DISCUSSIONS

As a supervisor, do you prefer Zoom calls to be video-optional or video-mandatory and why?

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Dee Dee

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As a supervisor, do you prefer Zoom calls to be video-optional or video-mandatory and why?

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  1. Maria Molinari

    I’m not a supervisor (yet ?) but I’ve been the representative, the peer mentor and now a team lead and I can personally say I prefer making video optional. Everyone is different, you could be coaching someone who is shy and prefers to be off camera so you cannot see their face or expressions, or you could be coaching someone who is more extroverted and would love to be on video. I also think that when you make video optional, when people do join with their cameras on, they’ll be more inclined to be interactive versus if you make it mandatory.

  2. Dee Dee

    Very good observations! Thank you for your feedback!

  3. Anonymous

    As a person who is currently working IN THE OFFICE EVEY DAY and seeking a new job, I find zoom very difficult to do during business hours without distraction. I think that while we live in different times these days, we need to get back to in person meetings unless there is a significant time difference. My personal feeling and statement made by Jamie Dimon, is that he is ready to cancel all non-necessary zoom calls. It's time to get back to work. I understand there are exceptions with kids and such, but this pandemic has made people become complacent. I find that the best way to make a good impression is to meet in person. A lot of offices are still not back yet and while I understand this is a business choice, but for me, it really is not ideal in my situation. It's very hard to look for a new job when you are already in one not remotely 40+ hours a week without distractions and the majority of employers want to do zoom because its convenient. Obviously, my situation is unique, but I am with Dimon. No more zoom unless absolutely necessary.

  4. Ari Miceli

    Optional. Mandatory video has always struck me as a form of “monitoring” with little value beyond that. Contributions are usually the same from participants.

  5. Dee Dee

    Do you see a variation in participation when you don't have the cameras on? Like, someone who may be camera-shy speaks up more than when they're on camera?

  6. Ari Miceli

    I’ve actually had a couple of team members talk more with the camera off. I’d assumed they were a bit camera shy.

  7. Dee Dee

    Thank you for your feedback.

  8. Anonymous

    It depends on the meeting. If it's a sensitive topic or I need to check for understanding, I want cameras on - expressions tell me a lot so I can adjust what I'm sharing. Otherwise, I prefer cameras, but I think it's unreasonable to keep them on all the time.

  9. Dee Dee

    Good point, especially if it is a sensitive topic. Thank you for your feedback.

  10. Kat

    Video should be optional. Having video on takes up more bandwidth and lowers the overall quality of audio and video, especially with more than 1-2 people on the call. The lighting in my home office isn't great for video, so I prefer to leave it off. I don't really think it's needed most of the time.

  11. Dee Dee

    Is it ever required for meetings? Thank you for your feedback.

  12. Anonymous

    For a one-on-one video mandatory, assuming there is no technical reason not to use video. Facial expression, being sure the person is truly listening, and also my facial expression & attentiveness being on display are really important.

  13. Dee Dee

    I like that it's mandatory for 1:1 meetings. Thank you for your feedback!

  14. Megan Leasher

    I like video "preferred." It helps communicate a desire to see and be seen, but allows for moments where each person just might not be feeling up to it.

  15. Dee Dee

    When you're having a meeting in the office, are people allowed to attend via conference call if they're not feeling up to it? Thank you for your feedback!

  16. Megan Leasher

    Great question! I would say it depends on your organization. For us, if it were an internal meeting it would probably be ok, but if it were a meeting with clients in the office, that would not be ok.

  17. Paula Manczuk-Hannay

    This brings up a good point. For me, it depends on the circumstance. For large meetings, I am a video optional person, but when it’s your turn to present, your video should be on. I haven’t felt that anyone with camera off is less engaged, rather they simply aren’t up to it. And in large meetings, someone is screen sharing most of the time anyway.

    If it is a small group discussion or one on one, camera on.

    As a supervisor, I feel I should lean toward what makes the team more comfortable rather than what I want. I am ok feeling that someone maybe multitasking. Our workloads are ridiculous.

    When I am an anonymous attendee of a large meeting, I find it irritating when the speaker asks for camera on. There needs to be a reason for both parties to have their camera on. In that specific circumstance, it feels controlling.

  18. DENNISE WILLIAMS

    This may go against the grain, but I prefer to see the people I am speaking with. However, 90% of the Zoom meetings I attend are with people who have their video off and I think that that speaks to a lack of buy into the conversation.

