The amount of time spent in meetings has decreased by 31% in the past few years, according to a survey of 1,300 workers.
Despite this reduction, meetings are still taking longer, with an average duration of 51.9 minutes, up from 50.6 in 2021. The survey found that employees spend 37% of their work hours in meetings, translating to an estimated $29,000 per worker yearly.
The primary issue is team meetings, averaging 6.7 per week, even though eight in 10 workers canceled or rescheduled one of these meetings in the past year due to scheduling conflicts. The rise of remote work during the pandemic has renewed the focus on in-person meetings to maintain connections with colleagues, increasing the number of meetings.
While meetings have their place, they must be a good use of time, according to Reclaim.ai co-founder and COO Henry Shapiro. Many workers are overcommitted, attending only 83% of their scheduled meetings, with the main reason being a conflict with another meeting. Despite dissatisfaction with meetings, they are often essential for learning and problem-solving, according to senior labor economist Ron Hetrick of Lightcast.
Shapiro schedules only a few meetings on Wednesdays, when he is in the office, to prioritize productivity and learning. The survey found that workers spend about three hours a week booking and rescheduling meetings. The main reason for canceling or rescheduling meetings is to focus on something more important. Meetings are essential for building relationships and learning how to work through problems, according to Hetrick.
Shapiro believes that Wednesdays are some of his least productive days, but they are also his best days in terms of learning and growth. While there has been a reduction in the amount of time spent in meetings, they are still taking longer and require more efficient scheduling. The emphasis on in-person meetings during the pandemic has highlighted the importance of maintaining connections with colleagues, but there needs to be a balance between meeting frequency and productivity.
By prioritizing efficiency and focusing on essential meetings, workers can make the most of their time and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
