During the COVID-19 pandemic, video calls exploded in volume. While many businesses had previously resorted to regular voice-only conference calls, the pandemic ushered in a new age of cameras-on video calls — and that era appears here to stay. But the trend also raises questions around the intersection of company culture and videoconferencing. These include legal ones, such as whether managers can force employees to go “on camera” during every call. According to at least one lawsuit, companies might want to tread lightly when mandating whether employees should keep their cameras on or not.
Can forcing a cameras-on video call culture backfire?
Although videoconferences have enabled remote teams to get together and collaborate effectively, some managers have found it difficult to set and uphold expectations around certain elements of the video call. Chief among them is if team members should have their cameras on. While many find a cameras-on culture creates a more engaging and productive meeting, many employees are resistant to giving the rest of a team a window into their world — and trying to force them to do so can have big consequences for morale and engagement. So, what’s a manager to do when they want to make the most out of their video meetings?
