Do you go on camera on Teams?

[thelastgoonthemerrygo]

I had a meeting with a supplier today and he had his camera off the entire time and I just find it unprofessional, like you’re suppose to be building up a relationship and I’m just talking to a black screen.

Ive worked with colleagues I’ve not met in person and they still don’t go on camera. So bedsides a profile photo I’ve don’t have much idea what they look like.

I say this as someone who hates seeing myself on camera.

Why is it unprofessional? You don't need to know what the other person looks like. I sometimes have my camera on but I prefer not to

I don't have a profile picture either

I do tend to put my camera on, but it doesn't really bother me if other people don't. It's just like a phone call.

Yes, where I work it would be rude if you didn't in a small group. If in a big meeting, it's fine to not put it on though.

If it’s two people and one has their camera off, it should be a phone call.

Yes and as someone with hearing difficulties who needs to lip read and watch for visual cues I find it very difficult when someone doesn't turn their camera on.

Its also very rude.

If someone doesn't put the camera on, why would you have a teams call? I just don't get it myself, perhaps it's industry specific, but I wouldn't like it.

Yes unless it’s in a massive call of 20+ people where one person is presenting.

it’s not nice talking to a black screen. If I wanted to phone you I’d pick up the phone. It’s much nice being able to talk with a person’s face. You can gauge body language and reaction too. For my workplace for external calls you’d be expected to have cameras on. Quick internal call maybe not

Some desktops don't have a camera so no picture.

Culture of this company is camera on. Culture at the last was camera off. I just follow that lead. Always made sure I was “camera ready” at the last job though in case I did meet with someone who wanted cameras on. I wouldn’t leave mine off if someone else had theirs on.

edit: typo

We don't have phones anymore so it's all teams but sometimes it's a 'phone call' and sometimes it's a video call. Meetings usually camera on unless big meeting.

We are on teams all the time with colleagues and clients
normally camera on however it’s normal
for all of us to have an occasional
”non camera day” eg when full of cold

My general rule is that if they have their camera on, I turn mine on.

Agree with you. I would say unless a big meeting it is rude to have camera off.

Yes unless it's a mass, 80+ people type meeting where I don't need to. I had one supplier all through lock down who I never saw, always camera off, everyone else always had theirs on and all still.do.
On the flip side, no one does at my mum's work.

I always put my camera on and find it weird when I'm talking to someone who hasn't tbh, I don't want to be talking to a black screen!

I can’t stand this, I find it rude. Some companies have an awful culture for it.

I find it very difficult to interact normally or present where there are loads of blank screens, it’s such a block to proper collaboration. If I’m meeting with a single person and they’d rather not be on camera then I’d much rather they suggested a phone call instead.

Expectation is cameras are on during conference calls. It's fine to turn camera off if needed e.g. Wi-Fi issues but my work is client facing and if we want people to pay us to provide a service the least we can do is to show our faces.

It's not a landline, camera functionality should be used. It's bad manners not to I agree.

I always have it on, as does everyone I work with, unless it's a large meeting (20+) then some dont.

I think it's extremely rude and difficult to communicate with cameras off.

Surprisingly from previous threads on MN a lot of people disagree.

I hate to loathing Team/Zoom/Skype/Facetime chats. I do always suggest calls instead though, and find them much more productive.

Definitely camera on. We're office based but since Covid often use TEAMS as cheaper and less time consuming. I'd be really miffed if somebody had theirs off unless it's a big group (death by Powerpoint) type thing.

I have one manager whose camera doesn't work. She can see me but I can't see her. It's a known issue so doesn't bother me and often will turn my camera off when I meet with her. If you're not using the video call function then just pick up the phone?

I don't. Not when working from home anyway. My home is my castle, and whilst there is nothing embarrassing in view, it's not for work colleagues.

Profile picture updated about every couple of years.

It's very rare in my organisation to have camera off unless you're dealing with an organisation that has cameras disabled (eg I think the Ministry of Defence doesn't allow camera access).

Having spent so long on video calls, I know find phone calls very hard because you can't see the facial cues.

If I’m in the office I don’t tend to have it on because our desks have 2 full size monitors on so I work off those with my laptop lid closed and physically don’t have space on the desk to open my laptop as well other than to give people a view of the back of a monitor! I do sometimes manoeuvre it round in an awkward sort of way that strains all the cables just to say hello face to face but otherwise it’s off. If I’m at home I tend to use it unless I’ve not washed my hair or my laundry is drying in the background.

Always. Unless it's a large meeting and I just have to listen then I usually turn it off for a bit.