Meta Horizon VR Workspace Avatars in a Zoom meeting
A YouGov survey looks into whether working professionals prefer VR workspaces over conventional offices. Are we ready to strap on a VR headset to tackle the loneliness that often comes with being a freelancer?
Is it time we said goodbye to isolation?
The initial awkwardness many of us felt conducting our first client video call or interview is a thing of the past. But those initial jitters could be replaced by an out-of-body experience: virtual offices using VR headsets
Freelancers often appreciate the autonomy of their home offices yet occasionally wish they could shake off those feelings of isolation. That’s why as ridiculous as they may look, virtual reality headsets present a compelling proposition for remote workers, freelancers and the clients they work with.
Imagine stepping into a shared virtual workspace, not as a static profile picture taken 10 years ago on a screen, but as a fully realised avatar capable of spontaneous chats by the virtual water cooler or collaborative brainstorming sessions in a simulated meeting room.
This immersive experience could offer a much-needed antidote to the solitary nature of independent work, giving freelancers a sense of connection and camaraderie that traditional remote tools sometimes struggle to replicate.
But are we ready to strap on a headset to banish loneliness often associated with the freelance life?
What does a VR office look like?
This involves remote teams operating within a virtual office as avatars, enabling interaction with colleagues or clients through the use of VR headsets. Those wearing headsets can conduct presentations, client meetings, and group brainstorming sessions as if they were all in the same room.
However, when I picture the world’s workforce labouring away in their home offices with VR headsets, my immediate reaction is to wince and chuckle. I suspect I’m not alone in this sentiment, according to a recent survey. Nevertheless, I won’t dismiss it until I’ve tried it myself.
Do people want to work virtually with VR headsets?
To understand the public’s sentiment on virtual office life, a YouGov Survey poll asked British adults whether they would prefer working remotely in a virtual reality office or continuing with traditional in-person office interactions if VR headsets became a widely accepted alternative.
The findings revealed that half of adults remain hesitant about adopting VR technology for work. Among 1,000 Britons polled, 51% preferred working in a physical office without a headset, while only 19% said they would opt for a VR-based virtual office from home.
The YouGov report said preference for traditional office setups is even stronger among those who currently go to the office either full-time or part-time, with seven in 10 preferring in-person interaction over a VR alternative (69%). In contrast, 14% of this group said they would choose a virtual office with a headset.
The report said:
The data suggests that while VR is growing in popularity for gaming and entertainment, its adoption in professional settings may face resistance. Employees who already experience in-person office environments show even lower interest in VR workspaces, indicating a preference for real-world interactions over digital alternatives.
Stats on how non-VR users might get hooked
In a separate YouGov study, among British adults who have not visited the metaverse in the past 12 months, certain brand categories could encourage them to explore it. Entertainment and media brands hold the greatest appeal, said the report, with 21% of non-users saying their presence in the metaverse would tempt them to join. Travel (17%) and art and culture (17%) brands also have potential to draw in new users.
Education (14%) and health and wellness (13%) brands appeal to some, while 13% say they are unsure what would attract them to the metaverse. Gaming (12%) and technology and electronics (10%) follow closely behind. Real estate, food and beverage, and fashion and apparel each attract 8% of non-users.
Never say never to VR office life
Clients will likely be the first adopters to use VR headsets and virtual workspaces. To join them as freelancers we might not have headsets at first, but once we explore VR experiences in a personal capacity (i.e. travel, films, video games), virtual office life might not seem so strange.
If you’ve used VR headsets for meetings, we’d be very interested to hear about your experiences. What’s it actually like? What are the advantages? What challenges have you encountered? And how did you decide on your avatar?”
