We’ve all got a bad case of Zoom fatigue
If even the CEO of Zoom has video-conferencing fatigue, what hope is there for the rest of us? Eric Yuan channelled his inner Gerald Ratner on Thursday by declaring: “I do [have Zoom fatigue]. I can tell you last April, on a particular day, I had a total of 19 Zoom meetings. I’m so tired of that.”
I hate meetings as much as the next person with actual stuff to be getting on with, but the virtual variety are certainly the worst. Haven’t you also noticed how there are so many more people on a Zoom call than would have been physically present in pre-covid times? These days you get every Tom, Dick and Harry turning up at these online pow-wows, desperate to prove they’re not “shirking from home”.
Having covered major events like the death of the Duke of Edinburgh partially from home, I’m not one of those Luddites who thinks you cannot work productively if you’re within metres of a biscuit tin. But the truth is that no business that respects its workforce should deny them the right to work in an office.
If employees really are to enjoy the benefits of “flexible” working, then both the option of working from home and with colleagues should be on the table, not only for their professional and personal well-being but also the Overrated: virtual meetings are a poor substitute for real life benefit of the company itself. Important information is generally better communicated face to face, allowing for mutual collaboration, trust to build up and new ideas to formulate.
Moreover, how can your boss tell if you’re struggling at work or suffering from burnout from behind a computer screen? Those boasting that they may never have to commute again should be careful what they wish for.
So who knew “box
blight” was a thing?
I’ve had so much feedback on the rapid deterioration of my bushes that I’m considering setting up a Gardeners Anonymous support group for greenfingered types trying to overcome this evil scourge – which may or may not be linked to a gang of hungry caterpillars. Remedies appear to range from Monty Don-ning a hazmat suit and burning the stricken shrubs in the presence of an RHS officer to spraying them with insecticide while praying the rosary.
Being a (lapsed) Catholic with Amazon Prime next day delivery, I’ve gone the Bug Clear and benediction route for now. Wish me luck!