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We're a hybrid company and were before covid so Cameras on was a company expectation before the pandemic. it's actually written in our employee Handbook that cameras need to be on For trust building, transparency and collaboration.
“Trust building” 😂 😂 😂
Obnoxious and demand, not our culture. We trust everyone's choice to be on or off. Personally, I like the connection given the state of being confined in our home offices. I'm not offended, perhaps suggest a no video day or two of the week. signed #nameinlights
I think it’s obnoxious when almost everyone is on camera and there are one or two holdouts. We’re professionals and people can’t even make the effort to turn on their cameras? As if connection, body language, nonverbal cues, etc. aren’t important to communication.
We have a best practice of cameras on for the top of the call to kick off, say hello, etc, then cameras off if you choose. But everyone understands those days when someone says “I’m not camera ready today“ and it’s not a big deal. There are certain meetings when it should be mandatory for all and feels rude if one person holds out. But it’s situational and there shouldn’t be one protocol for this. Being on camera ALL the time is just not necessary and it can be exhausting. Similarly, being constantly invisible can make it more difficult to communicate. Like everything, balance and common sense apply.
Why would anyone reasonably object to putting your camera on? If you were in a face to face meeting, you wouldn't hide your face in a paper bag or hide in the cupboard. Just be polite and put the cameras on.
Why? You don't need to see my face
My director does this and it’s some sick power play that’s so cringe to watch. I hate it
Jesse, I understand “strongly encouraged” but cannot imagine a scenario in which a power play doesn’t come off as a crappy episode of The Office 😢
I LOATHE. I've only encountered it with men though which makes total sense because they don't have the same expectation to look put together with hair and makeup in order to be taken seriously doing their job, so they don't see cameras on as being an inconvenience
Pro
Journe common. You knew what you were getting yourself into going into hr 😂
Who does that. I don’t go on camera usually.
I read it as OP intended and I in part agree. I’ve actually come to realize that it’s the one thing that makes me want to go back to the office. While usually I’m stuffing my face, and I’m always in comfortable clothes, sometimes I am multitasking. I don’t really want to it just seems to be the best use of my time.
we made this so nobody will ever force you to turn your camera on again
http://cameraoffsetproject.com
Pro
Love this!
Video calls are replacements for in person meetings. Unless you are sick - turn on your camera. It’s important. No one cares if you have a messy bun today.
No, its not important. What makes you think it is?
Yes
Courts make you turn your camera on. I had a rather minor remote trial I had to be on a few weeks go and the judge demanded all involved turn the camera on. I don’t really mind though and usually have my camera on anyway.
Well, if you work with enough "judge"-mental people, you also have to turn your camera on
Depends on the topic meeting. Seeing people's faces helps a lot, sometimes. If I'm presenting something that's very technical, it helps to see if people look confused, nodding in agreement, etc.
I'm the opposite. If you're explaining something technical I'm looking at what you're presenting to fully digest the material. Not you as the presenter. That never made any sense to me but I guess I'm different.
What I will note is that the people who have had the most questions to me AFTER my presentation have tended to be too focused on my body language and facial expression and interpretation of the content through me as opposed to LISTENING to the words coming out if my mouth and Visualization of the concept!!!
I am am abstract thinker and cannot focus on esoteric concepts if I am having to maintain eye contact with the presenter. I would venture to say this is the case for a lot of others depending on the complexity of the subject.
I suppose most people are just completely unaware of this dynamic and wonder why they cannot digest complex concepts sufficiently. They are too focused on the presenters identity and subjective expressions, and not on the content itself.
Depends. I think if it’s a relatively small meeting, having your camera off just cause you don’t feel like it is a bit annoying. If you’ve got wifi issues or are traveling or whatever that’s it’s own deal. But when theres 4 people on a call and I can’t see 2 it feels like talking into the void.
But if it’s a large meeting or there’s a presentation being shared then yeah camera off or on I don’t care.
1. How is this overheard at work?
2. I don’t owe you any explanation as to why my camera is off, and any manager with this kind of attitude is going to have a hard time retaining employees.
Why do you want to see your coworkers so badly? What’s your insecurity?
My employer was WFH for all employees before COVID. The company culture is that you turn on the camera for all meetings. If you don’t, then you post a comment like “eating lunch” or “bad hair today” or “internet issue”. If you don’t turn on the camera someone will ask if you are doing ok.
I think there are obnoxious ways to ask for everyone to mute their audio… or turn on their camera. But I don’t see the request itself as a bad thing.
I hold it against anyone who asks for cameras on. The ego… the ego! I also put them on my, “people to get revenge upon” list.
Yes. I blame internet
I mean I blame poor internet connection if I don't want to turn it on
Re:RGA To be clear, most meetings I do use camera, especially small team meetings, but my complaint was about people who try (and I mean try) to demand everyone have them on. This usually occurs in larger meetings. For example, 5 reports of mine joined a brainstorming session and had their cameras on along with 9-10 others. I only joined to listen in so they wouldn’t have to summarize the whole thing for me after. I had no intention of deeply participating because I trusted them and wanted them to take the lead. My role on the RACI was Informed - I don’t need a camera for that.
Sorry but my typical rule of thumb is, if it would be a face to face meeting in the office, the expectation should be cameras are on. That said I take the cue from the meeting leader and go from there. I think the organizer should make it clear, even in the invite, if it’s an on camera or just a phone call so people can prepare, but it’s definitely obnoxious when those expectations are set and yet still people don’t want to join. Worse is when they sit on mute and hidden the entire meeting, at which point I would ask them if they actually need to be there or can reprioritize their time. Bottom line is, yes people have adjusted and have to work from home, multi-task, etc but that does not absolve anyone from being professionals (after all, for all the complaining on here, we are all getting paid right?) I think you can suck it up and go on camera a couple times a day. Who knows it may even force you to *gasp* shower and get dressed during the week!
Unless you are speaking or actively in the conversation I think it’s fine to not have your camera on. There are a lot of people who don’t have ideal WFH situations or environmental distractions that they may want to keep private. Also, women may feel pressure to always be “put together” while they are dealing with a handful of other things at the same time work is going on.
If the client is on the call the camera should be on, otherwise I don’t care.