Called out colleague in team meeting

You can see them pause and glance at the bottom right. And then see their arms move to the keyboard position.

What makes it obvious, though? I’m not saying it’s not true, this just isn’t something I’ve ever come across personally. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen someone’s hands or keyboard in an online meeting, people usually just have the camera angled at their face, maybe from about the shoulders upwards. I don’t think I’d know if they were typing, let alone who they were typing to.

It’s so obvious in online meetings when people are messaging each other.

To be honest I’m a bit puzzled by this. If you only ever really see her in online meetings, how do you know when she’s typing that she’s typing to a friend? Couldn’t she just be typing notes or something?

We seem to be at cross purposes.

Am absolutely advocating for giving advance notice, with a reason, as I have said in my posts.

You still need to tell people in advance that they are being recorded and there should be a valid reason for it given. OP can't secretly record it or just announce she's recording it - for what? why?

Good point. Problem is I bet Sophie is good as gold when being recorded. Although, if that's ultimately what OP wants, for Sophie to be well behaved, then recording each meeting on teams could work. Its common practice to record meetings where I work, especially for people who can't attend. You state "I'm recording this call" and then get on with it.

Ah, OK.

I think recording is common practice. I am often in meetings where people start with 'i am just going to record / trascribe this to help with my notes - assume that's ok?. I have yet to hear anyone object.

I also think the recording would be accepted in a future complaint. This is because I know of one case where a meeting was recorded in this way and what was recorded led to an apology and pay off. No queries were raised about how the call was recorded, in that instance.

Well done! You dealt with it, now put it behind you. There's no need to reply to Sophie.

You cannot record meetings without giving notice to all attendees it is being recorded. Doing it off her own bat would be sackable. And "breezily" announcing she's doing it without her employers asking her to do it won't get her off the hook.

There may be a corporate policy banning you from private recording.

Best to openly record on Teams, with a breezy announcement

Screenshot and date everything

Good on you. I would have a word with her manager. It is bullying and needs to stop.

Well maybe they are not typing or laughing. It's pretty easy to see if someone is doing those things.

Be ready for next time. "I can see Sophie is laughing, I'm not sure what's so funny but I'd appreciate respect and attention when I am speaking". Record the meeting on your phone. Then go to your boss.

No one obsessively looks at people on teams, unless YOU are the issue lol

• Imagine, someone asks you a question and you zoom in on someone else whilst you are answering just to watch to see what face they make as you speak
• Or, someone else is presenting but you're so focused on what x is doing in case you can 'catch her out' and knock her off that perch she seems to be on
• Better yet, you are speaking, whether it be presenting something or just an update. You are SO good that you can focus entirely on x, never needing to refer to notes or glance away whilst navigating screens

It is very clear who is obsessive here and she probably has no idea that OP is fixated on her. I'd be surprised if others didn't notice OP though

You could request a subject access request and find out if any messages were written about you. If you really want to go for the jugular that is.

This 100%

IGNORE !!!!!!!

Am i the only person who has been obsessively looking at people on teams meetings? I certainly cant see who is typing or laughing. Maybe i need a bigger screen.

She only messaged you privately because she knows she’s in the wrong. She’s panicking that you will take it further.

Remember: every time you stay calm and don't allow yourself to be drawn, it's a victory against her. She wants a reaction. Don't give it her! You might feel like you're giving in in the moment, but if you reframe it this way in your head, you'll start to feel differently, and draw strength from playing dumb and being as blank as possible.

OP shouldn't use words like "sniggering" or be drawn on any feelings of being bullied. The second she shows emotion here, she's lost.

She should keep her complaint along the lines of:

"I feel that Sophie isn't paying attention during my presentations. She always seems to be laughing or texting someone while I'm talking. It's getting distracting. Have you noticed this, Manager? Could you have a word with her about professionalism?"

Stick to that like glue and don't be drawn on anything else. Don't let on how upsetting the situation really is. Vent somewhere safe and resist the temptation to have it out at work. If someone is more popular and well-connected than you, you will be made into the problem and it won't end up the way you want.

Are these meetings recorded @Vergus - if so if reviewed due to any allegations by her - they will show repeated instances of her behaviour on work calls.

could you request access to a few copies for something?

Totally agree don't reply. There isn't a question in her message anyway.

She sounds dangerous in that she is has the potential to manufacture trouble or question marks. I would avoid avoid avoid her as much as possible - don't speak to or about her. Go totally vanilla ice cream - keep everything simple and sweet.

I suspect the reality is that others can see her and her behaviour for what it is. And ultimately it marks her out as insecure and immature. So rise way above it.