Often these are technical concerns.

Even five years after the coronavirus pandemic brought video conferencing to prominence, it still causes stress for many people. The degree of stress also depends on who is talking to whom, as a survey commissioned by Logitech shows. When asked how stressed they were 15 minutes before an online meeting with external partners such as customers or superiors, around 27 percent of respondents rated it 7 or higher on a scale of 1 to 10. When meeting with colleagues, the figure was just under 21 percent. The respondents were people who primarily work on computers.

However, stress levels also depend heavily on gender. In all three scenarios, female respondents reported high levels of stress significantly more often than their male colleagues. The largest difference, 33 percent to 22 percent, was in conversations with external people such as customers.

Age also leads to significant differences – albeit contrary to the stereotype. According to the survey, middle-aged employees are the most stressed. Young, but also older employees, appear significantly more relaxed on average.

The respondents weren't fundamentally opposed to online meetings: When asked which format they preferred, 30 percent said virtual meetings, 36 percent physical meetings, and 27 percent hybrid meetings. Interestingly, women and middle-aged people were slightly more likely to favor virtual meetings—precisely the groups who are particularly stressed shortly before a meeting.

One reason for stress could be the worry that the technology for the meeting won't work. 29 percent of respondents reported this. 14 percent even said they regularly experience technical problems in meetings, and 12 percent avoid online meetings or cancel them because they fear technical problems. However, around two-thirds of respondents also said they are well equipped for virtual meetings – although there was little difference between the office and home office.

"Good meeting technology has long been a competitive factor," says Serkan Ates of Logitech. "Those who offer employees reliable tools avoid frustration, improve performance, and increase satisfaction." His company commissioned the survey from YouGov, which interviewed around 2,110 people who primarily work on computers in April.