Video calls became commonplace in April 2020, and since then many have complained of feeling completely drained. Research has shown that video call fatigue is very real, and here’s why:
1. Can they hear, or are you frozen?
In real-life silence is a part of the natural rhythm of conversation. However, studies have shown that even a 1.2 second delay in responding on a video call can be perceived as a person being friendly or less focused. Therefore, silence can make us very anxious.
2. Looking at our own face is stressful.
Viewing our own negative facial reactions, like boredom or frustration, can lead to more intense emotions.
3. What if the kids run in?
This applies to any kind of disruption – kids running in, babies crying, the gate bell ringing unexpectedly. Even if there are no distractions, the sub-conscious stress of a potential distraction weighs heavily.
4. We miss out on non-verbal communication.
On a video chat we have to pay far more attention to non-verbal cues, which uses a lot of energy. Similarly, we have to pay consistent attention to the other person’s face, whereas in a normal meeting we may take notes, gaze out of the window, or confer with a colleague which are not considered rude.
5. No water-cooler catch-ups.
A physical environment acts as a cognitive scaffold which encourages creativity and collaboration. Grabbing a coffee, a glass of water, or lunch together is vitally important for your team.
Productivity is not always optimal within home environments.
Although there was an initial spike in productivity when companies started working from home, there has been a steady decline as work-from-home scenarios have become more permanent. This may be attributable in part to the negative effect solitary working has on one’s mental health. Poor mental health contributes to lack of motivation.
Working from home has a negative effect on company culture.
Coworkers being siloed from each other.
When coworkers are around each other in a normal environment they latch onto cues which allow them to grasp others’ work standards and expectations. Social interaction is strongly correlated with job satisfaction.
Feelings of isolation.
The lack of close contact hinders these key ingredients in an effective working relationship: trust, connection, and mutual purpose.
It’s harder to keep people enthusiastic about a common goal.
High spirits are very hard to promote digitally. At the same time, creativity and collaboration is also very hard to foster via video calls.
Although a small portion of workers (16% according to studies) make mention of the fact that they feel their quality of life, and work, has improved by working from home, the majority of us need to work in an environment which is conducive to social interaction.
Why choose a flexible, coworking office space?
In addition to counteracting all of the negative aspects associated with remote working (listed above), studies have shown that individuals who work from coworking spaces are even happier than their traditional workspace counterparts. Although coworking and flexible office space is often viewed as a home for freelancers, consultants, and entrepreneurs, there is a worldwide trend that bigger, corporate companies are moving into these types of spaces, here’s why:
- No long-term leases
- The ability to expand into a new city, or country, without the burden of finding real-estate
- All auxiliary services are set up already
- Working time flexibility – after-hours work can be facilitated under secure conditions
- Not all team members need to be on site at all times due to flexibility around leases and pricing
- Coworking spaces are often crafted with the best furniture, beautiful lighting, and plants, to stimulate comfort and happiness
- Coworking spaces are often in the best nodes of a city, with ease of access to shopping malls, transport, and other services
Perch now offers you and your team more flexibility.
In addition to all of our flexible services, Perch now offers you and your team (up to 20 members) the option to work from Perch for set hourly packages. From 10 hours at R1000, we can accommodate 160 hours p/m. Find out more here.