What Is Meeting Parity, and Why Is It Important?

Hybrid work is now the most common work model, with 58% of employees embracing this option, according to a 2024 study. But many organizations are still trying to optimize their hybrid environments. In fact, three-quarters of organizations haven’t established norms for hybrid teams or meetings, trained their managers to supervise distributed teams, or adopted best practices for remote and hybrid work.

One key concept that organizations should keep in mind as they refine their hybrid work strategies is meeting parity, or ensuring that everyone in a meeting can collaborate regardless of where they’re working that day. It means that all hybrid workers — whether in an office, at home or in another remote location — have a positive meeting experience.

This concept promotes inclusivity, collaboration and productivity. Organizations want to make sure that people working from home don’t feel left out of discussions. By establishing meeting parity, everyone can be seen and heard and have an equal opportunity to contribute.

Distractions are a productivity killer, so organizations should do what they can to ensure their meetings don’t enable them. By following some important best practices, organizations can promote parity, reduce distractions and optimize the results of their meetings.

First, IT teams should give users the training they need to make the most of their meeting tools. Different platforms have different features, and users will have a better meeting experience when they know how to take advantage of these capabilities.

Another important practice is to make sure users turn on their cameras. One adage suggests that as much as 90% of the communication in a conversation is nonverbal. Facial expressions, body language and other nonverbal cues are an essential part of communication, but these are lost if people can’t see who they’re talking to.

Organizations that value meeting parity should establish clear best practices for before, during and after meetings and be sure that users understand and follow them.

Numerous vendors offer meeting solutions. Organizations that value meeting parity should select tools that ensure a positive meeting experience for all users, regardless of their location.

The first consideration should be interoperability. Tools that integrate seamlessly across multiple meeting platforms — such as Cisco Webex, Microsoft Teams and Zoom — are essential. Users hate having to figure out why their meeting solutions aren’t working as expected; it hampers productivity and results in a subpar meeting experience. Providing users with devices such as cameras, microphones and headsets that are configured, tested and certified to work with major meeting platforms helps to deliver an exceptional experience.

Many meeting tools also integrate smart technology that helps improve the visual and auditory quality of meetings. Artificial intelligence built into cameras ensures that all meeting participants can see who is speaking, while AI in microphones can make sure that speakers are heard above other sounds, such as ambient noise. All of this helps enhance communication and collaboration among users and promotes meeting parity.