Let’s take a trip back to March of 2020.
The realities of the Covid-19 pandemic were just beginning to set in. Across the world, companies were closing down their offices and sending employees home to transition to remote working positions for an uncertain amount of time.
Although unnerving, the health crisis accelerated the world several years into the future by forcing the global workforce to adopt what many were already predicting: distributed workforces operated by advanced technology.
However, as professionals became settled into this new way of working, a new stressor began to emerge from the shadows: Zoom fatigue.
Initially, new remote workers were enticed and even excited about their new arrangements. No longer would they have to spend hours of their morning getting dressed in office clothes and making their long commutes through traffic.
But all good things must come to an end.
Companies who were unprepared for the sudden transition to remote working soon turned to back-to-back virtual meetings to keep a sharp eye on employees.
That’s where Zoom fatigue began to take hold of the new population of remote workers.
- What is Zoom fatigue?
- Zoom fatigue is the feeling of exhaustion and stress that comes with attending multiple virtual meetings within the workday and can lead to decreased productivity and job dissatisfaction.
- Is Zoom fatigue real?
- Yes, reports of Zoom fatigue have soared across the workforce in the past year as more companies adopt remote working policies for the first time, and have little to no experience about how to properly manage a distributed team.
- What are the symptoms of Zoom fatigue?
- Symptoms of Zoom fatigue can range from increased stress, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, low energy, poor sleeping habits, drug and/or alcohol reliance, job cynicism, and more.
- How can I avoid Zoom fatigue?
- Zoom fatigue can be avoided by establishing which meetings are absolutely necessary for teams to attend. If it can be done over instant messaging or an email, do so. Additionally, incorporating “Zoom-less” days that ban virtual meetings on specific work days can help alleviate the pressure of back-to-back meetings.
- Why does Zoom fatigue happen?
- This type of exhaustion occurs when leaders (particularly micromanagers) do not trust employees to complete their tasks and feel the need to monitor remote employees. Because of this, workers often feel that their work is not being appreciated and that they must work overtime to prove their worth within the company.
- Are Zoom meetings more stressful?
- Yes and no. If Zoom meetings are executed right, they can be short, pleasant, and to the point. However, if workers have to dedicate hours each day to Zoom meetings, work can easily pile up and lead to increased feelings of stress.
