Work meeting etiquette

Zanatdy · 27/01/2026 04:23

WhoAreYouTalkingTo · 06/05/2025 20:44

Having lost 24 minutes of my life today to a meeting that could have been a two line email I feel for you. That said, some people have shit Internet or are ashamed of their houses etc so don't turn their cameras on. That is OK, we don't know our own privilege sometimes.

People dragging out meetings drive me mad.

I have an open calendar but often get double or triple booked because people outside the organisation can't see my calendar.

I feel your pain, but recognise that there are some reasons why things happen.

They can blur their background. Lack of cameras on is likely why many employers are wanting staff back in the office more. Some people in my dept kick off massively when asked to put their camera on. I find it bizarre, and hope they all have to come in more. If you’re working, you should be dressed and ready to be on camera. It really winds me up, especially some of the content we discuss, we have no idea if people are in a private place. I think it should be mandatory to have cameras on.

LucyLoo1972 · 27/01/2026 04:12

PauliesWalnuts · 23/07/2025 13:57

Agree. I minute high-level committees with enormous spend approvals and I need to see who is approving what.

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yes - I agree, im hard of hearing too an it really helps a lot

LucyLoo1972 · 27/01/2026 04:10

Someone2025 · 07/05/2025 00:38

Don’t be ridiculous!!
I’m a highly qualified professional ( 7 years to qualify) and if I choose to wear make up I will, if I choose not to I won’t, it isn’t necessary for cameras to be turned on in most meetings anyway.

In my profession 90% of people have their cameras turned off so it makes no difference. When I’m in the office as I’m a senior member of staff I want to and need to look professional and good grooming is part of that.

If you don’t wear make up that’s fine but you really need to understand that a lot of highly qualified intelligent women actually do

Such a silly comment

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I always thought in most professional environments some make-up would be the norm to look well-groomed

Allisnotlost1 · 23/07/2025 14:12

EBearhug · 23/07/2025 12:34

Some of us did. In my previous job, I worked with people all round the world. As long as there was a network connection, it made no odds to me if they were at home in France, in the office in Germany or on a nearby desk in my English office. We used conference calls before the networks could cope with videoconferencing, and even then, some people had bandwidth problems if their home network was slow.

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I did too, but for most people in the public and voluntary sectors (maybe different in private) Teams etc became a reality during the pandemic.

Allisnotlost1 · 23/07/2025 14:10

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 23/07/2025 09:56

Not for our organisation. We're all still in 5 days a week, we just use teams instead of the phone or conference calls

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Your one example doesn’t negate the broader trend though - for most people, Teams is a sub for face to face, not phones.

PauliesWalnuts · 23/07/2025 13:57

Aspanielstolemysanity · 20/07/2025 01:53

I'm partially deaf. It's really important to me that people have their cameras on so I can lip read when needed.
It's not a beauty contest. It's ridiculous people are keeping cameras off our of vanity

Agree. I minute high-level committees with enormous spend approvals and I need to see who is approving what.

TunnocksOrDeath · 23/07/2025 13:52

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 23/07/2025 10:05

I disagree with this. Cameras should be on unless a good reason, or maybe someone else is presenting for a prolonged period with slides, so you can hardly see the other people any way.

Teams meetings aren’t the descendants of conference calls, in most cases they replace in person meetings, or are hybrid with some people in the room and others on Teams. The least people can do is be visible. It’s much harder to converse with someone you can’t see - especially re knowing when someone is finished and not constantly interrupting.

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In our organisation they have replaced conference calls. We're global, and no one ever ran a daily update meeting by flying all the participants to the same location, so it's always been phone-centric. Before Teams we had Skype and before that it was a dial-in and people would email the data/presentations beforehand.
I've just lost the best manager I've worked with in ages. I never met him, as the team is split across three countries and he is not based in the uk, but we spoke every day, and he's very knowledgeable and supportive. He did switch his camera on once, but only to show us the (lack of) view from his desk.
Different organisations have different cultures, and what works for one industry might not work at all for others.

EBearhug · 23/07/2025 12:34

Allisnotlost1 · 23/07/2025 09:37

Eh? No it hasn’t, Teams has replaced (at least partially) face to face working. If everything could have been done on the phone we’d have had large scale hybrid/WFH way before Covid.

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Some of us did. In my previous job, I worked with people all round the world. As long as there was a network connection, it made no odds to me if they were at home in France, in the office in Germany or on a nearby desk in my English office. We used conference calls before the networks could cope with videoconferencing, and even then, some people had bandwidth problems if their home network was slow.

Venalopolos · 23/07/2025 10:08

Someone2025 · 07/05/2025 00:38

Don’t be ridiculous!!
I’m a highly qualified professional ( 7 years to qualify) and if I choose to wear make up I will, if I choose not to I won’t, it isn’t necessary for cameras to be turned on in most meetings anyway.

