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?

Well it might be an age thing. I’m on the wrong side of 50.

That said, with my upcoming meeting my boss has just contacted me to ask if I’ve got everything I need.

He is well aware of how self conscious I can get about my face and has told me I’m fine to go dark or use minimal lighting.

He is of the opinion that I wouldn’t frighten those of a nervous disposition but he knows I don’t feel that way most days. It has never affected my ability to do my job. People focus on what I do - and rarely are in the position to notice my face.

He has done what I would hope most bosses would do - take into consideration any difficulties. He thought I might be worried and got in touch. Job done.

He knows fine well I will pay attention. He knows damn well I will participate if needed. (Which is the reason he wants me to be there) He knows I work hard and take pride in what I do. I don’t believe he would care what we wear either but I’ll be up and as presentable as I can be regardless.

Some may think it isn’t a big deal. It is for me and clearly some others. It doesn’t feel pathetic to me. I don’t feel pathetic when I am doing my normal job. This is not the norm for me - nor will it be.

@Atrixie

I disagree. If you are working your camera should be on. Would you sit in the office with your face covered?

We have a rule that all cameras are on for all meetings and we prefer that people aren’t muted either.

WTF. The mute thing? So you have the chance to listen to every mo fo sniff, cough and scratch their balls? First thing I usually hear on meetings is please mute unless you are speaking.

As for the black t-shirt, totally depends on the role, but that's not what this about here.

No, you're right @dontdisturbmenow but you were the one saying it's not for me to decide what I wear!

I hate being on camera but I do it because I have to, just don't expect me to be wearing make up or my office clothes. I'll be clean and smart but not dressed up as there is no need. It doesn't mean I can't do my job, in fact I'm probably better if I'm dressed comfortably.

WTF. The mute thing? So you have the chance to listen to every mo fo sniff, cough and scratch their balls? First thing I usually hear on meetings is please mute unless you are speaking.

Same here! If everyone wants to hear the cat snoring or chasing his toys then fine, I'll leave it on!

@Youngatheart00

Those who are criticising have clearly never spent 30+ hours a week on zoom, week after week, month after month

I love meeting people in person. I now hate video calling.

There is a huge difference.

I have and do too.

Visual cues are really important. If I want just audio, I'll have a phone call. If I'm doing a staff meeting and half the cameras are off, I just do not know anything from those people. I have no response, no smiles, grimaces, nods, shrugs, frowns. Those are all important.

And I'm the wrong side of 50. Have a messy house. Pets, kids and laundry. I wear joggers and have wrinkles. I don't care if I see that on the screen either.

I wouldn't worry at all, as I say "I would love to put my camera on, but sadly its not working/glitchy internet!" (problem solved)

@GreyWall

people are genuinely struggling and they dont take our wellbeing seriously

I have little empathy with those outside of teaching and the NHS or policing after the huge amount of teacher bashing we've been subjected to. Makes me feel better to give it back #violin

Though probably not the same people that were necessarily bashing teachers. And those that were bashing teachers you have given them more ammo.

It's not unreasonable to request cameras on. I don't buy that being on camera is so distressing.

[quote Makingnumber2]@sparticuscaticus this is a really interesting perspective which I hadn't even considered- thanks for sharing.
Do the captions not come up with just mic on? Or is it the captions, combined with visual of someone's face (lips moving) that is most effective for people with hearing impairment?[/quote]
Live captions change words, they're helpful but entertaining replacement words! (And when people
Gabble fast!) video feee helps by
Combination of lip reading , sound that I can hear and reading visual cues. Rather than interrupt I use open chat down the side to clarify what I or live captions text mishear

Anyone without a good reason to put on camera on our team
meetings, that disabled colleagues including me are required to attend, would be spoken to - as a discriminatory issue- as it breaches reasonable adjustments under Equality Act to help us participate

Yanbu op. Our company has never made anyone put video on for a meeting. Its unnecessary.

Also we have daily calls exactly like you say, with the same people talking about themselves. I hate those meetings with a passion.

Just don’t look at yourself on screen. People know what you look like warts and all if you work in the office with them?

I think it is rude having the camera turned off, it’s much harder to read facial expressions and get stuff done if you’re relying on voice alone.

Also what would you do normally when you’re endometriosis is so bad you’re in pain on your sofa? Should you have a sick day instead?

This thread has made me feel glad I'm with a flexible company that values us and our wellbeing!

I tend to have camera on most of the time, especially talking one to one, but turn it off for webinars or large training sessions as I find it distracting. I also do sometimes feel a bit burned out by being 'on show' by the end of the week and so turn the camera off. No one minds.

