Report: 80% of Indian workers feel exhausted from excessive meetings

New Delhi, March 21 (IANS) About 80 per cent of Indian employees have expressed feeling drained on days with numerous meetings, as per a recent report by Atlassian Corporation. The study, encompassing 5,000 knowledge workers in five countries, highlighted the struggle of balancing workloads with meeting schedules, affecting productivity and mental well-being.

According to the Australia-based software firm, 90 per cent of Indian workers find it challenging to complete their tasks alongside attending meetings. Dom Price, Work Futurist at Atlassian, emphasized the significance of intentional and innovative work practices, urging teams to embrace dynamic async tools for effective collaboration.

The report uncovered the ineffectiveness of meetings, with workers acknowledging that meetings often fail to achieve their objectives 60 per cent of the time. Individuals cited lack of productivity in meetings as the primary obstacle hindering their daily responsibilities, surpassing other barriers like motivation, unclear goals, and loneliness in the workplace.

Interestingly, 70 per cent of Indian workers admitted to feeling isolated at work, despite actively participating in meetings, a figure higher than the global average of 55 per cent. Furthermore, a staggering 82 per cent believed that meetings could be streamlined for better efficiency, indicating unnecessary time spent in meetings.

The study also highlighted the prevalence of overtime work among Indian employees, with 74 per cent stating they have to work extra hours several days a week due to meeting overload, in contrast to 51 per cent globally. These findings underscore the need for organizations to reassess their meeting strategies to ensure optimal productivity and well-being among employees.

In conclusion, the report sheds light on the detrimental impact of excessive meetings on Indian workers, emphasizing the urgent need for a shift towards more purposeful and efficient communication practices in the workplace. Organizations are encouraged to explore innovative tools and approaches to foster collaboration while alleviating the burden of unproductive meetings on employees.