In-Person Meetings Boost Connections, Productivity and Creativity

No technology will ever replace the magic and energy that exists when people get together for an in-person meeting

New research revealed that 51% of U.S. employees feel that meeting in person is important because it boosts productivity and creativity.

In addition, 49% think it creates a sense of belonging to the team.

The survey, which explores hybrid working patterns, is based on a sample of 1,000 U.S. employees who work from an office or from home.

The study showed that 71% of U.S. employees are somewhat or very happy with the current work model in place at their company.

In fact, of the 58% of U.S. employees required to go into the office a certain number of days a week or month, 48% say they wouldn’t change anything. This is compared to 41% who are generally happy, but wish for more flexibility, 8% who would like to go into the office less and 3% who would like to go into the office more.

The survey also showed that 32% of US employees work three times a week from the office compared to those that work five days (24%), four days (20%), two days (16%) a week or less (8%).

Technology will never replace the magic and energy that exists when people get together in person. That’s why so many businesses are keen to encourage workers to return to the office and why, as the survey shows, many employees are embracing it – because the meetings that matter, happen in person.

According to the study, 62% of U.S. employees have the same working model post-pandemic as they did pre-pandemic, while 18% have shifted to a hybrid model post-pandemic. Only 4% of U.S. employees have shifted to a fully remote working model.

The need for in-person connections is deeply rooted in who we are as human beings. Those in-real-life connections enable meaningful interactions, business opportunities and team success stories, which are necessary for businesses to thrive.

Remote and hybrid working models pre- and post-pandemic

• U.S. workers have more or less shifted back to pre-pandemic working models with 40% working fully from the office pre-pandemic compared to 31% post-pandemic

• Pre-pandemic, nearly 50% (49) of U.S. workers had some form of a hybrid or remote working model, whether that included some remote days, half from the office/half from home or fully remote

Post-pandemic,

• nearly 70% (68.9) of U.S. workers have some form of hybrid or remote working models, whether that includes some remote days, half from the office/half from home or fully remote

• 85% (84.7) are working either fully from the office or mostly from the office, whether that includes some remote days or half from the office and half from home

• only 15% of U.S. workers are fully remote or mostly remote

What in-person meetings are used for

• 34% of U.S. employees use their time in the office for brainstorming or strategy sessions with colleagues, followed by 33% who use it to meet with their manager or team and 33% who use it to attend workshops or skill development sessions

• In-person meetings are also used for large meetings with multiple people (31%), meeting new team members (29%) and social events (26%)