My colleagues are sometimes on camera and sometimes not. It depends who is working on a smart phone or has children t home or slept badly etc. Some of our team are visually impaired too so never use it.

Out of curiosity, people who say they need to see others faces in order to see how they are and connect etc how do you or would you cope with someone who is autistic ?

So for my team, use of camera during video chat meetings is one of many reasonable adjustments that have been made to enable wfh for the many of us with hidden disabilities
Everyone in weeks team meeting would have had to mandatory attend it at office anyway, before Covid, so it is no different to video chat. It isn't daily (but I do videocalls throughout the week for my work).

It really does trounce the "I like to wear my pjs or work from my bed and don't want to put my camera on" replies of some PPs. Luckily my colleagues are kind and understanding and don't want to exclude me nor others.

I too think it is rude to not have your camera on.

Of course there are times where people need to turn it off briefly, or can't have it on due to technical issues.

I dont like video calls much, but most of my appointments are through video calls and when talking to other staff members and in team meetings there is the expectation that cameras are turned on, at the very least when you are talking. It is shit talking to a black box, so if you are actively talking people should at least turn it on then.

@GreyWall

people are genuinely struggling and they dont take our wellbeing seriously

I have little empathy with those outside of teaching and the NHS or policing after the huge amount of teacher bashing we've been subjected to. Makes me feel better to give it back #violin

You are just embarrassing yourself.

Especially tagging another poster who isn't on this thread.

Coming on here trying to make it about teachers, it is almost like you wanted it to turn into a teacher bashing thread.

I spend most of my time on video calls with the camera on.

I don't like others to have their camera off because I also want to see the visual cues - frowns, nods etc. It is much closer to a f2f meeting which on the whole is preferable. I don't care what you look like or the state of your house. I don't mandate it or call it out however but do ensure that the norm is camera on, except for very large meetings.

I have to switch my video off (and everyone else's for me) as my WiFi can't cope with it. There are other people in the house working etc.

I started to tether to my work phone as I was consistently moaned at for not having my camera on. Apparently I had used too much data and I couldn't do that anymore.

Their suggestion was that no one else in the house should use the WiFi whilst I'm working. Erm no.

I'm awaiting the next suggestion. If I have video on then I can't hear them.

Not having my video on is one of the reasonable adjustments I have at work - I also turn off incoming video. Otherwise I’m unable to contribute or understand what people are saying, I am sometimes forgotten about, though!

For those of you thinking that not having video on is rude, please bear in mind that you may not always know why someone doesn’t have their video on. My immediate team are all aware of my reasons, and I’d be happy to explain my reasons to someone like @sparticuscaticus who has a genuine reason to need video on, but it’s not really fair to just make assumptions.

@HopeForTheBestExpectTheWorst

How you look is not a secret, is it? If you're well enough to be working (and would normally be in the office) then you#re well enough to switch that camera on for 15 mintues or whatever. FFS it's not as if this is exactly new is it? I mean, FaceTime and video calling are quite standard, we've become a much more visual and digital society (camera phones, social networking etc). And all this "oh i need to do my hair/makeup" etc - well yes, you need to look the same level of presentable as you do every working day, nobody is asking you to do anything special surely? Whatever you usually do to leave the house (whether for work, shopping, meeting friends etc) that's what you need to do here.

Exactly this. I can’t get my head around it either. Presumably people didn’t find it distressing when they saw colleagues/clients in real life? Also everyone else on the call is on camera! Honestly do not get what the big deal is.

The point about being more visual as a society is interesting and I agree probably explains attitudes about this. I don’t use FaceTime or similar at all as I hate the thought of my mug filling up someone’s phone screen! Old fashioned phone call is fine for me. Don’t do FB or insta either. I think it’s taken for granted by people who’ve embraced these technologies that everyone is ok with them.

Talking of phone calls, I’ve noticed some posters say if you want a phone call or conference have one and not a ‘video call’. Surely I’m not the only one that has just the one system, no distinction?

I'm assuming GreyWall isn't actually a teacher as she is seemingly trying to create teacher bashing.

If she is, its attitudes like those that cause the teacher bashing.

Probably too dense to realise that. Poor cow.

The point about being more visual as a society is interesting and I agree probably explains attitudes about this. I don’t use FaceTime or similar

Same here, I use online messaging or call people. Video chat is just not a thing for me, whether it's for work or speaking to my mum and dad.

Of course your camera should be on. You’re at work so should be visible.