To think mandatory video calls is a ridiculous request?

[Lizzie523]

After nearly a year of working from home our manager has requested we all turn our cameras on for every daily team meeting (which is every day).

I can't say what my colleagues reasons are for turning theirs off some days, but I tend to do it on days my mental health isnt great or I've had a terribly sleepless night due to the stress of this whole situation. Probably once or twice a week. They are arguing we should appear like we were in the office - but in the office we got on with our work and were not having a daily meeting or sitting in front of all our co workers faces.

The meetings are usually pointless check ins where no one has a thing to say. It is always the same extroverts talking about personal stuff. The fact the videos on is now mandatory because they say so has annoyed me quite a bit. AIBU?

No because for me the courtesy is showing that you are paying attention to the person who is talking. What do you think all these people are doing with their cameras off? They will be doing something different!

I hate it when people leave their cameras off and then mute! Why bother? You are still relying on seeing facial expressions, body language etc to a certain extent when on a video meeting and it makes it impossible to have something close to a face to face with someone when you can’t see them and every time you ask them something there is a delay to unmute themselves

I don't get this dislike of video. My partner does loads of calls and doesn't use video much. Where as I use video all the time for mine. It would feel odd talking to a blank screen.

@MsConstrue

It's not controlling! It's so you can communicate better with your team, function better. You need as many types of connection as you can get if you're not actually face to face.

I need to see my staff - it's nothing about controlling their movements, or distrusting them.

I don't know you so you may be lovely but you are coming across as rather didactic and controlling to me! Some people really don't benefit from video calls, they have been proven to increase stress etc.

I am lucky as my manager asked us how we wanted to approach things.

But of course two posts on a thread is not your whole management style!

For those asking - I spend all day on calls, at least 9-6 and think you should have your video on.

I’m c-suite in an MNC. I might dip out for ten mins if I’m eating or occasionally I flick the camera off if I want to stand up for a bit but otherwise I keep it on.

I’d be irritated if someone showed up on screen in pyjamas - hoodie and leggings fine but at least get changed in the morning.

I also disagree it is poor manners to be unmuted in a call. In a presentation sure, you should mute but on a call in which you are supposed to be actively participating flicking on and off mute stilts the conversation.

I also use zoom and it’s easy to not display your own video for those (like me) who get sick of the sight of yourself.

I have lots of teams meetings and I noticed some individuals never have theirs on with the excuse that their hair is a mess or something. I mean seriously I don't care about their hair being immaculate. It is important to see if they are paying attention though. Sometimes some will be asked for an opinion and they are blatantly not there/doing something else.... I think turn on for meetings is no big ask. Being paid and so be 'present'

@CherryRoulade

As a manager, I think it’s quite important to be able to see people. I want to feel connected and be able to see body language and expression, to validate the “I’m OK”, words. I think communication is about more than speaking.

Yes this. If I don't regularly see my team's faces on camera it is very hard to know whether they are as ok as they say they are. I have a duty of care to them and want to make sure they aren't struggling or in need of help.

@GreyWall

I wonder what your opinion on live lessons is for teachers

Oh dear.... it's not all about them! Since you brought it up a head teacher said on TV yesterday they should be used to people popping into lessons or observing - what's to hide? He didn't think it was a major thing.

@OhDear2200

No because for me the courtesy is showing that you are paying attention to the person who is talking. What do you think all these people are doing with their cameras off? They will be doing something different!

This - I mean you are supposed to be working and taking part not snoozing/knitting/playing with the cat or doing the dishes

I hate having my video on in a large meeting just hate seeing myself , always have it in for a 1-1. When I’m in the office in a meeting I don’t have to look at myself.

I have to lead meetings / trainings and I find it incredibly rude for people to turn their cameras off. However, I am not in charge, so I don’t say anything. I think a compulsory social once a day is a stupid idea though!

I see people complaining about people being muted during meetings. I don't mind this at all and I tend to mute most of the time when not talking because the microphone picks up traffic noise going past the building and makes it hard for everyone else to hear the person who is talking.

Totally reasonable request I think sorry

I (reluctantly) have my camera on for internal meetings but refuse to do so for customer calls. They wouldn't see me if I took a call in the office so they don't need to see me now I'm WFH.

I always go on mute if I'm not speaking. That way no one hears DH moving around or the cat snoring!

What you're really saying is that you don't want to look like shit on camera.

Brush your hair, wash your face and Chuck a shirt on over your Pj bottoms.

