To think that people could attend meetings in person?

[Zorilla]

Just that really. Where I work most of us are in most days due to the nature of our job. However, whenever we have project or team meetings, only about 1/3 of the people will go into the meeting room, everyone else joins from their desk over Teams, with camera off.

AIBU to find this irritating? Today we had a team meeting, which is a conversational meeting rather than PowerPoint presentations. I was in the meeting room but only one other person joined me so I ended up just talking to a black screen of faceless people with their microphone off. What is the point?

Which isn't a well facilitated meeting with the right people? I don't go to meetings if there's no objective or agenda in the meeting invite

Totally agree. Wfh is fine occasionally for work/life balance, but people are disingenuous to say it's more effective. Unless you're doing work solely on your own like writing reports, or data entry etc. Nothing replaces human interaction, or even picking up information via a corridor conversation, water-cooler etc, it's just not the same. You can't build relationships working virtually, effective work is based on relationships, communication and technical skills

If I see people in a meeting room and I am in the same building, I'll join them. Why wouldn't you.

So you're the team leader OP?!

If you know everyone's dietary needs then stick a plate of food in the room and get everyone to bring a cuppa.

I agree with pp's, the extroverts have had it all their way since the dawn of time and now it's the revenge of the introverts. People bleating about "collaboration" having to be done in person just don't have the skills for a modern workplace.

Exactly. So weird.

Another reason why they might be reticent to go to the meeting room is if they are hot desking. It’s annoying having to decamp with all your stuff and maybe have to find another location once you return because someone’s nabbed your seat.

That is because they want to get on with something else. Either the meetings are a pointless waste of time, in which case don’t have them, or get people to attend in person.

If people are actually in the office, then just round them up before the meeting starts. 'We've got Meeting Room A booked for our 10am, c'mon, let's get moving.' Don't wait for them to follow you, stare expectantly at them until they physically get up.

If people are at home, ask them to put their cameras on.

If the above is met with resistance, it's a pointless meeting and should be cancelled. I only turn my camera off for pointless meetings where I'm doing something more useful with my time.

Not being able to attend a meeting in person isn’t just someone being introverted!

very very true.

This.

Take the hint @Zorilla - you're having too many meetings and no one genuinely values them/they all have more important things they need to do at that time.

What is the purpose and agenda of the Thursday Team Meeting? How long is the meeting?

This wouldn't be allowed in my office, if you are in the office you must attend in person. Sounds like they just can't be bothered.

Get some nice biscuits!

If you want ppl to attend in person font add teams/zoom as an option

Agreed.

JP Law didn't even clock I wasn't an employee until I was well into my fourth sandwich. 😀

YANBU.

Particularly the camera off thing, that’s so rude.

A meeting where you can’t see people is not a meeting, it’s a conference call.

What’s it got to do with vulnerable people or household members? She’s talking about people IN THE OFFICE but joining in on Teams from their desks.

At least read the OP properly before making accusations of ableism

If I was in the office (haven't been since June 2021) then I'd join a meeting in a room. Only reason I wouldn't would be if not enough space.

Mostly I join meetings via Teams (but no, I'm not turning my camera on and frightening people {grin})

Hmm, I'm in agreement with all the posters about pointless meetings. However, people often seem a bit perplexed how men seem to often skip rungs on the ladder and I honestly think it's the networking. Playing golf, going for beers etc.

Obv not everybody has time or the inclination for this but there's a huge difference between having a coffee and face to face chat vs never actually meeting someone in person in terms of building a rapport.

I agree with pp's, the extroverts have had it all their way since the dawn of time and now it's the revenge of the introverts.

It’s far too simplistic to make this an introvert v extrovert issue. I’m an introvert and both see the value in face to face meetings and personally prefer them over phone or video calls. The vast majority of people are not sitting at the extremes of extroversion and introversion that always gets stereotyped on MN work threads. I.e. introverts who get the job done without needing to even greet colleagues ever versus needy OTT extroverts.

Sometimes at work you put yourself out for colleagues and customers too. Give and take, like most things in life.

Getting into the office by private vehicle and sitting in your private office is very different than gathering in a room full of people.

one person knocking on your office door and asking to come in can be screened for current illness or for allergy traces before entry. Most of the people you work with frequently will know the rules of entering your personal space. That isn’t practical in a conference room that gets used throughout the day. .

Agree

How many people actually have their own office these days? Genuine question.