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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be sick of having my photo taken at work?

51 replies

KatDubs261 · 24/02/2020 19:00

Ok fair enough when I started I had an employee photo taken for online. Now we are made to put it in our signatures which I hate as my own face pops up all the time!

For the last couple of weeks at almost every meeting or event we've been having our photos taken, close ups of us working, videos of us walking around the office, you name it. I think it is because the brand is trying to make more of an effort with its image but I hate it.

Today we were asked to have our photos taken for instagram posts and I finally snapped (inside anyway). I don't want my face all over social media and I'm starting to find it quite intrusive. AIBU?

OP posts:
Original poster
KatDubs261 · 24/02/2020 20:31

I do wonder the reasoning behind the email sigs. They enforced it to the point where they were like it better be done by 'x date'. Now I think about it a few people still haven't changed it.

The majority of the workforce are young and I think a bit naive about this stuff. Tomorrow if it is brought up I will simply say I am not comfortable with my face being everywhere. I bet I won't just be speaking for myself

OP posts:
BridgeToTerabithia · 24/02/2020 20:34

@YouDancin I believe it is my boss. But actually no idea. I recently heard from a client as well that our calls may be taped. Never been told that by my boss either!

Brefugee · 24/02/2020 20:37

What are the sanctions? For example for the email (I'd just flat out not do it)? and for the social media i'd just either pull faces or wear a false moustache or something until they stopped asking/telling.

I loathe photographs of me, and have very very few. I wouldn't be at all amenable to my firm telling me to put photos of me anywhere except on my employee pass.

Dyrne · 24/02/2020 20:42

We were told we needed to update our Outlook profiles so that our photo was associated with our emails and popped up internally. Emails were sent out with reminders to do it by X date. I just didn’t do it; and as I thought there were zero repercussions. Unfortunately, it completely sent a colleague into a tailspin and it must have triggered her PTSD - she escaped an abusive relationship and doesn’t even put photos on social media etc - she was so upset at the thought that, no matter how remote, her ex could find her via emails being forwarded on etc.

Stand up and say no, OP. As PP have pointed out, nowadays with GDPR your employers have to accept your decision. Odds are they won’t even notice if you quietly remove your photo from your email.

Dyrne · 24/02/2020 20:44

(Oh and I’m with you on the constant bloody photographs of everything - there’s a joke in our team: “if you don’t take a picture of the meeting and put it on Yammer, did the meeting ever actually happen?”)

Oysterbabe · 24/02/2020 20:45

We have one on our email signature too. Mine was taken when I started 7 years ago and was single and childless. Now I'm married with 2 small children and haven't slept in 5 years. I feel like my innocent, fresh, relaxed face is taunting me. It's like the ghost of Christmas past.

Original poster
KatDubs261 · 24/02/2020 20:45

I think the person enforcing this will notice if I remove it, because they haven't been pleasant towards me in the past and sometimes looks for reasons to have a go.

I am not sure what my rights are RE this and GDPR. Any ideas anyone?

OP posts:
BritneyPeedOnALadybug · 24/02/2020 20:52

@KatDubs261
Read through this: smallbusiness.co.uk/can-i-insist-on-staff-having-their-photo-taken-2173628/

“When the photos are identifiable this could reveal something about someone’s health, disability or racial origin and this could be seen as sensitive personal data.”

BritneyPeedOnALadybug · 24/02/2020 20:55

I’d argue similar points about a company enforcing pronouns in email signatures as it could lead to conscious bias.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 24/02/2020 20:59

Did you decide not to click on the link explaining your rights?

Original poster
KatDubs261 · 24/02/2020 21:51

@BritneyPeedOnALadybug thanks for the link, very useful.

OP posts:
StoorieHoose · 25/02/2020 06:36

We have this on our Outlook (just internal not in email signatures). None of my Team (IT) have a real picture of themselves - some are cartoons, one is a baby picture at least 40 years old etc. This was pointedly mentioned at manager's meeting and I used the reasons posted earlier by Britany and nothing more has been said

bumblingbovine49 · 25/02/2020 06:45

I am pretty compliant about most things at work, but I would.refuse to put my photo on an email signature. I just wouldn't do it. I wouldn't make a fuss, it just wouldn't get done

recrudescence · 25/02/2020 06:53

Keep getting your makeup badly wrong and wear outlandish clothes, including, perhaps, a top hat. I guarantee your picture won’t be taken again.

ArtemisOfOrtygia · 25/02/2020 07:06

It's policy at my work that everyone should have a picture of themselves as their work e-mail avatar. I took mine down as soon as I discovered I could do it. So far, no one has said anything to the fact that my picture is missing. And it's been like two years now.

BiltongBetty · 25/02/2020 07:10

I fought and lost the war on this at work. I'm a news reporter and my face appears under every byline, both online and in print. I really hate it.

To compensate, I've deleted all my social media accounts.

A colleague of mine turned up on photo day with her moustache highlighted with mascara. Bosses didn't laugh, but I did.

mrsBtheparker · 25/02/2020 10:55

I had this argument many years ago in the school where I worked. It was decided that there would be photos of each member of staff in the foyer, I refused, I don't have photos of myself, ever.

goodwinter · 25/02/2020 11:04

Hell no. If they want realistic candids of their own staff for marketing material, they need to ask for volunteers.

Slothkin · 25/02/2020 13:49

My previous workplace used a photo of me on the website after I had declined consent. I got that sorted sharpish. It might sound odd but I’m actually not that fussed personally; however it’s a principle I strongly believe in and was in the fortunate position of feeling confident to make a stand.

Original poster
KatDubs261 · 25/02/2020 21:11

As expected they brought it up today reminding us all we had to submit a photo of ourselves for social media. So in a room of about 20 people I stated I wouldn't be doing that as I don't want my face plastered online. Apparently no one has submitted a photo and while no one stood up and agreed with me, plenty stayed silent who haven't done it either

OP posts:
AutumnRose1 · 25/02/2020 21:15

We had a thread about this recently

I’ve also refused this

If anyone’s taking pictures during meetings, I say to them not to include me

I don’t allow pics of myself online.

Original poster
KatDubs261 · 25/02/2020 21:31

Glad to hear so many voices of reason!

My managers make it sound as though having our photos constantly taken and stuck online is normal. I actually think most of my colleagues don't even think twice about it. Like I said, I've heard a few people complaining very under the radar but no one speaks out. Quite glad I did today.

OP posts:
SewItGoes · 25/02/2020 21:43

I'd hate that, too. YANBU.

AutumnRose1 · 25/02/2020 22:16

Unfortunately I think it is normal

That isn’t the point

The point is, it’s your choice.

Harakeke · 25/02/2020 22:32

"Like I said, I've heard a few people complaining very under the radar but no one speaks out."

You are leading the resistance! You're their new leader, OP.

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