Are video calls hurting your employees? 80% of workers have physical ailments from online meetings

Since the shift to remote work, managers have been imploring workers to turn their cameras on for virtual meetings. But it’s not just to make sure employees are paying attention — it could be making them happier, too. 

A new survey conducted by Cisco’s Webex found that employees who turn on their video in meetings were more content with their employer, and 43% of those who use their video all the time have no plans to leave their current job. 

“The right technology impacts people’s ability to work effectively,” says Aruna Ravichandran, SVP and chief marketing officer at Cisco’s Webex. “Healthier and happier employees are more loyal.” 

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While technology has been the backbone of the pandemic work era, not having the right tools can severely impact worker morale and productivity. Webex found that just half of workers have the right technology to do their job, and only 39% feel their employer’s meeting software lets them communicate easily with others. 

Employers have taken note: HR and IT leaders say that investing in home offices for employees is part of their larger plan. But so far it hasn’t been done fast enough or missteps were made along the way, as this immediate shift to remote work was not anticipated for most companies at the start of the pandemic. 

The impact of poor work setups and reliance on video calls more than two years into the pandemic is catching up with employees: 95% of workers are now feeling fatigued from video meetings, and 81% say they have physical ailments like neck and shoulder pain, headaches, eye strain, blurry vision, ringing ears, sore throat or voice hoarseness and general aches and pains, the survey found.

“Since home offices are now an extension of the work office, leaders must consider their technology decisions more carefully,” Ravichandran says. “The alternatives can result in fatigue issues caused by frustrating work conditions and increased employee turnover, which is costly to the business.”

Although the roll-out of hybrid work has not been seamless, most people prefer the freedom a remote position allows. 

“The basic tenet of hybrid work is flexibility — in location, work hours, and schedule,” says Ravichandran. “Employees are taking advantage of that to enjoy more independence.”

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To maintain the benefits of remote work and minimize the pitfalls, employers can make sure they don’t schedule back-to-back meetings, or provide time in between for employees to take breaks, the survey suggests. Employers can also ensure their tech is up to par by helping employees avoid pain points like network issues, background noise, and poor sound. 

There also needs to be a multifaceted approach to addressing employee needs where one size does not fit all. Workers have a range of familial and personal issues that can feel more prevalent when working remotely. An employer’s culture and technology needs to respond effectively and appropriately, no matter the scenario. 

“At Cisco, we have moved away from a singular approach to work — when and how employees work — to focus on productivity and output,” Ravichandran says. “To that end, we’ve built our suite of devices and released new application features so employers can deliver the best experiences for their people, no matter how, where, or when they work.”