Surely you can manage that for 30 minutes and stop caring so much what people think of you.

It is actually distressing for some to be on camera.

Really? Just get on with it - you're at work

@Splodgetastic

I have to lead meetings / trainings and I find it incredibly rude for people to turn their cameras off. However, I am not in charge, so I don’t say anything. I think a compulsory social once a day is a stupid idea though!

When wfh in lockdown 1 the daily Teams meeting (part social, part what's everyone up to today) were the only contact I had with other people on some days, my only chance to see or speak to someone. I cried when someone suggested we only do them once a week. Some people may think they are pointless, but for some they are needed.

I personally don't see the big deal about turning your camera on - just blur the background or use another backdrop if you don't want people to see into your home (or sit in front of a blank wall). I think it's done so that there is a bit more of a connection between people and teams.

However, on the agenda front I'd be saying "Sure I'll turn my camera on, but I'd appreciate the meeting having more focus with stated objectives and an agenda which we stick to please. I have found some of them a bit rambling recently".

I think as a general rule then having cameras on is perfectly reasonable. If there are exceptional circumstances that mean that isn't possible for you, either permanently, occasionally or as a one off, then you should address those directly with your manager.

Some of the examples given seem perfectly reasonable and I'm sure most mangers would understand. However if someone told me they couldn't come on camera because they were prostrate and contorted with pain I would be very concerned and insist they went on sick leave. How on earth can anyone be expected to continue working in such agony?

The thing is when you have a bad day working physically in the office you still have to be there and be visible.

Non verbal communication is incredibly important. Seeing people's faces helps a lot with keeping people engaged with their colleagues.

These meetings are important because they replace any number of casual interactions you would have on a daily basis face to face at work.

I find it terrifically rude when people won't turn cameras on and also implicitly self centred, there's an implied focus on your own preferences/bother about your own appearance etc ahead of focusing on doing the best job you can/doing what creates best outcomes for the team.

OP I have endo - been suppressed for a number of years by taking Cerazette without any breaks thankfully- but I remember being in work with the searing pain, so I can see that being at home would be a great benefit as at the time if I took enough painkillers and stood rather than sitting and did a few things, I could still churn out a days work - it was people seeing me in pain that was the awful bit.

But from the other side, I'm not a Line Manager but I do run a lot of meetings in my role. I much prefer it when cameras are on - means I'm interacting with other people rather than blank screens- but culturally some people won't do it so I won't force them. I hate looking at myself- I'm old, fat and ugly and just before lockdown I finally made an appointment- now postponed- to get a warty mole removed from the side of my nose which pre lockdown I'd never noticed.

It sounds like poor management rather than a camera issue. Monthly check ins have been insisted upon during lockdown for us and then absolutely the camera should be on.

If I don't regularly see my team's faces on camera it is very hard to know whether they are as ok as they say they are. I have a duty of care to them and want to make sure they aren't struggling or in need of help.

I hide more on screen. This was discussed in a work meeting, that those of us who used the old-school telephone a lot in our formative years prefer personal calls with our manager by phone.

In short - if I have to discuss something upsetting, I will be much more inhibited on a video call. This is apparently due to the fact that processing the images takes away from the emotional connection, plus the fact only one can speak at once, with the freaky delay, which makes the conversation stilted.

So to all managers I suggest taking time to think - is this video call really helping the person I manage?

I was also a manager until very recently, so I was managing during lockdown, and found others appreciated the chance to chat in other ways too.

I suggest if you really want to know how your team are, ask them how they like to chat and go with that.

I think any manager who insists on this is a shit manager tbh.

Sadly all too common.

Have read this with interest. My work place asks for cameras in be on All day- no one talking or doing anything we're just all there on it whilst wfh. I can totally understand it for a meeting where you are speaking and working and doing something but it's not that, it's just constant.
It's weird....
Op, I don't think you abu to not want to turn your camera on for a daily check in meeting

@GreyWall

I taught English in a foreign language via zoom during the first round. It takes a lot of planning, but it was absolutely fine. Teachers can’t be bothered with change, can’t be bothered making engaging lesson plans ( I’m sure that’s not the case for all, but for you it’s seems accurate). Also- why are you hijacking someone else’s thread ?

I think that you should have to have a 5 min meeting with your camera on. It’s good for you to get up, dressed and presentable. It sounds like you and some of your team are withdrawing - so that’s why it’s a good idea!