Videoconferencing calls have become a routine part of life for many people. And while chatting with friends and family is, for the most part, a pleasant task, for some, having to do the same with colleagues or clients can trigger anxiety.
Whether the call is 10 minutes or an hour long, some people find themselves filled with dread as it approaches – and their unease continues to grow once it is underway. They may begin to experience physical symptoms such as sweating, blushing, or restlessness and fidgetiness, or they might mentally draw a blank when put on the spot.
Prateeksha Shetty, clinical psychologist at RAK Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, explains what may be fuelling these feelings of discomfort.
“The fundamental idea beneath any anxiety response is that ‘I cannot deal with this’ or ‘this is too hard’,” she says. “Some people are more anxious than others, whereas others may have become increasingly anxious, owing to difficult jobs, unpredictable life events or trauma in their past.
“Fear of evaluation, or being put on the spot, can trigger anxiety in some individuals, whereas others may evaluate themselves to be incapable of meeting the demands of the event.”
Another reason for an increase in anxiety could be that these online interactions, coupled with the unfamiliar demands of working from home, can make people struggle to maintain a proper work-life balance. Some may feel as though they can't switch off, which further increases stress levels. Not being around co-workers can also have a negative effect.
"Some people may believe that they cannot 'escape' or avoid tasks, or take time to be better prepared; this is enhanced when working from home, as you do not have the comfort of colleagues and work friends who can otherwise help regulate such struggles," she adds.
Here's how to work on it
As video calls are likely to be regular fixture for some time to come, Shetty offers tips for those who struggle while on camera.
"Regardless of symptoms of anxiety, one can practise grounding or mindfulness exercises, where one tunes in to immediate surroundings by focusing on sensory stimuli to bring awareness," she says. "Grounding exercises serve as a reminder to be aware of distress, while not giving in to panic or negative emotions."
The fundamental idea beneath any anxiety response is that 'I cannot deal with this' or 'this is too hard'
These exercises serve as a coping strategy to help people focus on the immediate present, rather than worrying about something they can't control, such as focusing on something said in the past or worrying about saying the wrong thing in the future.
She adds: “One effective way to achieve this is by practising mindfulness meditation every day, for 20 to 40 minutes. Such practises enable one to develop a pause and gain awareness, without giving in to panic or anxiety. This usually helps someone with anxiety to regain control and enables them to deal with difficult feelings and situations in a healthier manner.”
Finally, Shetty also suggests preparing mentally for the task at hand, prior to taking that video call. For example, this could mean anything from making sure you are happy with your physical appearance to practicing what you will say or ask in the meeting. A lack of preparation will invariably lead to a more stressful interaction.
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- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
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How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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