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On. I'm a Director-level at my company, and there are engineers that work for me, and I have no idea what they look like. All I've ever seen are their initials

On. I'm a Director-level at my company, and there are engineers that work for me, and I have no idea what they look like. All I've ever seen are their initials on the Zoom call. This drives me nuts. I've noticed that leadership tend to have cameras on and non-leadership tends to have cameras off. I don't know what the mindset different is there, but it kinda sucks for someone like me. I often assume that people with the camera off aren't paying attention, and that's probably not something that you want others to think of you. I do think that visually seeing people can create a stronger sense of connection than with just voice. Also, as a hearing-impaired person, reading lips really helps, and if I can't see your lips, my understanding of what you're saying is impaired. So, I guess... consider turning your camera on.

kradeelav 5y ago
Low-level manager here and also hearing-impaired, my reasons definitely echo yours.
BossingAround 5y ago
I clean while you talk. I will join with my phone, put my phone in my pocket, and start vacuuming while listening to you. Sorry, but the face on my SO when they come to the room to realize I've cleaned and me doing it while being on a meeting (which makes the meeting much more pleasant) is way more important than you being able to associate my face to my initials. Look up my photo in the company systems if you're so inclined.
- mindslight 5y ago
  Hey now, you know it's not kind to trigger their managerial class anxiety like that. You know one of their biggest fears is that people might not be hanging on every individually-revealed line of their carefully crafted presentations. It's especially cruel to rub it in with something so banal as vacuuming. I hope you're proud of what you've done as we all have to suffer through another round of articles about the undefinable importance of returning to the office.
asdfsd234234444 5y ago
I'm usually not even at my desk with these calls. I'll be doing stuff around the house, with my mic on mute.

kradeelav 5y ago

Low-level manager here and also hearing-impaired, my reasons definitely echo yours.

BossingAround 5y ago

I clean while you talk. I will join with my phone, put my phone in my pocket, and start vacuuming while listening to you. Sorry, but the face on my SO when they come to the room to realize I've cleaned and me doing it while being on a meeting (which makes the meeting much more pleasant) is way more important than you being able to associate my face to my initials. Look up my photo in the company systems if you're so inclined.

mindslight 5y ago
Hey now, you know it's not kind to trigger their managerial class anxiety like that. You know one of their biggest fears is that people might not be hanging on every individually-revealed line of their carefully crafted presentations. It's especially cruel to rub it in with something so banal as vacuuming. I hope you're proud of what you've done as we all have to suffer through another round of articles about the undefinable importance of returning to the office.

asdfsd234234444 5y ago

I'm usually not even at my desk with these calls. I'll be doing stuff around the house, with my mic on mute.