Video Call Fatigue Amounts to 862 Million Unproductive Businesses Hours
Connected Brits admit to spending hours getting ready for work-related video calls during lockdown and struggling to get back into the zone once the call is over, leading to millions of hours of ‘wasted’ work time since lockdown.
The study, which was commissioned by Bayfields Opticians & Audiologists and questioned 2000 people, found people spent an average of three hours and 12 minutes each week on video calls – an increase of 120 per cent compared to before lockdown.
As well as amounting to an estimated 56 unproductive working hours per employee since lockdown begun – which amounts to 862 million hours of ‘wasted’ time over the last 22 weeks[i] – the number of hours spent ‘switched on’ has taken its toll on people’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Over half (54 per cent) of Brits have experienced symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, eye strain, anxiety or low moods because of using technology like video calls more during lockdown. On top of that, it takes people an average of 37 minutes to switch off when working at home, and for more than one in ten people (12 per cent) it takes at least an hour to disconnect.
In response to the physical and mental wellbeing issues associated with an increase in ‘connected lifestyles’, Bayfields Opticians & Audiologists has introduced a new range of revolutionary lenses to the UK market that reduce the side effects of using technology throughout the day.
In a recent study, Zeiss SmartLife lenses helped to relieve the symptoms of using multiple screens throughout the day by up to 85%, as well as improving all day visual comfort by 78 per cent.[ii]
Royston Bayfield, founder and managing director of Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists, said: “Using several tech devices throughout the day is common for most people, and this has proved even more prevalent during recent months during lockdown and remote working. But while technology such as video calling apps are great to stay connected with each other, using these for long periods of time can cause eye strain, neck tension and headaches, which can all lead to further physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing problems.
Related:
- The Nation’s Mental Health During Lockdown
- The challenges of Coronavirus and how to protect your employees
- 'Resilience triples with well-rounded wellbeing support'
“What people don’t realise is that our eyes have to adapt as we move between different activities and screens due to peoples different working distances and viewing angles. This can lead to some of the discomforts we feel, as well as prevent us from carrying out the activity as effectively as possible. And whilst some devices are crucial to us succeeding in our working lives, it’s important we find a solution to this challenge.”
The study, conducted in partnership with Aston University Optometry School, found four out of five adapted to the new lenses within 24 hours of first using them, with 43 per cent saying they felt ‘immediately’ comfortable in them.
The results of the study have since been used to support the global launch of the ZEISS SmartLife lens portfolio, which are available at all Bayfields stores across the UK.
Bayfield added: “When the opportunity arose to play a significant part in bringing lenses to market which ease the strain these devices place on our vision, it was certainly something we wanted to contribute to. We’re proud to have worked with ZEISS, Aston University and our own clients on this project and to be involved in something that will futureproof the health, wellbeing and lifestyles of millions of glasses wearers the world over.”
To find your nearest Bayfields store and access ZEISS SmartLife lenses, visit https://www.bayfieldsopticians.com.
Visit our Coronavirus resource centre for more information.
Subscribe to Relocate Extra, our monthly newsletter, to get all the latest international assignments and global mobility news.
Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.Access hundreds of global services and suppliers in our Online Directory©2024 Re:locate magazine, published by Profile Locations, Spray Hill, Hastings Road, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8JB. All rights reserved. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Profile Locations. Profile Locations accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.