American workers are quickly losing interest in work meetings, with disengagement setting in after just 27 minutes, according to a recent survey. The study, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of VSP Vision Care, interviewed 2,000 employed Americans and found that nearly 71% of them participate in virtual meetings, but only manage to stay focused for less than 30 minutes before their attention wanes and eye strain sets in.
The research also revealed that the average worker switches between four different screens throughout the workday, leading to what is commonly referred to as “screen fatigue.” About one-third of respondents experience this fatigue on a daily basis, with 18% reporting struggling multiple times a day. This constant exposure to screens has resulted in 40% of respondents feeling that their eye health has deteriorated over the past year.
Dr. Jenn Chinn, a second-generation optometrist at Dr. Chinn’s Vision Care in San Diego, California, emphasized the importance of annual eye exams in today’s digital world. She highlighted that these exams not only help protect and treat eyes from digital eye strain but also play a crucial role in assessing overall eye health and potentially identifying other serious health conditions such as diabetes. Despite this, the survey revealed that 31% of respondents had not had an eye exam in the last two years.
Interestingly, the survey also explored the more entertaining aspects of virtual meetings. Respondents reported seeing pets (41%), other family members (29%), and even stumbled upon new and intriguing aspects of their colleagues’ lives (23%). On the flip side, some distractions in virtual meetings came from unusual items in the background (22%), difficulty discerning what is behind someone (17%), and even witnessing embarrassing or inappropriate things (16%).
The survey also shed light on the dress code for virtual meetings. While two-thirds of respondents admitted to adopting a “business up top, casual on the bottom” approach, the younger generations, particularly Gen Z and millennials, were more likely to wear professional tops and casual bottoms compared to older generations. The survey revealed that individuals who dressed professionally were taken more seriously during virtual meetings, with 74% of millennials agreeing. In contrast, only 55% of baby boomers reported the same sentiment.
Furthermore, respondents believed that individuals wearing obviously professional clothing, having perfectly combed hair, or wearing glasses were more likely to be engaged in the meeting compared to those who turned their cameras on and off or were still in their pajamas. Glasses, in particular, were associated with intelligence and professionalism by 32% and 49% of respondents, respectively.
Dr. Valerie Sheety-Pilon, vice president of clinical and medical affairs at VSP Vision, warned about the impact of excessive screen exposure and the blue light emitted by devices. She explained that frequent symptoms such as blurry vision, dry eyes, and headaches experienced after just 30 minutes of screen time are indicative of digital eye strain. Dr. Sheety-Pilon emphasized the importance of regular eye exams, practicing good visual hygiene, and wearing appropriate prescription eyewear, including blue-light-reducing technology if recommended by an eye care provider.
In conclusion, this survey highlights the short attention span of American workers in virtual meetings and the prevalence of screen fatigue. It also uncovers some entertaining aspects of virtual meetings, such as unexpected appearances by pets and family members. The impact of dress code on perceived professionalism is evident, with professionals who dress appropriately taken more seriously. However, the importance of eye health and regular eye exams cannot be overstated in today’s digital world.
