# Meetings in the metaverse – how likely is this the future of work?
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2022-07-28
Category: BUSINESS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/business
Meta Title: Exploring the Exciting Metaverse: Opportunities for
Meta Description: Discover how businesses can potentially unlock value in the metaverse while navigating concerns around employee wellbeing and safety. Learn more here.
URL: https://financedigest.com/meetings-in-the-metaverse-how-likely-is-this-the-future-of-workhtml

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_By_ **_Phill Brown,_** _Global Head of Market Intelligence at_ [**_Resource Solutions_**](https://www.resourcesolutions.com/) _, the global provider of workforce and advisory solutions_

There’s a lot of excitement around the metaverse right now, with a growing number of businesses and brands entering this space, and considerable investments being made (Meta, parent company of Facebook, planned to invest $10bn in Metaverse components last year) . You are probably more familiar with examples of what the metaverse could be as there are a number of examples already around, Fortnite, Facebook Horizon, some may also remember Second Life from almost 20 years ago. All are examples of a persistent, shared universe, within which you can interact with others in a multitude of ways. More examples, away from gaming, and into the [corporate world](https://www.financedigest.com/post-crash-banking-regulation-is-transforming-the-world-of-corporate-lending-for-the-better.html "Post-crash banking regulation is transforming the world of corporate lending – for the better") are either under trial or development.

It remains to be seen though, when and where exactly the hype will be matched by utility in reality and more pertinently how much of the buzz [around the metaverse may translate into concrete value](https://www.financedigest.com/industrial-flooring-market-is-anticipated-to-expand-at-a-cagr-of-over-4-during-the-forecast-period-of-2020-2030-to-be-valued-around-us-12-4-bn-by-2030.html "Industrial Flooring Market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of over 4% during the forecast period of 2020-2030, to be valued around US$ 12.4 Bn by 2030") for companies. In this [early adopter stage](https://www.financedigest.com/valuing-your-early-stage-startup.html "Valuing your Early Stage Startup"), businesses, especially those that aren’t in the tech space, are likely to have some reservations about the virtual reality platform – and will opt to watch industry-leaders and trailblazers pave the way and learn from any pitfalls they encounter.

The current challenge is to make all existing iterations of the metaverse, and more, interoperable with each other, at which point the metaverse will truly come into existence. Here are some of the considerations that have already become clear, as well as the opportunities that the metaverse could unlock for [businesses and their employees](https://www.financedigest.com/why-investing-in-employee-health-can-be-good-for-business.html "Why investing in employee health can be good for business").

**Concerns over** [employee wellbeing](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-manage-burnout-and-how-leaders-should-support-employee-wellbeing-tom-keya.html "How to manage burnout and how leaders should support employee wellbeing | Tom Keya")

A [recent experiment from the New Scientist](https://www.businessinsider.com/workers-spent-week-metaverse-experiment-felt-more-anxious-nausea-frustration-2022-6?nr_email_referer=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Business_Insider_select&pt=385758&ct=Sailthru_BI_Newsletters&mt=8&utm_campaign=Business%20Insider%20-%20Algorithm%20Test%202022-06-22&utm_term=INSIDER%20SELECT%20-%20ENGAGED%2C%20ACTIVE%2C%20PASSIVE%2C%20DISENGAGED%2C%20NEW&r=US&IR=T) had 18 volunteers spend a week working in the metaverse, using VR headsets – two dropped out within a few hours while the rest reported feelings of frustrations by the end. Evidently, [virtual worlds](https://www.financedigest.com/metas-new-quest-pro-headset-mixing-real-and-virtual-worlds-makes-debut.html "Meta’s new Quest Pro headset, mixing real and virtual worlds, makes debut") may not yet be suitable for extended periods of time or everyday use, or it may be that we have some way to go before people can feel accustomed to plugging into another world without experiencing feelings of nausea or anxiety. At this stage in time, then, the metaverse is more likely to serve as a platform to host and enhance one-time events, conferences, or training sessions – rather than a replacement for emails, Teams calls and in-person brainstorms and [collaborative work](https://www.financedigest.com/how-collaboration-technologies-are-helping-organisations-to-embrace-a-hybrid-working-model.html "How collaboration technologies are helping organisations to embrace a hybrid working model").

**Safety and security in the metaverse**

Employers need to be aware that, at the moment, early versions may be poorly regulated. When using the metaverse, companies should be aware of the safety of both their employees and clients, and how secure any business-sensitive information will be.

Whilst the objective may be how to translate all the [positive and productive](https://www.financedigest.com/broadcast-switchers-market-increasing-adoption-of-ip-live-production-technology-to-positively-impact-growth.html "Broadcast Switchers Market: Increasing Adoption of IP Live Production Technology to Positively Impact Growth") elements of the workplace into a virtual environment, how do we ensure that the negative and destructive elements are left at the virtual door?

[Companies will need](https://www.financedigest.com/italys-windfall-tax-on-energy-companies-needs-to-be-rewritten-pm.html "Italy’s windfall tax on energy companies needs to be rewritten – PM") to think about and act upon their responsibilities in this new environment, is it inside or outside the work environment? How far does duty of care extend? There are many operational [policies and contractual clauses to amend and update](https://www.financedigest.com/global-share-sell-off-pauses-in-asia-as-investors-await-fed-policy-update.html "Global share sell off pauses in Asia as investors await Fed policy update")!

