Working from home? Remote captions can help

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, everyone started working from home, and now we’re through on the other side… everyone’s still working from home. Turns out it’s easier, more productive, and less expensive. If your employees are still to return to the office, remote captions will probably help them be more productive. Here’s how.

Understanding remote captions

Remote captions involve the real-time transcription of spoken words displayed at the bottom of a screen. Traditionally, a stenographer in the same physical space types out the transcription at remarkable speeds, but with remote captions, this stenographer can be located anywhere globally. All that is required is a reliable internet connection and a microphone for the speaker. The stenographer listens to the spoken words and rapidly transcribes them for all participants to read.

Not only are remote captions cost-effective compared to on-site captioning, but they also offer the flexibility of being booked on short notice.

Addressing lockdown challenges with remote captions

The first lockdown revealed the unique challenges of working from home, especially in terms of remote communication. Virtual meetings and conferences can be particularly challenging, and this difficulty increases with the number of participants.

Remote captioning proves to be a valuable solution, facilitating understanding and full participation in meetings, training sessions, and seminars. Over 100 empirical studies attest to the fact that captioning improves comprehension, attention, and memory retention.

Consider the scenario where a remote worker faces technical issues with their speaker or microphone during a meeting. In such a situation, remote captions offer a dual solution. Firstly, individuals can read the transcriptions in real-time, ensuring they grasp the ongoing conversation. Secondly, even if an internet connection failure occurs, a transcript of the entire meeting is available for later reference.

For employees, live captioning fosters a sense of inclusion, aids in better comprehension and retention of information, and serves as a safety net in case of technological glitches.

Equality Act and remote work

The Equality Act of 2010, encompassing nine previous anti-discrimination laws, prohibits discrimination in the workplace. This extends to all aspects of the workplace, including working from home.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing employees must not face discrimination, emphasising the need for inclusion in virtual meetings. Remote captions not only offer benefits to all team members but, in certain cases, become a legal necessity.

Choose the experts when it comes to remote captions

Live captioning isn’t just advantageous; it can significantly boost a business’s brand, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and client accommodation. Remote captions benefit everyone, including those for whom English is a second language. Challenges like noisy environments, unreliable technology, or diverse accents can be mitigated through the use of remote captions.

When it comes to remote captions, seeking the expertise of professionals is essential. A company’s dedication to providing remote captions for potential clients is a testament to its commitment to customer care. With a global network of over 300 captioners, we offer reliable stenographers at short notice and cater to diverse language needs.

If you believe your business can benefit from the advantages of remote captioning, feel free to reach out to us today. Our friendly and professional staff will be delighted to address any inquiries you may have.