Written by Vanessa Melendez, B.S.

Reference:  Bennett, A. A., Campion, E. D., Keeler, K. R., & Keener, S. K. (2021). Videoconference fatigue? exploring changes in fatigue after videoconference meetings during COVID-19. Journal of Applied Psychology, 106(3), 330–344.

Since Covid-19, workers have returned to in-person settings. However, many still participate in video conferences. Research shows employees prefer remote to in-person meetings as they are more efficient. But they feel fatigue and less camaraderie. 

To test factors contributing to video conference fatigue, 55 participants from various industries completed a demographics questionnaire, 9 hourly reaction surveys, and three open-ended questions daily for 5 days. Participants reported how they felt after video conferences, and how they have changed their approach since March 2020 to reduce their videoconference fatigue.

Recommendations? Due to a productivity-fatigue tradeoff, schedule meetings at a low-fatiguing time of day—earlier in the day. Take breaks, stretch, look away from the screen. Enhance feelings of belongingness: encourage brief periods of everyone brainstorming problems or sharing ideas in genuine conversation and humor.  This reduces mere obligatory attention. Lastly, unless someone is speaking, have everyone mute their microphones. Permit a quiet environment so all can focus. Hide your own distracting self-screen but view other participants.

Bring people together over long distance, by fostering belonging, and considering fatigue levels! Understand that productivity levels fluctuate and encourage what works best for all!