'Video calls are demoralising': Citigroup launches 'Zoom-Free Friday'

26 March 2021, 12:02

'Video calls are demoralising', says company chief

By Fiona Jones

'Zoom-Free Fridays' are becoming the new normal in bank Citigroup, in an attempt to save employees from the "relentlessness" of online meetings while working remotely.

Jane Fraser, Citi’s new chief executive, said that after speaking to colleagues worldwide, many were suffering from 'Zoom fatigue.'

She told staff, "The blurring of lines between home and work and the relentlessness of the pandemic workday have taken a toll on our wellbeing...It's simply not sustainable.”

Reed Recruitment Group chair James Reed told LBC he recognised this fatigue himself: "You can be booked in for seven or eight hours of video calls and that can be exhausting and pretty demoralising. By the end of the day, you're shattered."

Nick Ferrari on SSO speaking to kid over stolen biscuit

Before the pandemic, Mr Reed said he had never used Zoom before and always conducted his business in person.

Mr Reed said, "We've all become talking heads... and I'm really looking forward to seeing people again in person. As soon as it's possible to go back safely to work and we're allowed to, I will be doing that.

"I know that many many people, especially young people, are looking forward to that greatly because there's a sense of isolation even though you are seeing each other over these calls."

He pointed out that video meetings can sometimes be "much more efficient" if you have a clear agenda and know exactly what you want to go through.

"For other types of conversation it is very stilted."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
The mural on the wall of the Golden Chippy

A Greenwich fish and chip shop that's causing a stink over painting, as owner tells LBC he's 'determined to keep mural up'

Rishi Sunak’s job is under threat from a plot of backbench Tory MPs who want to replace him with Penny Mordaunt before the general election.

Tories 'need to stop messing around and get behind the Prime Minister,' Business Secretary tells LBC

Exclusive
'This is trivia': Kemi Badenoch hits out at continued furore over Tory donor 'racism' row

'This is trivia': Kemi Badenoch hits out at continued furore over Tory donor 'racism' row

Government suspends tariffs on key imports to boost SMEs launching £660 million northern powerhouse fund

Government suspends tariffs on key imports to boost SMEs launching £660 million northern powerhouse fund

'Floating voters' unconvinced by Jeremy Hunt's Budget

LBC's 'Floating Voters' left unconvinced by Jeremy Hunt's Budget

Leila Khaled, who hijacked planes, will appear via video link at a fundraiser hosted by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Andy Street wants police to look at the event

'I'm not comfortable with it': West Mids Mayor to speak to police amid fury over Palestinian hijacker’s fundraiser

Andy Street taking calls from the public on Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Tory MP's claim that Birmingham has 'no-go areas' was 'ridiculous', West Midlands Mayor tells LBC

Minister quizzed on tweet where he described Trump as 'cancer'

Minister Bim Afolami says tweet in which he referred to Donald Trump as 'a cancer' is appropriate

Lee Anderson

Police 'looking into hate speech complaint against Lee Anderson' after MP said Sadiq Khan was controlled by Islamists

Richard Tice said he turned down two Tories who tried to join the party

Reform UK leader Richard Tice says he rejected two Tory MPs who tried to defect in the last year

Michael Tomlinson repeatedly refused to answer Nick Ferrari's question

Nick Ferrari cuts off minister who refuses to answer his questions nine times over Lee Anderson's 'Islamophobic remarks'

Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt for sacking Lee Anderson

Lee Anderson refuses to apologise for 'Islamist' comments as he doubles down on criticism of Sadiq Khan

Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt for sacking Lee Anderson

PM denies Tories have 'Islamophobic tendencies' as minister says Lee Anderson's comments were 'profoundly wrong'

Dame Esther Rantzen has told LBC why she is campaigning to change the law on assisted dying

‘Dogs get treated better than humans’, Esther Rantzen says, as TV legend demands assisted dying law change

Rishi Sunak (l) puts on a brave face to the Tories by-election defeats on a visit to Harlow. New Kingswood MP Damien Egan (top r) and Wellingborough MP Gem Kitchen (bottom r)

Rishi Sunak begs frustrated Tories 'not to put Starmer in power' after party suffers double by-election disaster

New Labour MPs Damien Egan and Gen Kitchen

'They are not very good results': Tory chairman admits after double by-election drubbings as MPs call for tax cuts