People say they are more distracted by online meetings than those carried outin-person

A new poll conducted by the London conference and events venue, The QEII Centre, claims that the economic value of distraction during meetings has risen to an estimated £20.7 billion per year, partly as a result of the shift to online meetings. Based on a survey of over 1,000 UK desk-based workers, the research set out in the new report builds on findings from The QEII Centre’s inaugural 2023 Distracted Economy report. It claims that the cost of distraction in online and face-to-face meetings and events has increased from £19.9 billion in 2023 to £20.7 billion. In The QEII Centre’s latest Distracted Economy report, 80 percent of desk-based workers admit to losing concentration during meetings. Just over half (55 percent) say they are more likely to be distracted in online meetings compared to 16 percent for in-person meetings and 27 percent who find both equally distracting.

The report also suggests that senior managers are not immune, with nearly one in five (17 percent) of senior managers and business owners losing focus for half or more of in-person meetings compared to 10 percent of mid or junior managers. Against these challenges, the report offers tangible solutions to help event planners and venues tackle the issue.

Key findings of the report include:

• 8 in 10 desk-based workers lose concentration in meetings for some of the time
• 24 percent is the average proportion of time people are distracted during in-person meetings
• 17 percent of senior managers and owners lose focus or concentration for half or more of in-person meetings compared to 10% of mid or junior managers
• 55 percent of people are more likely to be distracted in an online meeting, vs 16% in an in-person meeting and 27% who find both equally distracting
• The top three causes of distraction are boredom (25%), tiredness (24%), and having a busy mind (23%)
• 56 percent of respondents expect to attend more in-person events in 2025 than they did in 2019

To download a copy of the Distracted Economy report, please click here.