How many times have you sat in a virtual meeting mashing the "volume up" button because you couldn't hear the in-office person speaking or refreshing your window because everyone's screen froze? For remote workers, these are all-too-common experiences that often leave them feeling tired, unproductive, and demoralized — all of which can contribute to disengagement and, potentially, attrition. 

Importance of Meeting Equity in Hybrid & Remote Work

As companies increasingly incorporate hybrid work models that include on-site and remote employees, it's more important than ever for them to invest in providing an equitable experience for their employees regardless of work location.

Both remote and in-person employees need to be able to communicate, contribute, and share their ideas in meetings. However, during hybrid meetings, remote employees are more likely than in-person employees to experience audio-visual issues that can slow or stop the flow of information from or to them. Besides hindering their jobs, these technical difficulties can make it even more challenging for remote employees to form and maintain relationships with coworkers, which can lead to them feeling disconnected from their companies.

This is why companies must rise to the challenge by investing in solutions that accommodate the needs of a hybrid workforce and support communication and collaboration between all employees. 

How Technology Promotes Meeting Equity for a Remote & Hybrid Workforce

While creating meeting equity for a hybrid workforce can be challenging, investing in the right collaboration technology can help to ensure that valuable input from all of your employees doesn't go unnoticed. It can also lead to smoother, shorter meetings with more fruitful discussions.

Your solution may include audio and visual equipment, such as: 

• a wireless microphone with push-to-talk and always-on modes to support smooth communication between in-person and remote meeting participants.
• a wireless transmitter base that relays sound from the speaker for seamless presentations.
• a networked charging station that ensures wireless devices are fully charged and ready to go when you need them.
• a PTZ camera that is Zoom-certified and ensures the speaker is always in focus, wherever they are in the room.
• visual software that allows the camera to track speakers based on voice.

By using these technologies to enhance hybrid meetings with clear sound and imagery, you help ensure your remote employees have an equitable and productive meeting experience.

Check out the infographic below to explore why companies need to end hybrid meeting equity and how technology like Panasonic Connect's AV solutions for the workplace can help you create better digital meeting experiences for your hybrid workforce.