How can I get out of this?

[Kroptopbelly]

I am dead set against it, I do not want to do it, nothing will persuade me to participate in it.

I have started a new job and had to agree to a promotional picture that was circulated within my work stream, the coms lady stated that she was going to also put it on all social media and in 2 local newspapers.
I only agreed to my work stream, me in a mask sitting at a desk.

My own mother does not have single picture of me as an adult in her house.
I can’t tell you how fucking horrific I find having my picture taken. I refuse point blank in any social settings, I am the person who offers to take the picture to draw no attention to this.
It’s years and years and YEARS since I had any pictures of me taken.
I cannot and do not understand the whole selfie concept, it’s not for me at all.

So now my work has emailed to say that their coms people now want to make a promotional film to try to recruit new staff, they want me to film a section. Thing is, my role is key to new starters.
It’s making me want to just leave, I absolutely do not want to be any part of it.

I know, I’m a fucking weirdo and you won’t get what my issue is, I know all that, but it’s there, I do not want to do it at all under any circumstances.
How do I get out of it?

Well presumably you have a legitimate reason so just tell them? You probably won't have to tell them in detail.

Legitimate reason being I’m old, I’m fat, I’m the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen, I feel physically sick at the thought of being filmed or on a picture preserved for people to look at and think what I think.
The end.
I’m not interested in any crap about not being any of those things, I am. That’s it.

Do you line manage anyone, or is there anyone under you, that you could delegate the task to? Don't make a big deal out of it, just replay saying you're not comfortable with being on camera but know that 'Liz' would do a great job and suggest they ask her.

There’s no one with me in my job no, but there is loads of scope for lots of the other staff to promote the place.

Is there anything in your job description that mentions participating in promotional material being an essential requirement? If not then I think you have the right so say no. I would offer to help with the content but just say you won't be behind the camera yourself.

There is nothing in my jd to say this no.
I’d be more than happy to assist in putting it together for others to use, very willing.
Hmm may be a goer there with that, thanks.

I can understand why you don't want to do it but whether you have a legitimate work reason not to would be up to your employer.

Good luck with trying to find an alternative option with them

@Kroptopbelly

Legitimate reason being I’m old, I’m fat, I’m the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen, I feel physically sick at the thought of being filmed or on a picture preserved for people to look at and think what I think. The end. I’m not interested in any crap about not being any of those things, I am. That’s it.

Okay. Here's a paragraph I deleted from my first reply but then I wasn't sure if this was your issue. It seems it is.

"I am the least photogenic person I know, especially as I get older. My new passport picture makes me want to cry. But I'm still me and people still like me despite it all so I grit my teeth and bear it because pretty much the only person who really cares what I look like in a photograph is me."

I'm guessing that might not help but it's all I've got

I don’t think that my direct line manager will be the least bit interested so I’ve not got that battle to fight thank god.
It’s just the bloody coms people who have decided this is a great idea.

Just refuse. Suggest they hire an actor and give her a fictitious name.

I’d just use an excuse like you are uncomfortable that your workplace will be identifiable and you don’t want that connection put out into the public domain due to personal safety reasons. We have some staff that have had to leave abusive husbands or have had stalkers who don’t engage with LinkedIn or have any information about their work in public at all.

You can legally opt out. We had to sign a form stating yes or no to photographs being used and lots of people opted out. They can’t use your image unless you give them permission.

Just say no

@Letsrunabath

You can legally opt out. We had to sign a form stating yes or no to photographs being used and lots of people opted out. They can’t use your image unless you give them permission.

Which law is that? If it's part of your job description how does that work?

Gdpr - you need to have signed an image release form which specifies the purpose for which the photo was taken and can be used. You can subsequently withdraw consent for its use.

Any comms person I’ve ever met knows they can’t force people in to this. If they did and you were clearly really uncomfortable or rubbish at it then it would be a total waste of time

You can easily say “I’m not comfortable with filming but happy to pull together scripts / answer questions” etc. You could nominate someone else - maybe someone junior for “exposure”, someone senior for some corporate message (ie does the company have a good gender diversity policy? If so, could suggest a senior woman) or offer to be the voiceover if they use generic footage and graphics onscreen

Lots of ways around it

Have you considered getting help for your issues? I’m quite sure you’re not as hideous as you think you are and it’s really unhealthy to think of yourself like that!

I am a Comms person. I would totally understand. I would fight your corner if I had to. Find someone like me to understand and protect you. Nobody should have to do this.

Nope, no help needed it’s not an issue normally as I never come into situations needing photos.
Never.

I’ve drafted an email to say that I definitely do not want to be in any film but am willing to help in any other way.
I don’t have the time to be honest to faff around with this kind of crap, so hopefully they will just crack on without any input from me.

Without your consent they can't publish any photo or film of you. Use the words 'I do not consent' so they take it seriously, if you say you don't wish to be photographed they might think you're being coy.

I'd be just as uninterested in being involved in that sort of thing!

A plain no will do. Don’t offer to help as they may try to persuade you face to face.

People who refuse to have their photo taken are so tedious. I've met a few in my life. Honestly, NOBODY actually gives a shiny shite how you look in a picture. They barely register.

It's a form of attention seeking.

I don't do this shit because privacy. That answer should be good enough for them.

@TeckanandMultra

People who refuse to have their photo taken are so tedious. I've met a few in my life. Honestly, NOBODY actually gives a shiny shite how you look in a picture. They barely register.

It's a form of attention seeking.

Oh just bugger off It's a personal choice

No attention seeking here, it’s a straight no, no discussion.
Tedious are people who do make a big thing of it but they have no understanding of the reasons behind it and no, I won’t explain to you.

You don’t get it so shut up and move on.

@TeckanandMultra An awful photo of me taken at work ended up on the website of a national organisation and appears high in any search result for my very googlable name. It's fucking mortifying and it's followed me for years. Why should anyone have to put up with that?