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> For remote work we require video interviews and cameras on during meetings. I can understand interviews, but once a person is part of the team and team membe

> For remote work we require video interviews and cameras on during meetings. I can understand interviews, but once a person is part of the team and team members have met with him often enough (with the camera on) to recognize his voice, what is the point of having the camera on? > I know some people don't like this, but it improves communication and team cohesion in a noticeable way. This is one of those things for which there is no True Method. Yes, a lot of people have better team dynamics with the camera on. And yes, a lot of people have worse team dynamics with it on. Mandating one way or the other is suboptimal.

wyager 4y ago
> what is the point of having the camera on Human social interaction is deeply dependent on facial communication.
- SantalBlush 4y ago
  I don't know, there was a time when an enormous amount of human social interaction took place over the phone. Even when doing business.
- BeetleB 4y ago
  > Human social interaction is deeply dependent on facial communication. It's a broad statement, and not clear how applicable it is for work purposes and for which category of work. Also, while it has its positives, it also as clearly has its negatives. Most miscommunication is due to misreading of visual cues. I can say it certainly is nice to be able to talk to people and not have them register any frown I may have, when the frown is unrelated to them. Not having to modulate my facial expressions frees up my brain to focus on the content of the meeting. In my experience, people who seem to need facial communication do exist[1], but it's not a universal thing and likely not the majority. It's annoying when instead of phrasing it as an accommodation they would like to have, they try to make objective sounding statements to support their preference. [1] I'm guessing that set has a strong intersection with the set of people who used to insist that they be able to travel pre-COVID to meet other team members as "in-person interactions are more effective". They certainly are - for them.
stevage 4y ago
Have things changed that much? I have worked in quite a few teams where remote meetings were a thing and never come across anyone who regularly had video off. The only exception is one on one work meetings, like pairing, where both of you are going to be looking at code or something and the video serves no purpose.
- BeetleB 4y ago
  > Have things changed that much? Funny question, as it should be asked the other way round. People have been having remote audio only meetings for quite long - videoconferencing was very costly until recently. In my company, it's a rare exception that people turn the camera on during meetings. When COVID hit and everyone switched to remote, I can't think of a single person in any of the meetings I've attended (including 1:1) who wanted the camera on - with the exception of introductions when people were new to the team. It's not at all surprising as prior to COVID we had meetings with people located in other offices all the time (as well as some remote workers) - it was almost always audio only.
heywot 4y ago
In my experience I think it helps a ton with non-verbal communication. I would never demand someone have their camera on apart from interviews/important conversations. But I can visibly see if someone is confused/engaged/understanding if I can physically see them and I think there's something too that.

wyager 4y ago

> what is the point of having the camera on Human social interaction is deeply dependent on facial communication.

SantalBlush 4y ago
I don't know, there was a time when an enormous amount of human social interaction took place over the phone. Even when doing business.
BeetleB 4y ago
> Human social interaction is deeply dependent on facial communication. It's a broad statement, and not clear how applicable it is for work purposes and for which category of work. Also, while it has its positives, it also as clearly has its negatives. Most miscommunication is due to misreading of visual cues. I can say it certainly is nice to be able to talk to people and not have them register any frown I may have, when the frown is unrelated to them. Not having to modulate my facial expressions frees up my brain to focus on the content of the meeting. In my experience, people who seem to need facial communication do exist[1], but it's not a universal thing and likely not the majority. It's annoying when instead of phrasing it as an accommodation they would like to have, they try to make objective sounding statements to support their preference. [1] I'm guessing that set has a strong intersection with the set of people who used to insist that they be able to travel pre-COVID to meet other team members as "in-person interactions are more effective". They certainly are - for them.

stevage 4y ago

Have things changed that much? I have worked in quite a few teams where remote meetings were a thing and never come across anyone who regularly had video off. The only exception is one on one work meetings, like pairing, where both of you are going to be looking at code or something and the video serves no purpose.

BeetleB 4y ago
> Have things changed that much? Funny question, as it should be asked the other way round. People have been having remote audio only meetings for quite long - videoconferencing was very costly until recently. In my company, it's a rare exception that people turn the camera on during meetings. When COVID hit and everyone switched to remote, I can't think of a single person in any of the meetings I've attended (including 1:1) who wanted the camera on - with the exception of introductions when people were new to the team. It's not at all surprising as prior to COVID we had meetings with people located in other offices all the time (as well as some remote workers) - it was almost always audio only.

heywot 4y ago

In my experience I think it helps a ton with non-verbal communication. I would never demand someone have their camera on apart from interviews/important conversations. But I can visibly see if someone is confused/engaged/understanding if I can physically see them and I think there's something too that.