid work and meeting equity strategies. Barco discovered that flexibility and hybrid technology are no longer just a way to operate, but a competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining top talent.
Barco found that 71% of workers still have difficulty joining and navigating hybrid meetings. These technical difficulties may be motivating workers to look for new opportunities, as they could have a greater impact upon their professional satisfaction. Nearly three quarters (30%) of workers say they would consider a job offer from a company with a well-defined and documented hybrid policy. This policy includes clear guidelines and tools to ensure successful and efficient participation in hybrid meetings.
Bertier said, “Our Survey confirms that employees’ desire for functional hybrid work is growing.” “Business leaders must establish a formal policy to ensure successful hybrid work. We were shocked to discover that 60% of organizations do not have one. This also includes making investments to drive engagement and give employees the tools and resources to work wherever and whenever they want. These conversations and strategies will only increase in importance as businesses create and implement their return-to office plans.
Working to Be and See
Barco discovered that hybrid workers are not without their problems, but that returning to on-site conference rooms can be difficult. Employees are still trying to replicate the convenient and flexible meeting experience they had while remote. Only 39% of IT managers believe that the rooms are adequate for “Bring Your Own Meeting” despite the fact that 85 percent have at least one dedicated room for video conferencing. 65 percent of workers have trouble understanding the various connectivity points and laptop compatibility options in their office’s conferencing rooms.
These frustrations mirror the feelings Barco captured in its most recent report Meeting BarometerAn ongoing, periodically-updated index that measures workers’ satisfaction with hybrid meeting environments.
Visit this page to learn more about Barco’s ClickShare hybrid work technologies. www.barco.com/clickshare.
About Barco
Barco designs technology that will enable bright outcomes all over the globe. We create visualization and collaboration tools that enable organizations to work together, share insight, and wow their audiences. Our core markets are Enterprise (from meeting rooms and control rooms to corporate spaces), Healthcare, Entertainment, and Radiology (from the radiology department and the operating room). Barco employs over 3,300 people worldwide, whose passion for tech is captured in 430 granted Patents. Visit www.barco.com to learn more. www.barco.com.
SOURCE Barco ClickShare