  19. Dee Dee

    Interesting observation: buy into the convo. That's a valuable point. Thank you for your feedback.

  20. Amy Elrod-Lahti

    I know some people will groan when they see this comment, but I prefer calls to be video-mandatory. Facial expressions and body language communicate so much; with voice-only I feel like I am missing 2/3 of the conversation. I have had many conversations with colleagues (and even friends) where being able to read their facial expressions and body language gave me so much more information than what I was hearing. It's not fun to have to do my hair every day :-) for video calls, but I think it's worth it.

  21. Dee Dee

    A lot can be said just by using body language. I study the movement around me before I engage and that tells me all I need to know. Thank you for your feedback.

  22. Anonymous

    I think you’ll mostly have people actively thinking about how they are perceived and hiding their expressions as opposed to getting natural ones. It’s exhausting.

  23. Anonymous

    There's interesting research that has shown that it's difficult for people to actively and consciously manage their facial expressions and body language for more than a short period, and people rate themselves as being more effective at it than they actually are. We have a "video on" culture at my employer (people can have their video off if it's early or late, or they don't feel well, or they're just burned out on it after lots of meetings) and given that many of us are permanent remote and will never work together in an office, I think it's helpful. I would have had a hard time getting to know these people (the majority of whom I still have not met in person, and may not for some time) and understanding their communication style (and adapting to it) if I hadn't been able to see people's faces for the year-plus we've been working together remotely.

  24. Anonymous

    Depending on my internet connection that day, my facial expressions may be taken out of context because my screen is frozen or there’s a delay. Just a thought.

  25. Arika Lawrence

    I agree & I think it depends on the meeting-type! Large calls with more than 30+ employees on it, I believe cameras should be off, unless you'd like to get on camera to state your peace (due to a lowered audio & visual call experience, this is fact). However, in settings where deep collaboration is necessary or high priority meetings, then cameras should be on (small meeting). As for my 1:1s with my boss, we're trying something new with encouraging outdoor meetings where we're taking a "walk n talk" session (no camera on), if the weather permits it. We're stationary most of the day (always looking at a screen), so if we can encourage movement while meeting, I believe this is a healthy way to reimagine the way we take meetings.

  26. Dee Dee

    Ah! I love the "walk n talk" mtgs! This is definitely something I'd like to see incorporated into our team. Thank you for your feedback!

  27. Arika Lawrence

    You're welcome!

  28. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    NO CAMERAS!

  29. Anonymous

    Zoom-warrior, here! In the afternoon, I give everyone a break and ask if they mind if we go no camera. It’s nice to give your smile muscles a break!

  30. Dee Dee

    Thank you for the response! That's a good point.

  31. Rene Letendre

    Video on, please. I video mute when necessary, and only occasionally, and I expect others to do the same. When everyone is ALWAYS on video mute, it makes communication less effective, in my opinion. In a large meeting, the speaker is receiving zero non-verbal communication, which I do NOT like as a speaker.

  32. Emmy Bemmy

    Video mandatory, with some reasonable exceptions (person doesn't feel well, etc). I find it is easier to keep people engaged in the conversation when they know people can see them. I think it helps build a connection when you actually look people in the face.

  33. Anonymous

    Video mandatory. I think this is just the norm for remote working and while I'm open to all sorts of exceptions periodically, that's just what the baseline behavior is for every remote communication / meeting I've seen at other remote companies or for external meetings via video call.

  34. Anonymous

    If the only reason for continuing a practice is based on “this is what everybody else does,” perhaps you should reconsider this policy. If there’s no objective reason for your company requiring video during remote meetings, you should think about seeing the impact it has when you have no-video meetings.

  35. Heather (she/her)

    How does that address the needs of personality difference, neurodivergence, and other concerns that mandatory video creates?

  36. Anonymous

    Heather, I don't know if this is what you intend, but your repeated responses on this thread are coming across as confrontative or argumentative. If you're intending to educate people, or open up dialogue on an important topic, I don't think the tone you're hitting is going to accomplish that goal.

  37. Heather (she/her)

    My response to this comment specifically was too inquire about how a video mandate answers the needs of a diverse team. It's not something that most commenters who are saying a cameras-on mandate are addressing, and it's important to discuss.