In my profession 90% of people have their cameras turned off so it makes no difference. When I’m in the office as I’m a senior member of staff I want to and need to look professional and good grooming is part of that.

If you don’t wear make up that’s fine but you really need to understand that a lot of highly qualified intelligent women actually do

Such a silly comment

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I don’t think this was a judgement on those who wear make up. It was a judgement on those who say they need to wear make up, then don’t bother and instead prefer to be rude to their colleagues.

I don’t care what you look like, but I do care about seeing your face when we’re having a meeting.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 23/07/2025 10:05

LoveSkaMusic · 22/07/2025 22:32

Cameras on or off, I don't care.

There is no etiquette for cameras in meetings, and if there was it would be for cameras to be off unless strictly necessary. After all, online meetings were the direct descendent of conference calls, which of course, are audio only.

I disagree with this. Cameras should be on unless a good reason, or maybe someone else is presenting for a prolonged period with slides, so you can hardly see the other people any way.

Teams meetings aren’t the descendants of conference calls, in most cases they replace in person meetings, or are hybrid with some people in the room and others on Teams. The least people can do is be visible. It’s much harder to converse with someone you can’t see - especially re knowing when someone is finished and not constantly interrupting.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 23/07/2025 10:01

Hedonism · 06/05/2025 20:58

I have an open calendar. My boss always books meetings that clash. Maybe it's a power move to say that they are too busy and important to check whether the meeting time works.

My pet hate is people who don’t use the calendar properly. Either putting in meetings that clash, or declining a meeting (which wasn’t a clash but clearly they had some in their own head they hadn’t put in the calendar, or just didn’t fancy that time) and then emailing me separately about a different time. Just use fhe “suggest a new time” function and look for yourself if it works!

Tryingtokeepgoing · 23/07/2025 09:58

LoveSkaMusic · 22/07/2025 22:32

Cameras on or off, I don't care.

There is no etiquette for cameras in meetings, and if there was it would be for cameras to be off unless strictly necessary. After all, online meetings were the direct descendent of conference calls, which of course, are audio only.

I think you've missed out the dreaded video conferencing facilities of the late '90s/00s, where no one could get the equipment to work first time ;)

But, they were all on-camera, and if you were particularly unlucky the camera followed the speaker... It seems to me that a Teams call is a hybrid of a conference call and video conference, so on that basis teams call etiquette ought to be whatever you want it to be :)

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 23/07/2025 09:56

Allisnotlost1 · 23/07/2025 09:37

Eh? No it hasn’t, Teams has replaced (at least partially) face to face working. If everything could have been done on the phone we’d have had large scale hybrid/WFH way before Covid.

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Not for our organisation. We're all still in 5 days a week, we just use teams instead of the phone or conference calls

Allisnotlost1 · 23/07/2025 09:37

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 23/07/2025 08:10

What's wrong with talking to a blank screen? How is that any different to talking to someone on the phone? Which is essentially what teams has replaced

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Eh? No it hasn’t, Teams has replaced (at least partially) face to face working. If everything could have been done on the phone we’d have had large scale hybrid/WFH way before Covid.

Allisnotlost1 · 23/07/2025 09:35

EBearhug · 23/07/2025 01:20

There are roles where the background could give away your whereabouts, or it could pick up plans on the wall in a secure area behind someone that others on the call don't have authority to view. It's easier to disable all cameras and ban mobile listening devices. (In a previous job, my ability to read upside down could be very useful in one-to-ones in my manager's office, so I do get the point that it just removes the need to cover things thst shouldn't be shared.)

I do have a couple of deaf colleagues, but they seem to manage with just hearing aids. Mind you, there probably aren't many calls where they would be missing anything wildly exciting...

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Thanks for replying.

it’s about competing needs and priorities right? So for your workplace security is a big consideration, but for others it isn’t. And for deaf or neurodivergent colleagues who need to see faces, it’s not necessarily about what they would miss but the culture of inclusion and feeling part of a team. I love a webinar where no cameras are required because we’re all looking at the screen, but if I also can’t see the presenter I do find it harder to feel engaged.

EllieQ · 23/07/2025 08:55

Donewiththisshit · 18/07/2025 20:33

I find these threads both fascinating and helpful as someone who struggles to get the balance right. For all the people who have very few meetings, and keep them strict and efficient- where do you get your ‘water cooler’ chat and getting to know your colleagues? All this stuff is vital for developing team bonds and cohesive working, trust and psychological safety. How does it happen if you have 2 hours of meetings a week and no chit chat? Do you speak to colleagues in between meetings?

