I’m sure it doesn’t come as news to you that lockdown is really, really boring. As someone who has been in isolation for a week thanks to a visit from the corona fairy and has another week ahead of me, it’s very wearing. I feel like a character in an RPG video game, with the world beyond my back gate unavailable until I’ve unlocked an achievement – that achievement being to stay home for two weeks with no change of scenery, seeing nobody but the other members of my small household, without losing my mind.
Thankfully, in the year 2020 there are tools that allow us to hold onto some aspects of our normal lives until the restrictions on movements and socialisation are lifted in six months’ time. Videoconferencing has become a cornerstone not only of my life, but of so many others’ – I host regular virtual playdates, which largely mirror the real thing in consisting of broken conversations among the parents as we try to prevent our children from doing something dangerous. Virtual versions of refusing to get in the buggy and participate add extra authenticity.
Keeping up with family is also important, especially with those who are older or vulnerable and perhaps enduring a 12-week period of isolation (which puts my moaning about 14 days to shame). Once again, videoconferencing has, for many, come to the rescue.
There are many platforms to choose from as well. Houseparty, which as a business tech journalist I’ll admit I’d never heard of until this week, has proved very popular and I also regularly see people recommending office stalwarts like Zoom in a quasi-reversal of the consumerisation of IT.
Even our politics is increasingly being done remotely, as our Prime Minister, Health Secretary, Chief Medical Officer and more all find themselves in isolation having tested positive for COVID-19. The PM is apparently chairing COBRA meetings via video link, and continues to participate in some of the nightly broadcasts we rather quaintly tune into each night.
With the global pandemic we’ve been warned of for so long finally here, from a technology standpoint it couldn’t have arrived at a better time. A vast array of tools are at our disposal to allow business to carry on somewhat as normal, despite us all being under direction to “stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives”, as well as maintaining social connections with colleagues, friends and family.
So let’s hear it for videoconferencing, although always be sure to check your security settings before you get stuck in.
-
The IT industry’s shift to circular, low-carbon solutionsMaximize your hardware investment and reach your sustainability goals with HP’s Renew Solutions
-
Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition reviewReviews This thin and light ultraportable will draw you in with its vibrant screen – but it isn't as powerful as some of its competitors
-
IT professionals aren’t budging on flexible work demands – and more than half say they’ll quit if employers don’t meet expectationsNews Analysis from Randstad shows 40% of UK-based IT pros have quit over a lack of flexible work options, while 31% of workers globally have done the same.
-
'The tide seems to be turning towards office attendance': 64% of hybrid business leaders want staff back in the office – but many worry that enforcing RTO mandates will drive employees awayAnalysis Many UK business leaders want their staff back in the office more frequently, but they’re scared to implement return to office (RTO) mandates in fear of worker revolts.
-
Employees are dead set on flexible working arrangements – three quarters would turn down a role that didn't offer hybrid options as work-life balance becomes more important than payNews New research shows workers are increasingly demanding flexible working arrangements from employers.
-
Nearly half of tech workers are seeking new roles – declining employee benefits and reduced flexible working options have staff looking elsewhereNews While salaries are rising for tech workers, other benefits are in decline, leading to a fall in job satisfaction
-
Untethered: How CIOs and CISOs are paving the way for the new hybrid workforceWhitepaper Effective techniques to transition from exposed legacy infrastructure to an effective zero trust strategy
-
Unified endpoint management and security in a work-from-anywhere worldWhitepaper Learn how to converge endpoint management and security processes and systems to drive efficiency and reduce risk
-
Why flexible working is critical to ensure talent retentionAdvertorial The changing face of flexible working will be the focal point of a webinar hosted by the Achievers Workforce Institute on July 12
-
Hybrid work means we’re burning out harder and faster than everIn-depth Technology has fueled an always-on culture that’s turbocharged a new breed of burnout, but technology can also come to the rescue