  38. Anonymous

    As a meeting facilitator, video is optional. I want people comfortable at my meetings. Requiring video meetings reduces the comfort and convenience of remote work. On a personal note and as a long-time remote employee, I see video calls as an intrusion and unnecessary unless I am interviewing for a job.

  39. Amy

    I’ll speak on behalf of a lot of my finance/accounting supervisors :) OPTIONAL! Introverts can feel more distracted by having the camera on and seeing everyone else on a screen. This is very generalized and not true for everyone, but has been a consistent observation + many colleagues saying they don’t want cameras on.

    Personally, I enjoy them occasionally and have gotten more comfortable over time. But just like we used to be in normal meeting rooms, it’s unnatural to constantly look at the host on your computer screen. Sometimes I need to brainstorm and it looks like I’m looking away/distracted on camera, when it’s quite the opposite.

  40. Renee Holder

    I believe it depends on the type of meeting. If it is a small staff meeting, video should be on as this is the time to connect with your team. If you are an attendee of a larger meeting (e.g., project team) and you are not presenting any content, leaving video off is acceptable as the presenter should be on as well as their content (if they are sharing perhaps a PPT). I agree with others that it is distracting with colleagues moving about in their screen. If it is a lunch-hour meeting, video can be off so people can eat in peace. And my favorite...if it is 4pm on a Friday and there is an emergency meeting with ANYONE, there is no need for video. Overall, there should be flexibility with opportunity for people to choose. Making it mandatory all of the time is unnecessary especially if their work is getting done.

  41. Explorer678459

    Agreed and for larger meeting I prefer video off for tech bandwidth.

  42. Anonymous

    I am not a supervisor, and I don't want to be on Zoom, ever. Why do they need to see my face?

  43. Rebecca Jones

    I'm a supervisor, and I prefer traditional phone calls over video chat. When cameras are on, people worry too much about their backgrounds and their roommates, kids, pets, etc. No need to be self conscious about your Christmas tree being up in April. Just show me in your work that you are paying attention, and ask questions so I know you're thinking about what's going on. I do ask though that my team members use audio. I don't like having a seperate conversation in a chat box.

  44. Anonymous

    I do video off. My thought is, I'm facilitating a meeting between adults, not teaching a room of elementary students. I'll send an agenda before the meeting and hold people accountable for action items that come out of it. For me personally, when I'm in a meeting, I usually have multiple screens up with notes and information about the meeting topics. Sometimes I need to look something up to provide info during the meeting and that's easier to do if I'm also not on camera. I've never had an issue with people giving me feedback during, before, or after a meeting, maybe because we have a certain level of mutual trust and respect.

  45. Stephanie Young

    I know it's not popular, and I wouldn't mandate it, but cameras are both a communication tool and a credibility tool. I don't expect people to be in suits, but people communicate more effectively and are more engaged when they're looking at each other. It's the difference between radio and TV, really.

  46. Kel

    As a "leader", I prefer coach, I read through these comments first and for some reason---maybe the holiday season, I couldn't help but think of the movie "Scrooge." Words like 'make' or 'have to' , 'mandatory" are IMHO cringeworthy. I'm an adult, they are adults. As long as they get the point and their their work, it does not matter. And let's face it; you know if they are off washing dishes or watching TV because they won't have the needed information. If you have an engaging or important meeting, they'll speak up anyway. And another issue is: mandatory check in zoom meetings! Again, this is some teenage antic. In all sincerity, if you don't trust the people you've hired, then maybe you shouldn't be a leader because YOU chose the wrong people OR perhaps you shouldn't be in a managerial role. It should not be about YOUR ego--"They'll do what I say because I say so." Treat your team like adults and with respect. You may just be pleasantly surprised at what happens instead of being a "Scrooge."

  47. Paula Manczuk-Hannay

    What is a “check in” Zoom meeting?

  48. Liz Milne

    This is a hard one!

    As a supervisor, you need to know that your employees are ready for work - cameras off would make me wonder about people trying to work from bed or in their pyjamas - not that either of those things are a problem if the work is does, it's just that psychologically people work better/ more productively if they're dressed for it!

    So as a supervisor I would expect cameras to be on, as a person I would resent being told I *have to* have my camera on, I would prefer that to be something they trusted me to do when appropriate - like, on when I'm talking or need to be seen, off when I'm just attending a meeting to gather info?