**Team bonding through avatars**

Looking ahead, as [remote and hybrid work](https://www.financedigest.com/7-tips-for-building-a-positive-remote-work-culture.html "7 tips for building a positive remote work culture") patterns become the norm, we can envisage how the metaverse might be adopted as an extension of, or alternative to the traditional workplace. Many [businesses are predicted to migrate part or all of their team meetings](https://www.financedigest.com/despite-return-to-work-virtual-meetings-will-continue-to-disrupt-business-as-usual-in-finance.html "Despite Return to Work, Virtual Meetings Will Continue to Disrupt Business as Usual in Finance") into the Metaverse – be it for weekly catchups or happy hour drinks. Two [years into the global pandemic and collective work-from-home experiment](https://www.financedigest.com/2021-the-year-of-buyer-experience.html "2021: The year of buyer experience"), many of us are experiencing Zoom-fatigue. The metaverse offers a new camera-free [platform to interact and socialise with colleagues through personalised avatars and even NFT](https://www.financedigest.com/meta-to-wind-down-nfts-on-platforms-amid-crypto-bust.html "Meta to wind down NFTs on platforms amid crypto bust") suits and ties.

**Onboarding and training enhanced**

In the same way that VR and AR technology are already being deployed for training purposes, the metaverse may further [enhance remote group workshops and the onboarding experience](https://www.financedigest.com/enhancing-the-guest-experience-in-hospitality.html "Enhancing the guest experience in hospitality") for newcomers. At a time of staff shortages and mass resignations, meetings in the virtual [world hold](https://www.financedigest.com/in-a-world-of-automation-what-does-the-future-hold-for-uk-financial-services-workers.html "In a world of automation, what does the future hold for UK financial services workers?") the potential to increase employee engagement and retention. Businesses that can offer this new form of networking are likely to appeal to Millennial and Gen Z candidates and may [attract more talent](https://www.financedigest.com/cobots-in-the-financial-workplace-reducing-costs-attracting-talent-and-enhancing-sustainability.html "Cobots in the financial workplace: Reducing costs, attracting talent and enhancing sustainability") as a result.

Tools like flight simulators and military applications of VR [technology for training have been around for some time](https://www.financedigest.com/modernisation-of-insurance-technology-saves-invaluable-time-and-money.html "Modernisation of insurance technology saves invaluable time and money"). More recently, however, we’ve seen new [applications in more mainstream industries](https://www.financedigest.com/analog-phase-shifter-market-2021-by-global-key-players-types-applications-countries-industry-size-and-forecast-to-2027.html "Analog Phase Shifter Market 2021 by Global Key Players, Types, Applications, Countries, Industry Size and Forecast to 2027"). An early adopter was retail giant, Walmart, who collaborated with California-based software developer, Strivr, to [offer their 1 million employees in-store VR training](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/technology/pages/virtual-reality-revolutionizes-walmart-training.aspx), using role-playing scenarios.

Going further, the applications of VR for training purposes have even started to extend beyond the remit of an employee’s job description. For instance, Vantage Point has developed VR training content to help businesses [tackle racism and sexual harassment](https://thehelm.co/vantage-point-virtual-reality-sexual-harrassment-antiracism-training-morgan-mercer-interview/) and create a safer and more inclusive workplace for their employees. The technology places trainees into [virtual environments that offers an immersive experience](https://www.financedigest.com/the-rise-of-virtual-agents-the-future-banking-experience.html "The rise of virtual agents: the future banking experience") that provides a level of experience that dramatically increases the speed of learning.

**So, what’s next?**

Whether working in the metaverse will ever become in situ of face-to-face, in-person meetings in the office remains to be seen. It’s too soon to tell exactly whether smaller and less-tech orientated businesses will see the [value in investing](https://www.financedigest.com/procurementin-european-private-equity-investment-adding-value-to-the-boardroom.html "Procurement in European private equity investment – adding value to the boardroom.") in avatars and nonfungible tokens for their staff – particularly with little evidence at the moment that this will improve productivity or employee wellbeing.

While [work patterns have forever shifted since the pandemic](https://www.financedigest.com/smart-working-versus-presenteeism-enabling-productivity-in-a-post-pandemic-hybrid-work-culture.html "Smart Working Versus Presenteeism: Enabling Productivity in a Post-Pandemic Hybrid Work Culture"), the return-to-work trend is undeniable, making the need for alternative ways to connect online with colleagues less of a priority. For those companies that have adopted a permanent work-from-anywhere policy, however, hosting [business meetings in one same online](https://www.financedigest.com/6-practical-tips-for-starting-an-online-business.html "6 Practical Tips for Starting an Online Business") space may prove to be a vital way of bringing together colleagues through a shared learning environment.

Equally, as sustainability increasingly [features at the top](https://www.financedigest.com/top-10-retro-phone-features-we-would-like-to-see-in-modern-smartphones.html "Top 10 retro phone features we would like to see in modern smartphones") of every business agenda, the metaverse offers an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective alternative to flying staff across the globe for conferences or business proposals.

In today’s climate though, companies may also [need to consider how well received it would be for staff to know](https://www.financedigest.com/5-key-things-you-need-to-know-before-hiring-your-first-employee.html "5 Key Things You Need to Know Before Hiring Your First Employee") that their employer is investing in a non-essential tech add-on at a time when the cost of living crisis is front of mind for most households in the UK and abroad. I would imagine that those [considering putting their chips](https://www.financedigest.com/u-s-considers-crackdown-on-memory-chip-makers-in-china.html "U.S. considers crackdown on memory chip makers in China") into the metaverse may decide put this idea on hold until the economic reality changes for the better.


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