Fractured aspects of the digital work environment have recently been identified, including loss of productivity due to frequent task switching, wasted time in remote meetings, and remote work fatigue.  Switching apps tanks productivity; each interruption takes 23 minutes to regain focus.  Almost half of remote workers feel that their meetings frequently waste their time.  In 2022, 23% of American remote workers say their Zoom fatigue is higher than it’s ever been.  Part of remote fatigue can be attributed to a lack of perceived personal space and loss of nonverbal communication cues.  Faces seem larger on video, which makes them feel too close, and screens exaggerate eye contact, making remote workers feel like the focus of everyone’s attention.  Additionally, trying to decipher tone and other cues is difficult, adding to their stress and increasing misunderstandings. 

Although companies have started to regain some semblance of normalcy following the COVID-19 pandemic, 78% of remote employees want to continue working remotely for the rest of their careers.  Building the future of remote work and events requires addressing the problems that have emerged in the digital workplace.  Digital offices are intended to increase productivity and a sense of community while connecting remote workers to their colleagues.  These digital buildings offer a central location to make, manage, and host online events.