    I really dislike the apparent way that people have to be told to do things, or it has to be law, instead of them taking the decision to do the right thing without pressure. I'm sure if we trust people to do the right thing, they will, more often than not...

    I don't know...

  49. Heather (she/her)

    If you can't trust that your team is working or engaging in the meeting even if you can't physically see them, you may need to consider that there is a culture issue more than anything else. Your team are, presumably, adults and professionals and should be treated with the respect of being able to make this choice without judgement.

  50. Liz Milne

    In the usual way yes - but there are people who, even in person, stop working the instant their manager steps out of the office: those people probably need a 'cameras-on' mandate to help them self-discipline enough to focus on the meeting. If everyone was conscientious and got stuck in without needing supervision, absolutely, let them work and leave them alone. But new hires should be monitored until you know you can have that level of confidence in them. Written policies and laws etc can't possibly legislate for every human quirk...

    Also spotted I've got 'does' instead of 'done' in my original post, oh, for an edit button!

  51. Heather (she/her)

    You've said there are people who do this in office as well, which is definitely true. In my experience, a camera mandate won't stop people from not working if they're determined not to work. If the job is getting done, I don't need to prove they're working. If it's not, I have plenty to talk to them about beyond a camera being on. I think my point is that managers aren't babysitters. If someone isn't working as they should, that will show without having to monitor them on camera.

  52. Liz Milne

    Sure, if they're not going to work they're not going to work anywhere, but I'm not sure I made my point clearly: I was referencing the borderline cases - those who DO work when boss's eye is on them, but goof around when not. If they're on camera, they will work better than when not on camera - if supervisors know they've got a couple of those employees in their pool, they might make everyone have cameras on?

  53. Heather (she/her)

    Ah, I see what you mean. Yeah, I do think requiring cameras on would help with people who need to be kept on task. As a manager though, I'd be trying to find ways to guide those people off of the team. That being said, I'm a pretty hands-off manager for the most part, so I think I just prefer not having to watch people so closely.

  54. Lomaxruiter@yahoo.com

    Depends on the size of the meeting. If it’s under 10 people, cameras on is preferred. I have been known to say, “Welcome Jane, we can hear your voice. Will we get to see your smile?” For larger meetings video optional or only for speakers is preferred to preserve bandwidth and avoid folks losing connection.

  55. Carolina L

    I always have my camera on, I like when others have it too specially in one o one meetings, but I don’t mandate it.

  56. Celena Barton

    It's also very cultural. My company is based in India and they very rarely turn cameras on. I don’t think it’s a big deal at all to have cameras off.

  57. Anonymous

    My personal take is everyone is an adult and Zoom has replaced in person meetings but also lots of phone calls. If I don’t trust you to do your work regardless of whether I can see you why would I give you a job in the first place?

    It’s also come up in our diversity consulting recently- you don’t know what people’s deal is at home and they may not want you to. For example, my kids run in and out of the room sometimes, which in my situation is fine but for another mother might be a reason (whether consciously or not) that she's passed over for a promotion.

  58. Clydene Horrigan

    I recently became the manager of a team where everyone has worked at the company for decades. They all know each other well and raised their kids together. Over time they all moved away and have been working remotely for years.

    When I moved to the teamI I asked their preferred method of communication and video preferences- amongst other things. Each said they don’t want to use video, so I honor their preferences. They are very good at what they do, so while I like video, why would I mess with that and make them uncomfortable?

  59. Anonymous

    I think it should be a personal choice. I am not a manager. I am very self-conscious about my appearance with the COVID-19 pounds I have gained and the camera adds another 20.

  60. Susan Robles

    I will read the other comments but I think video on at the start. Visual humans get so much from cues like eyes, hands, sitting up straighter and other non verbals. Yes I have my covid pounds. And they are there camera or not.

  61. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    Why, specifically, do you think it's rude? Before covid, I used to call into a conference call line for meetings all the time - no video. They were not less than professional in any way.

  62. Sue Moore

    She finds it rude because she knows that there are times when people aren't focused on the meeting and are doing other things - reading or net surfing being two things mentioned. I do it myself: if my camera is off, I'm working on other projects and not concentrating on the meeting - typically just hearing what's going on in the background. If it's just a couple of people, I have the camera on, but if there are 30 or so participants (very common in my workplace), I'm not concentrating because I'm not likely to contribute to the meeting regardless.

