New research from Jabra shows that millennials are more than four times as likely to feel left out in online meetings compared to other generations.
The research from Jabra, the 2023 edition of the company’s Hybrid Ways of Working Global Report, identified that 58% of all meetings are now held in meeting rooms, with half of all meetings involving online participants. The study identified that 55% of workers said that vide helps them feel as involved as when they are in the office, with the same number believing that they are more engaged or involved in meetings that those with video off.
The study involved 1,845 people, conducted online within the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, and Japan by Toluna on behalf of Jabra from 13 April 2023 – 21 April 2023.
According to the research, when asked how often millennials felt left out of conversations in online meetings, millennials were more than four times as likely as boomers to say that they feel this way.
Similarly, gen x and boomers reported to were twice as likely to say that they never feel left out of hybrid conversations.
Considered “digital natives”, millennials are a generation born roughly between 1981-1996. The research suggests that not enough is being done to support staff returning to offices when familiarising themselves with meeting room technology. 45% of employees in the survey say that they are hesitant to take meetings in a meeting room because they are less comfortable with the technology compared to using their own laptop.
The Jabra research highlighted that 55% of employees agreed that colleagues using video in meetings are seen to be more competent, engaged and trustworthy in in meetings than those who do not, however some also found that they feel pressured to have their cameras on.
Holger Reisinger, SVP, Jabra, commented: “As we all know, hybrid work is now the norm for millions of knowledge workers worldwide, bringing with it new challenges to the way we collaborate with one another. While employees speak to the well-being benefits of flexible work, many employers have struggled to lead widely distributed teams. Moving forward, it’s essential that leaders give employees the tools they need and allow them to join meetings from where it best suits them. This will instil trust, empower decision-making, and allow the best ideas to rise to the top.”