We tend to have a few minutes chat at the start of the meeting when it’s internal only, and if I call a colleague about a work issue, we’ll have a chat first. But we’re all in the office two days a week, so that’s how we get to know each other and have the water cooler type chats. Our team meetings are in person as well.

The usual meeting etiquette is to have cameras on, unless you’re having a snack in which case it’s considered polite to turn your camera off.

TantrumsAndBalloons · 23/07/2025 08:52

The camera thing drives me insane, some of my team have now found a way on google hangouts where they can have their camera on, with a google background and they themselves are not visible on the screen
Its written into our WFH policy that cameras need to be on for meetings unless agreed with your manager, it is very difficult to interact with people if I cant see them, it makes me question if anyone is listening or engaging with the conversation

Jellycatspyjamas · 23/07/2025 08:40

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 23/07/2025 08:10

What's wrong with talking to a blank screen? How is that any different to talking to someone on the phone? Which is essentially what teams has replaced

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It’s utterly soulless, I used to deliver essential training online - the number of people who would turn up, camera off and get really fed up when it was explained they needed their camera on due to the nature of the training (sensitive content, lots of group discussion/participative content). Less it’s a very big, seminar type meeting I’d expect people to “show up” on screen.

MellowPinkDeer · 23/07/2025 08:35

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 23/07/2025 08:10

What's wrong with talking to a blank screen? How is that any different to talking to someone on the phone? Which is essentially what teams has replaced

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We never ever talked on the phone. Teams has replaced face to face meetings, not phone calls. Who even has phone calls?!

Aspanielstolemysanity · 23/07/2025 08:15

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 23/07/2025 08:10

What's wrong with talking to a blank screen? How is that any different to talking to someone on the phone? Which is essentially what teams has replaced

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It isn't though, is it. Teams allows hybrid working, it's part of the reason people go into the office less. It's replaced face to face meetings not telephone calls

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 23/07/2025 08:10

MellowPinkDeer · 23/07/2025 07:59

I just leave on time and if people are more than 7 minutes late to meet me I log off and email them asking them to reschedule.

cameras have to be on ( I make all my team do this) I’m not talking to a blank screen it’s ridiculous.

I decline anything that clashes )m( unless really urgent) I ensure mine and my departments calendars are open. When people want to meet me I say ‘ my calendar is open so pick a free time that works for you’ I don’t do the legwork.

when I first started this role I had to tell someone not to vape on a video call - that was a new one for me 🤣

I also work with two screens so in boring meetings I get on with other stuff in the background and if it’s not relevant to me I will leave, haven’t got time for wasted hours!

What's wrong with talking to a blank screen? How is that any different to talking to someone on the phone? Which is essentially what teams has replaced

MellowPinkDeer · 23/07/2025 07:59

I just leave on time and if people are more than 7 minutes late to meet me I log off and email them asking them to reschedule.

cameras have to be on ( I make all my team do this) I’m not talking to a blank screen it’s ridiculous.

I decline anything that clashes )m( unless really urgent) I ensure mine and my departments calendars are open. When people want to meet me I say ‘ my calendar is open so pick a free time that works for you’ I don’t do the legwork.

when I first started this role I had to tell someone not to vape on a video call - that was a new one for me 🤣

I also work with two screens so in boring meetings I get on with other stuff in the background and if it’s not relevant to me I will leave, haven’t got time for wasted hours!

EBearhug · 23/07/2025 07:38

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 23/07/2025 06:39

I think having your camera off in a meeting is just rude. Some of the reasons given here are just nuts. Especially the ones about other people seeing your house. Put on a background! All my colleagues use backgrounds, I've never seen any of their houses.

Back in my old job, when I could WFH, I used to have my feminist books behind me, including on equal pay and so on. I know some people looked, because a couple of them asked things like, "what's that title by your left shoulder?"

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 23/07/2025 06:39

I think having your camera off in a meeting is just rude. Some of the reasons given here are just nuts. Especially the ones about other people seeing your house. Put on a background! All my colleagues use backgrounds, I've never seen any of their houses.

Chiseltip · 23/07/2025 06:30

Meetingtimes · 06/05/2025 20:37

just been on back to back meetings all day again, and feeling so frustrated with with following;

General update meeting - everyone has a 5 min slot, people going over this consistently with absolute drivel nobody needs to know about, prompts that there time is up, but carry on in the weeds
Meeting running over, some smart arse asks a question that could of been asked directly to the person at a later time
No cameras on, even by the presenters, I kid you not I once did a full days training with an external trainer and they didn’t switch their camera on once!
Having an open calendar policy, but still getting diary clashing invites
Not responding to an invite at all
leaving your mic on instead of just having a default so it mutes on calls with 10s of people

I might just be stressed (from all the tedious meetings) but why do people do this, especially the first 2?!?

This is why A.I is going to take most jobs.

None of that sounded productive, just wasted salaries .