With the rise of remote and hybrid work virtual meetings have become essential for collaboration, communication, and decision-making. Having online meetings allows teams worldwide to work together in real time. With this comes the conundrum: should employees have their cameras on or off during virtual meetings? Turning your camera on or off can significantly impact team communication, engagement, and trust building.
The Pros of Keeping Cameras on During Virtual Meetings
There are several benefits of keeping cameras on during meetings. Here are the top four reasons:
1. Enhances Communication
When the camera is on, it allows us to see someone’s facial expressions and body language. Seeing these expressions helps us to understand their thoughts and feelings. Rather than words getting lost in translation, we can see the smile, head nod, or the look of confusion you may otherwise miss. These visual cues lead to a better understanding between the team, allowing them to communicate more effectively.
2. Builds Trust and Relationships
It is essential to have a good relationship with your colleagues. Hybrid and remote work can sometimes make daily interactions difficult. Turning the camera on, seeing your colleagues smile, and having occasional small talk help bring people together. Facial expressions and body language also play a vital role in building relationships. Being able to see these has a dramatic impact on how we interpret other’s intentions and emotions. It allows us to create a more personal and relaxed space for employees.
3. Increases Engagement
Seeing your colleagues allows us to connect and engage when we may otherwise get distracted with emails, text messages, and sometimes even social media. Without all the outside distractions, we would be more focused and more likely to participate more in the meetings, which would lead to improved outcomes for the company.
4. Accountability
Having cameras on lets employees know that the meeting is important. It shows that they need to be present and engaged. Their engagement also holds the employees accountable for their actions during the video conference.
The Cons of Keeping Cameras on During Meetings
Although there are several advantages to keeping cameras on during meetings, there are also several disadvantages. I have provided the top four counterarguments for not keeping your cameras on.
1. Technical Issues
Poor internet connection, limited bandwidth, and insufficient lighting can all cause a poor viewing experience. Someone who lives in a rural area may struggle more than others due to not having access to more optimal internet, and others may not have access to the latest technology. Some employees may not be technologically savvy enough to resolve their issues during the call.
2. Privacy Concerns
Employees who work from home may be uncomfortable showing their personal space while on camera. Our homes are our safe space, and showing that safe space to everyone on calls is a concern for some people. Some people feel that with their personal lives on display to all their colleagues, there is no separation between work and home.
3. Increased Pressure on Appearance
We always want to look presentable, but one of the perks of working from a remote office is that we can sometimes relax. Keeping cameras on during meetings can cause some employees to feel pressured always to look their best. This pressure takes away from the more relaxed environment and can even cause increased fatigue in these employees.
4. The Anxiety of Being on Camera
Some people may have anxiety about being on camera, which can lead to uncomfortableness and can detract from their ability to engage during the meeting effectively. New team members may experience this more as they adjust to a team that already has a solid rapport.
Should Cameras be On or Off During Meetings?
I don’t think there is one size that fits all for this question. Companies have an opportunity to counter the perceived negative aspects to help employees get to a place where they are comfortable having cameras on more often.
The company can provide IT and financial support for those with technical difficulties to help improve Wi-Fi speed or deal with other technical issues.
Set expectations from the top down: For internal calls, less formal attire allows for a more relaxed environment, and the company teaches employees when more formal dress is required. Setting expectations will remove the pressure on the employee to make the decision.
In summary, it is crucial to teach employees when to have cameras on and when to have cameras off.
For example:
- When presenting, your camera should be on.
- If you are in a decision-making meeting, your camera should be on.
- Knowing when to turn your camera on and off will help alleviate some stress from employees.
- When your camera is on, choose a virtual background that enhances your professional appearance and protects your privacy.
In the end, I don’t think there is an all or nothing approach where employees should constantly have their cameras on or always have their cameras off.
How does your organization manage the issues of virtual meetings? HRchitect, a fully remote company understands the best methods to communicate to ensure your HCM strategic priorities or implementation needs are met. Contact us today, to find out more.
About the Author
Christina is a Dayforce WFM and Payroll consultant with ten years of experience. Her passion is in the global market, specifically the UK. She has expertise in WFM and payroll implementations and projects from 500 – 20,000 employees. Her experience includes discovery, configuration, implementation, post-implementation support, and change management in WFM and payroll projects.
Christina graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.
In her career, she has found that using her camera during virtual meetings has significantly impacted the outcome of her projects. She has built better relationships with her clients, which has enabled better performance for both sides.
Christina enjoys spending time with her 15-year-old son outside of work, traveling the world, and watching him play baseball and football.
Learn more about Christina on LinkedIn.