Jugo, a global leader in immersive virtual experiences, released survey data that unpacks American workers’ virtual habits, including their worst behaviors during a digital meeting and their thoughts on the do’s and don’ts when it comes to virtual etiquette.
Informed by the survey’s findings, Jugo has created an etiquette guide to help remote and hybrid workers avoid the most significant virtual meeting faux pas. The free Jugo Virtual Meeting Etiquette 101 can serve as the standard for organization leaders and HR executives as they align on company-wide protocols regarding virtual workplace etiquette.
“As we usher in a more digitalized world globally, we believe we need to understand and define the behaviors within a virtual space that convey politeness, respect and kindness towards others,” said Joseph Toma, CEO of Jugo. “Our free guide is the perfect antidote to the confusion and lack of knowledge that permeates the virtual world, defining new and appropriate standards for virtual interaction within hybrid and remote workplaces.”
Jugo partnered with Elaine Swann, an authority in corporate and social etiquette, who shares tips and advice on etiquette, communication and relationships through her social media pages, to offer tactical tips that ensure virtual and hybrid employees understand and can implement appropriate behavior.
“When the pandemic first hit, workers and companies were thrust into remote work and video conferencing without any real guidance or protocols. People shifted and moved based upon the correction of mishaps and embarrassing incidents,” said Swann. “Now that we are on the other side of the pandemic, it’s clear that video conferencing will remain a key part of the work environment. Businesses need to implement a clear set of standards and guidelines that benefit the workplace. The goal is to have the employees represent themselves and the company well. Companies can wisely provide the necessary tools and systems for them to do so.”
With remote and hybrid work here to stay, a significant portion (36.9 percent) of the U.S. population spends time in virtual meetings. As these meetings become the norm, workers must be aware of pitfalls, such as not having good eye contact.
“The Jugo platform’s AI audio and visual tools are designed to address the pitfalls that hinder employee engagement, such as lack of eye contact, speaker focus, noise removal, and room echo,” said Toma. “These powerful tools deliver an additional layer of engagement, replicating the experience and benefit of face-to-face interactions in the digital workplace.”
More than a quarter (26.7 percent) of Americans find it hard to pay attention in meetings because of poor eye contact, 30.6 percent acknowledge they look at themselves in a meeting, and 13 percent don’t look at meeting participants.
Although many respondents (46.4 percent) confirm virtual meetings are their preferred setup — citing increased productivity as the reason — there is also evidence that focus can be a struggle.
More than a third (34.2 percent) of Americans find it hard to pay attention if co-workers are distracted rather than giving their full attention. Some behaviors of virtual participants reveal a dramatic lack of engagement during a meeting:
- 68 percent have texted friends
- 6 percent have gone for a walk
- 25 percent have worked out
- 9 percent have slept
- 2 percent have had sex
The survey confirms that remote, virtual meetings are causing Americans to neglect their workday appearance. Many Americans (46.7 percent) are not dressing for success in the virtual world, with 21.8 percent of respondents wearing sweatpants and five percent wearing nothing during a virtual meeting.
Less than half (42.5 percent) shave and shower, and more than a third (39 percent) don’t style their hair before a virtual meeting.
Nor are participants always conducting business in the ideal environment:
- 4 percent have taken a meeting while in the bathroom
- 2 percent from a gas station
- 3 percent from a gym
But when it comes to what is considered the rudest behavior, the worst offense, according to Americans, that’s not muting yourself while there is background noise (29.3 percent). This beats out someone remaining on camera while picking their nose (24.1 percent) or scrolling on their phone (19.3 percent).
However, despite some questionable activities, Americans also exhibit positive behaviors regarding virtual meetings. An overwhelming majority (84.7 percent) confirm they are always or often on time for virtual meetings and sit up straight and have good posture (78.1 percent ) while on a call.
More than two-thirds (67.5 percent) report they never or only sometimes interrupt others during a virtual meeting.
Click here to access your free and downloadable guide to the biggest do’s and don’ts for working appropriately within the digital world.
For more information, visit Jugo.io
