Virtual And Zoom Meeting Distraction Statistics [Survey]

Survey Summary. With the rise of remote and hybrid work arrangements, many employees find themselves navigating distractions from home while trying to maintain focus during virtual meetings. Additionally, technical issues can further complicate the experience. The common refrain of “Can you mute yourself?” has become all too familiar for many.

In light of these challenges, Zippia conducted a survey of 2,000 American workers to explore how they are managing distractions during virtual meetings. Here are the key findings on employee behavior during Zoom meetings:

67% of workers report being distracted during virtual meetings.
47% of participants prefer in-person meetings.
55% of employees admit to checking emails during virtual meetings.
The biggest frustration for workers? Unnecessary meetings.
After meetings that could have been emails, workers are most annoyed by loud background noises, late starts, and technical difficulties.
20 states are notably more likely to check emails during meetings.
12 states report multitasking and engaging in other work during meetings, possibly reflecting a culture of overwork.
50% of workers attend 1-3 hours of meetings weekly, which is unfortunate for the 20% who feel meetings are a waste of time.

What People Do During Virtual Meetings

Many individuals are striving to balance their responsibilities by answering emails and multitasking during meetings. However, the temptation to send a quick text or grab a snack from the kitchen is strong.

Over 15% of respondents have the audacity to tackle household chores during Zoom meetings. One can only hope their mic is muted, or colleagues might hear the delightful sounds of a dishwasher. Another 9% face interruptions from childcare, illustrating that work-life balance remains a challenge.

Curious about other activities? So were we, and our survey respondents were eager to share their experiences.

Other common activities during meetings:

Feeling frustrated or annoyed with coworkers
Taking care of pets
Personal grooming
Walking around or pacing
Lying in bed
Watching television
Napping
Using the bathroom

We also heard some amusing uncommon responses, such as applying for a new job, attending a virtual birthday party, and going for a jog.

What Is Annoying Everyone So Much?

Frustration and annoyance are common themes, particularly when it comes to virtual meetings. When asked about their biggest annoyances, workers frequently cited “unnecessary meetings,” “late starts,” “loud background noises,” and “technical difficulties.”

Approximately 20% of employees believe their meetings lack productivity, as evidenced by the number who utilize meeting time to respond to emails or engage in other work. It’s no wonder that many employees dread meetings and anything that prolongs them unnecessarily.

Most Common Work Distractions By State

State	What They Do During Meetings
Alabama	Checking emails
Alaska	Checking emails
Arizona	Texting
Arkansas	Texting
California	Checking emails
Colorado	Multitasking
Connecticut	Texting
Delaware	Multitasking
Florida	Checking emails
Georgia	Checking emails
Hawaii	Texting
Idaho	Snack
Illinois	Checking emails
Indiana	Multitasking
Iowa	Checking emails
Kansas	Texting
Kentucky	Multitasking
Louisiana	Multitasking
Maine	Surf the internet
Maryland	Texting
Massachusetts	Texting
Michigan	Snack
Minnesota	Checking emails
Mississippi	Checking emails
Missouri	Texting
Montana	Snack
Nebraska	Multitasking
Nevada	Multitasking
New Hampshire	Multitasking
New Jersey	Checking emails
New Mexico	Checking emails
New York	Checking emails
North Carolina	Checking emails
Ohio	Checking emails
Oklahoma	Multitasking
Oregon	Checking emails
Pennsylvania	Checking emails
Rhode Island	Snack
South Carolina	Checking emails
South Dakota	Texting
Tennessee	Checking emails
Texas	Checking emails
Utah	Multitasking
Vermont	Snack
Virginia	Checking emails
Washington	Multitasking
West Virginia	Snack
Wisconsin	Multitasking
Wyoming	Texting

Methodology

Zippia.com, a career resource website, conducted a study with 2,000 remote workers across the U.S. regarding their experiences in virtual meetings.

Each participant was asked a series of questions about their perceptions of meetings and their behaviors during these sessions. North Dakota was excluded due to insufficient sample size.

Conclusion

Be Cautious: That Camera or Microphone May Catch You!

Virtual meetings can easily lead to moments of distraction. While many individuals are simply responding to emails or undertaking work tasks, some have become quite relaxed while working from home. From bathroom breaks to staying in pajamas, people often hope not to be called upon during meetings.

However, they should proceed with caution! They are just one camera or microphone mishap away from an unforgettable and potentially embarrassing moment. Perhaps it’s best to stick to texting, or even better, assess whether the meeting is truly necessary.

For managers and meeting organizers, reducing distractions is achievable by establishing a clear agenda and purpose for each meeting. Ensure meetings start and end on time, and encourage participants to come prepared with functioning technology.

Imagine the time saved from endless “Can you mute yourself?” requests!

Author

Kathy Morris

Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.

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