Let's go back to 2019 before the pandemic and before remote work was the norm. Most of us were spending time commuting each day and catching up with our colleagues in the kitchen at the office while our single cups of coffee brewed. We would then return to our desk for a solid block of work, take a break for lunch with a colleague or two, make some phone calls, chat and get another cup of coffee, maybe visit a client or two, and wrap up our day with a commute home. In the "in-person" world, video calls happened maybe once each day with colleagues in other locations, depending on your line of work and industry.
Fast forward to the present day and the world of remote work. Even though we work at home, our immediate networks of colleagues and contacts have actually gotten larger. Many companies have endeavored to create a community for their employees during the pandemic due to the lack of in-person interaction, but this has contributed to an increased number of work-sponsored groups and meetings, including cross-team collaboration meetings, brainstorming meetings, training sessions, team social hours, employee resource group meetings, talent shows, employee bonding activities, and peer to peer chats. All of these meetings are happening virtually, and many of those around you are tired - tired of being on video calls for several hours each day. Video fatigue is real.
The intensity of being in a meeting on video is quite different than being in an in-person meeting. In an in-person meeting, you can choose your seat and determine just how visible you want to be. You can choose to be right in the spotlight or to blend in with the background. People can also focus on many different things at once during an in-person meeting. Several conversations may be happening on the side with participants before and after the meeting, and we also take notice of our environmental surroundings.
On a video call, however, there you are. Your face is on a grid in clear view for everyone on the call to stare at. For some people, this is no big deal. But for those who are introverts, have social anxiety, or are just plain tired, being in clear view on video for several hours each day can be their own version of hell.
The next time one of your colleagues chooses not to be on video on a call, don't be the person to call them out and ask why they're not on camera. We already know the answer. It's because they're tired of being in the spotlight for the time being. Being on video is a lot of work and takes a lot of energy. Video fatigue is real.
Comentários