‘Cameras on’ policies return to the spotlight — Why now?
It was March 2020. Employees began their remote work journey with virtually no preparation. “You’re on mute!” seemed to be the phrase of the year.
Employees who already worked from home had a leg up on everyone else who was scrambling to figure out the “new normal” (another popular pandemic saying). Suddenly technology and gadgets were needed and expected to be used — like cameras.
Why bring this up now five years later?
There seems to be a resurgence of concern over employees NOT wanting to have their cameras on during meetings. This may, if employers peel back the layers, indicate there’s something else going on with workplace culture. Something deeper, that if not addressed could get pretty stinky.
Cameras on or off isn’t the issue
Often, when an issue bubbles up, it’s not really about the “thing.” It’s about a deeper-rooted grievance, annoyance, frustration, or some other negative emotion. The key is to find out what that is.
When talking about camera usage, for example, employers can start by asking themselves a few questions:
- Has the cameras-on policy been in effect for a while or is it new?
- Is the policy upheld consistently?
- Is it truly a “policy” or is it simply encouraged?
- If it’s a policy, is it in writing and has it been communicated?
- Has an employee’s behavior changed? (camera used to be on and now it’s not)
- What’s the reason for wanting cameras to be on?
What’s the ‘why’ behind a policy?
The answers to these questions just scratch the surface, but will help employers start to understand the disconnect, if there is one.
For some employers, having cameras on during meetings helps them read nonverbal cues and gauge audience reactions. It can be a positive way to improve communications.
For other employers, they might not trust that employees are giving meetings their full attention like they would in person. In that sense, cameras become a form of punishment … a babysitter, of sorts. Employees could perceive that as being treated like a child versus being trusted to get the job done like an adult.
Again, the issue isn’t the cameras, but rather company policies and workplace culture. If an employer has a bunch of meaningless policies that aren’t consistently enforced, it erodes employees’ trust and commitment, which can spiral into retention issues.
If, however, an employer has well-thought-out policies, explains the “why” behind them, and enforces policies the same way for everyone, not only will that help create buy-in, but it will also improve workplace culture. And that’s something all employers should focus on.
Key to remember: Peel back the layers of your “cameras on” policy if you have one. Know the reasons for the policy and how employees may react.