Latest news with #MarketingSignals
Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Home workers kept under watch to stop them skiving
Home workers are being kept under watch almost constantly by some companies through a form of video monitoring partly designed to prevent staff from slacking. The practice, known as 'body doubling', encourages remote workers to remain on all-day video calls with one or more colleagues, essentially carrying out their tasks in the presence of others. While they do not necessarily need to interact, the on-screen presence of others allows employers to have more oversight over staff and ensure they remain at their desks. Originally developed as a support tool for children with ADHD, body doubling is now being promoted by some human resources departments as an aid for adults who work from home. Employers experimenting with the system have reported that it improved the output of home workers. Advocates also claimed it can reduce feelings of isolation among staff. A study by the University of East London, which surveyed 101 users of the virtual co-working platform Flown, found that the majority said the method improved concentration and productivity. Alice Lang, a senior digital PR executive at Marketing Signals, uses body doubling twice a week. 'I love working remotely and appreciate the flexibility it brings, but I do sometimes miss the everyday chat that comes with an office,' she told The Times. 'Body doubling feels like the perfect middle ground for people like me. I still get to work from home, but with some company when I need it. It's also been great for keeping me focused, especially on days when motivation is a bit low.' However, one remote worker at a firm that recently introduced body doubling said it 'can feel quite Big Brother-y' being visible on camera throughout the day. The employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'Sometimes it feels a bit much. I don't really want someone monitoring my every move. It can feel quite Big Brother-y being watched in your own home for hours at a time.' William Arruda, a workplace consultant, said the system has its pitfalls. He said employees could fall into the 'chit-chat trap', adding there was also the potential for 'privacy problems'. Mr Arruda said the model would not suit all employees and should be optional because 'some people thrive in silence and solitude'. He added: 'I do think it could feel a bit uncomfortable if it were something imposed by a company. It's nice having the flexibility to do it, or not, depending on how I'm feeling.' The rise in working from home since the pandemic has repeatedly been blamed for Britain's sluggish productivity growth. Lord Rose, the former chairman of Asda, has claimed the rise in people working from home has set Britain's economy back by 20 years. In January, when asked if the UK could afford to work from home, Lord Rose told BBC One's Panorama programme: 'I don't believe it can. 'This country is in a parlous place, we have regressed in this country in terms of working practices, productivity and in terms of the country's wellbeing, I think, by 20 years in the last four. 'We are creating a whole generation and probably a generation beyond that of people who are used to actually not doing what I call proper work. 'I believe that productivity is less good if you work from home. I believe that your personal development suffers, that you're not going to develop as well as you might if you've been in the workplace as long as I have.'
Forbes
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Body Doubling–The Productivity Hack You Didn't Know You Needed
Photo credit getty It sounds like the plot of Max Headroom, something out of a sci-fi film, or an AI trick from the future: body doubling. A tool that duplicates your presence to help you get twice the work done? Not really. But this workplace strategy, which originally became popular among people with ADHD or other neurodivergent traits, is gaining traction as a productivity booster. ADHD Coach Ryan Mayer touts the benefits of body doubling, 'My clients experience increased focus and productivity, reduced procrastination, enhanced motivation, improved self-esteem, and better results.' In addition to enhancing your performance and helping you get things done, this technique is also a powerful counterbalance to the loneliness and isolation that's increasing in the modern workplace. Virtual and hybrid environments and the vast infusion of technology into work has stripped some of the humanity from it. Productivity expert and Managing Director at Marketing Signals, Gareth Hoyle says 'As the Managing Director of a remote marketing agency, I've tried more productivity hacks than I can count, but body doubling is one I keep coming back to. It boosts focus, cuts down on distractions, reduces feelings of workplace isolation, and adds a surprising layer of human connection.' Here's how body doubling works, and how to make it work for you. At its core, body doubling is when two (or more) people work side by side, either in person or virtually, without necessarily collaborating. It's not about brainstorming or bouncing ideas around. It's about showing up, being present, and doing the work while someone else is doing theirs. It may sound simple, but the effects can be powerful. Just having another person in your virtual or physical space provides an accountability anchor that helps keep you on task. With remote and hybrid work becoming the norm, body doubling has emerged as a solution for two big workplace challenges: productivity loss and professional loneliness. Many people find it hard to stay focused without structure. Body doubling creates that structure. It mimics the rhythm of working alongside a colleague in a coffee shop or coworking space, even when you're miles apart. Research shows that even a little accountability produces measurable results when it comes to reaching your goals. According to an ATD study, you are 95% more likely to succeed by simply directing accountability to a third party. PR Executive Alice Lang, who has been using the technique to boost her productivity, explains, 'I recently got into body doubling—basically working alongside someone else on a video call, and it's honestly been such a helpful shift when I'm struggling with a piece of content or getting ideas together for a client. Simply having someone else present, even silently on screen, creates a sense of accountability that's helped me stay on task.' Body doubling soothes the sting of solitude. Remote work has many upsides, but it can be isolating. Sharing work time with someone else brings a touch of community to the day. Lang added, 'In general, I feel remote work suits me, but some days it can feel a little isolating, and it's good to find that balance. Hopping on a call with others makes a difference. We tend to have a quick catch-up with a coffee, but then simply get on with our tasks, occasionally having a chat to bounce ideas off one another. I've feel more motivated, more productive, and generally just a bit more satisfied with my work overall.' Like any productivity tactic, body doubling is not a one-size-fits-all fix. Here are a few potential pitfalls: These potential obstacles can all be managed with a few smart strategies. Start with a clear conversation. Set boundaries and expectations. Is this a quiet work session or one with scheduled breaks to chat? A little clarity goes a long way. Share the purpose behind it — better focus, stronger team bonds, or simply breaking up the monotony. Give team members a chance to ask questions or share their preferences. Transparency builds trust. Some people thrive in silence and solitude. That's okay. Participation should be optional. Productivity isn't about fitting everyone into the same mold, it's about giving people tools that work for them. Create a dedicated space for these sessions. In-office? Try a low-distraction room. Remote? Set up a recurring Zoom or Slack channel. Think of it like a digital coworking space. This gives structure to the experience and makes it feel intentional, not intrusive. People won't body double if they don't know how. Create a list of willing participants, preferred work hours, and available tools. That way, no one feels awkward asking around or uncertain about who's up for it. Track how it's going. Use feedback tools or informal check-ins. Are people feeling more focused? Less isolated? More motivated? Share the results to refine the format and encourage more participation without pressuring those who prefer to work solo. There are numerous applications for body doubling. Consider these: Everyone logs on, says a quick hello, then goes heads-down with a shared timer. Silence. Focus. Just the low hum of productivity. It's like a library, but in your living room. New hires can feel especially isolated in remote environments. Pair them with a body buddy for their first week. It builds connection and helps them get into a work rhythm. Want to energize your group? Try a weekly or monthly power hour where the team gathers virtually to tackle individual tasks. Start and end with a check-in to celebrate what got done. Body doubling doesn't have to be sitting still. Try scheduling shared movement breaks: a walk-and-talk or a stretch session. Shared energy counts, even if you're not working on a spreadsheet. Body doubling is more than a quirky productivity trick. It's a reminder that even when we're working apart, we're still human. We crave connection, we focus better with structure, and we thrive when we feel seen. Whether you're a people person who misses office chatter or a remote employee looking to shake up your solo routine, this simple strategy might just be your secret weapon. Try it out. See how it feels. You might just double your focus — and your fulfillment. William Arruda is a keynote speaker, co-founder of and co-creator of BrandBoost- a virtual, video-fueled course to help you grow your self-awareness, uncover your personal brand, and amp up your career success.
