Conference Call Etiquette: Are You An Offender?

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By OfficeTeam, Special for  USDR

 

When joining conference calls, employees should be careful about “phoning it in” if they want to avoid irritating colleagues, new OfficeTeam research suggests. More than one-third (37 percent) of workers surveyed said multiple people talking at the same time is the most distracting behavior on conference calls, followed by excessive background noise (24  percent).

 

What's the most annoying behavior on conference calls? According to an OfficeTeam survey of workers, multiple people talking at the same time is the most irritating (37 percent) followed by excessive background noise (24 percent). (PRNewsFoto/OfficeTeam)
What’s the most annoying behavior on conference calls? According to an OfficeTeam survey of workers, multiple people talking at the same time is the most irritating (37 percent) followed by excessive background noise (24 percent). (PRNewsFoto/OfficeTeam)

View an infographic featuring the conference call etiquette research  results.

Workers were asked, “Which one of the following, if any, is the most distracting or annoying thing when it comes to conference calls?” Their  responses:

Multiple people talking at the same time

37%

Excessive background noise

24%

Attendees not paying attention

9%

Attendees putting the call on hold (and prompting hold music)

7%

Attendees thinking they’re talking when they’re on mute

7%

Other

1%

None of these

2%

Don’t participate in conference calls

12%

   99%*

*Responses do not total 100 percent due to  rounding.

“It’s tempting to let your guard down on conference calls because participants can’t see you, but basic meeting rules still apply,” saidRobert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. “To get the most out of these discussions, join on time, offer your undivided attention and be respectful of othe r attendees.”

OfficeTeam identifies five types of conference call etiquette offenders and provides tips to help workers avoid these  labels:

  1. The Late Arriver disrupts the flow when he or she joins after the call has already kicked off. Have the dial-in details ready a few minutes prior to the start time so you won’t be scrambling at the last moment. If you anticipate being tardy, let the host  know.
  2. The Noisemaker causes a commotion with loud typing, a barking dog or other sounds that can be heard in the background. Find a quiet location for calls and mute the line when you’re not speaking. Just remember to unmute yourself when you have something to  say.
  3. The Multitasker is too busy eating, checking email or reading a report to pay attention to the discussion at hand. Put your other work away and eliminate potential distractions so you can actively participate in the  conversation.   
  4. The Tech Transgressor is prone to technology faux pas, whether it’s misusing phone access codes or a headset, or accidentally prompting music by putting the line on hold. Familiarize yourself with conference call systems and equipment before  dialing.
  5. The Scene-Stealer is known to interrupt or monopolize discussions. Contribute your thoughts, but don’t forget to share the floor. Since there may be audio delays on the phone, wait a beat before speaking to avoid talking over  someone.

About the  Research

The survey of office workers was developed by OfficeTeam and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from more than 1,000 U.S. workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office  environments.

About  OfficeTeam

OfficeTeam, a Robert Half company, is the nation’s leading staffing service specializing in the temporary placement of highly skilled office and administrative support professionals. The company has more than 300 locations worldwide. More information, including online job search services and the OfficeTeam Take Note blog, can be found at  officeteam.com.

 

SOURCE  OfficeTeam

 

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