  63. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    Not for nothing but you're looking right at your screen when the camera is on. You can web surf with the camera on.

    And what you described is you being rude, not having the camera turned off that's rude.

  64. Sophia Kelly

    I go with what the people involved want, but my preference is to see faces as I get more information about whether people are following and understanding in things like training. I take the point of people not wanting folks to see their homes. Blurring the background in video is always an option, and maybe encouraging using a fake background ( a company one could be supplied) might be a good solution.

  65. Eloisa Jacinto

    I usually defer to what the team prefers. If video-off better helps them focus on the meeting than how they look on Zoom then so be it. Besides, in where I live video-mandatory will not work because of how bad the connection is in many parts of the country.

  66. Candy Ren

    I prefer to be video-mandatory and it could help every participant focus on and get the most out of the meeting.

  67. jengallardo

    It depends on the situation as to what I prefer but I never mandate that anyone on my team must have their video on. I prefer video on for team meetings and 1 on 1 meetings but I’m flexible given what everyone is going through. Also, having worked with distributed teams of very successful people I know that camera on vs off likely makes very little difference in the ability to get the work done. However, I do coach folks on my team to think about what they want to get out of their meetings and if being off video would hurt their chances of achieving their objective, they may want to re-think that.

  68. Laura Ann Klein

    We do not conduct our meetings with videos on and I wish we did but it's simply not the culture at my company.

  69. Heather (she/her)

    Always optional. Making videos mandatory ignores the needs and abilities of people on your team, including people who are neurodivergent.

  70. Heather (she/her)

    Some info to support:
    https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/24/tech/webcams-workplace-meetings/index.html

    https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/why-smart-bosses-let-employees-turn-off-their-cameras-during-zoom-ms-teams-meetings.html

    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210830092203.htm

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/why-forcing-people-to-turn-on-their-zoom-cameras-isnt-inclusive-110251431.html

  71. Angie

    Good articles! Thanks for sharing.

  72. Hilary Oborghayujie

    If you have a team, in the initial stage of the project, is to identify and define all the technology to be use during meeting schedules. In the meeting that be initially hold, you defined project communication management, how you will plan your communication, manager communication, monitor and control communication strategy plans. You will also need to identify the key stakeholders to be kept informed all through the project life cycle. Once you have achieved such planned, your team are aware we are in pandemic moments, so you will need to inquiry from them the best method for communication, if some of the team members are not collocated team. You do not chose zoom as your best communication method, you most understand your team location and preference.

    I recently managed seven team members on a project recently, we have to come up with a sustainable idea of united nation sustainable goals, the idea was waste and energy supply chain management. All the team members were dispense, different location and time zone. This was a challenged during the initial stage of our meeting, we have to first identified each member time zone. This enabled the team to agreed on a suitable scheduled that was fitted for all. So you can see what I mean, because you are the supervisor or team lead you can't simply imposed communication technology on the team. Things does not work in that way. Communication technology is driven by the team members time zoom, location and preference.

    That is my submission on this.

    Thank you.

  73. Sue Searcy

    When my team started to work remotely, video was totally optional in meetings. The team worked well together and what difference should it make, anyway?

    As the months went on, we started to notice something. Those team members who already had a tendency to avoid participation kept their videos off and contributed less and less to the conversation. We were starting to become two teams, those who kept their videos on and contributed to the meeting and those who were dark and silent. After 18 months, we decided that video would be mandatory for team meetings and it has definitely improved the dynamic.

    As a supervisor, I understand that you are working from home and I don't really care if your hair looks good or your clothes are casual. I really don't care what your place looks like and you can use a background to hide the mess if you need to. I do care that you are contributing to the discussion--that's why you've been included in the meeting to begin with.

    One more thing I'll note--when I'm leading a discussion, it's important that I'm able to read the room. Are folks understanding the topic? Are they interested? Do they disagree? It's really hard to tell if I'm staring at black boxes.

    If we are meeting in person, I can see you. Why should it be different in a virtual meeting?

  74. Heather (she/her)

    Why should it be different in a virtual meeting? Because it IS different. The world is different. Working from home isn't the same as working in an office. And we have options now that we've proven work. If you can't trust your team to speak up if they have questions, to feel safe sharing disagreement, to profess interest, etc then you have a serious culture problem.

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