In a recent study conducted by Business technology solutions provider Brother UK, it has become abundantly clear that the meeting culture in UK offices is in need of a revamp. The research - based on a survey of 2,000 office workers - highlighted a growing concern among employees regarding the excessive time wasted in meetings, leading to decreased productivity and frustration.
The findings reveal that a staggering 55% of the surveyed office workers believe they spend too much time in meetings. Even more concerning is the fact that 57% of respondents claimed they only attend one useful meeting per week. These statistics raise questions about the efficiency and purpose of the meetings that take up a significant part of the workday.
It's clear that a significant portion of office workers yearn for shorter meetings. A resounding 81% of respondents believe that shorter calls and catch-ups could achieve the same outcomes, providing them with more time to focus on their actual responsibilities. This desire for brevity highlights a growing consensus among employees that time could be better spent elsewhere.
The study uncovered several common complaints among office workers regarding what hinders productive meetings. The most significant grievances include excessive waffling (59%), too much small talk (48%), latecomers (31%) and individuals not paying attention (31%). Additionally, more than a third (43%) of respondents suspect that their colleagues often attempt to multitask and complete other work during meetings, further undermining their effectiveness.
Brother UK's research also exposed a significant issue with meeting facilitation. Over half of respondents (53%) stated that they regularly attend unengaging and poorly structured meetings. This issue becomes even more pronounced among remote workers, with a staggering 67% expressing their dissatisfaction with the quality of virtual meetings. It is evident that the manner in which meetings are organised and conducted plays a vital role in their effectiveness.
The survey participants also provided insights into the conditions that make meetings more productive. Morning, in-person meetings with strict agendas and action notes were deemed the most effective. This preference for face-to-face meetings was expressed by two-thirds of the respondents (67%), who believed that they are more productive than virtual meetings. This sentiment held true even among staff working remotely, with 57% favouring in-person interactions.
According to the research, timekeeping is of paramount importance to 88% of respondents in holding a productive meeting. Following closely behind is adhering to a strict agenda (78%), circulating action notes (74%), putting away laptops and phones during in-person meetings (73%), and keeping cameras on during virtual meetings (61%). These findings emphasise the significance of structure, discipline and active participation in making meetings worthwhile.
The consequences of drawn-out, unproductive meetings extend beyond wasted time. A significant number of the respondents admitted to feeling frustrated (54%), demotivated (27%), and even thinking less of their colleagues (25%) when meetings overrun or fail to serve their intended purpose. This highlights the importance of addressing the issues in the current meeting culture to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
Phil Jones MBE - Managing Director at Brother UK - stated:
“It’s clear that the UK’s meeting culture still heavily contributes to workplace productivity. Bringing people together will always be an important part of culture, problem-solving, building relationships, and developing new customers. Many meetings could be shorter and provide people with more free time to focus on delivery.”
He added:
“There is still work to do to right the UK’s meeting culture, even in our own business. Greater consideration on time, place, and how to better facilitate calls and catchups will help nurture more productive meetings, more often.”
