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Boss Asks For Cameras To Be On And Full Engagement During Online Meets, One Worker “Delivers”
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Boss Asks For Cameras To Be On And Full Engagement During Online Meets, One Worker “Delivers”

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It goes without saying that work meetings are a bit of a chore. Maybe not just a bit. Under regular circumstances, many of them are a redundant waste of time and resources. But once the pandemic hit, they also became an extra annoyance with all the cameras on requirements.

Sure, there might be a reason to encourage folks to use their cameras during meetings, but it’s not a one-sided issue and it certainly shouldn’t be an issue at all as long as the employee engages. Right?

Management never learns though. So, malicious compliance time.

More Info: Reddit

Being in a meeting with your camera on is probably a very relatable experience for many following the pandemic

Image credits: Radiofabrik – Community Media Association Salzburg (not the actual photo)

That doesn’t mean people like it, and sometimes you need a bit of malicious compliance to make it stop

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Image credits: u/k1ll3rkitten

Image credits: deldevries (not the actual photo)

A new mom decided to rebel against the cams on policy by just being out of frame all the time. Hey, the cam’s on!

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A new mom who has just returned to work recently visited the r/MaliciousCompliance subreddit with a meeting-themed story.

OP works a remote telemarketing via chat and text job selling windows. But, as you might have guessed by now, she also has a roughly 2-month-old to tend to at all times, including work. Well, work includes very frequent online meetings that could have been emails, but, so be it, she still went through them like a champ. All the while holding her baby in her arms.

Well, all fine and dandy, they don’t need to see that, the cameras are off, right? Well, not any more. Three weeks before the post, OP found out that cameras would now be mandatory during meetings. Management did not care what folks looked like, cams on, that’s the end of that. Oh, and, everyone was expected to engage and participate.

It didn’t help that the manager decided to also comment that being a parent is unprofessional, but I will let your own mind obsess about how this statement is of questionable logic.

So, cams on? If you say so! OP runs her maliciously compliant plan past her coworkers, all’s set, and the show begins. In two weeks, OP has had 21 meetings. In every meeting, she has logged on, turned her camera on, but was never in frame. She was on her office floor. But nothing more than that.

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She did, of course, engage with the meetings, but in an extra mile kind of way where it was too extra. Her approach was to be as obnoxious as possible, derailing the meetings and throwing in everything she could with the amount of engagement, questions, interjections, and corrections she offered to the meeting.

Image credits: Bridget Coila (not the actual photo)

Heck, she even has a routine meeting with the super that she plans to approach in pretty much the same way. All that for as long as it takes for the manager to gain some common sense and back off with the cameras on rule.

“Your demand: cameras on. I listened. Not once did she say we had to be SEEN on said cameras,” concluded OP.

And folks online brought in a round of applause. Immediately, one of the most mischievous comments rose to the top in the comment section, suggesting OP breastfeeds the kid on camera. Yeah, that’ll show Mrs. Manager.

This was followed by people suggesting alternative solutions to the problem. One fella suggested, if OP’s camera is sensitive to this kind of environmental distortion, to angle the camera towards the sun. That might just make her into a silhouette.

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There’s also the option of using camera-altering software like OBS Studio, as suggested by this commenter, where you can simply change the direct camera input into a customized video or visual. The commenter changed to a loop of them sitting in front of a camera. Secretly, they were working.

Then there’s the classic I can’t turn off the cat filter gag, which does require some self-deprecation, but who cares if it gets the job done? The list goes on and on. You can scroll through it here. The Reddit post got a modest 2,200 upvotes.

Image credits: Hector_Only (not the actual photo)

OK, so, what’s the deal with the requirement to keep the camera on during meetings? The Society for Human Resource Management discussed the topic at length and explained that the main reason behind keeping the camera on is face-to-face interactions, even if it’s on the internet, are important in business.

With cameras on, folks can see body language, facial expressions and just plain read the room for contextual communication. There’s also a factor where, if you engage in a discussion, but don’t have your camera on, there is a greater likelihood coworkers might remember your words as those of employees who were visible in the meeting.

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There’s more to be said about that, but there is also a contingent of people who are against it. And rightfully so. Meeting fatigue diminishes an employee’s desire to be on camera. Same goes if folks aren’t feeling all that well, but can still do their work.

It also makes sense to have it off if you’re having lunch in the meeting (sometimes an hour isn’t enough for eating because eating is life) and ain’t nobody interested in your chewing. But by far the most beneficial aspect of not having a camera on is how much more efficient it makes brainstorming—folks who don’t have to worry about what they look like can focus more on generating more and better ideas. No kidding, it’s a thing.

But do you know what else is a thing? The comment section. It’s below. Go brainstorm some ways to avoid being on camera and share it with everyone else!

Folks online thought it was brilliant. So much, in fact, that they offered other ways to do it too

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Robertas Lisickis

Robertas Lisickis

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

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Robertas Lisickis

Robertas Lisickis

Author, BoredPanda staff

Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

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zak
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She sounds terrible, and I'll bet most of her coworkers can't stand her. Deliberately making meetings longer and worse? Seriously? It's not like she has to needlessly get all dressed up in business attire for the on-camera meetings, so I don't see what her problem is. And, yes, it's unprofessional to be taking care of your kid all day while you're supposed to be working. This should not be a shock to anyone.

Ugh_What_Now
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Miss the part where she said she spoke to ALL of her coworkers about it before hand and they're all on board with it?

Load More Replies...
LK
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am really confused as to why this person has a problem with 'cameras on during meetings'. It sounds quite reasonable to me. It sounds like she wants to look after her child at the same time as working. That is not going to be feasible. And as for purposefully dragging out meetings.... Is she going to be employed by this company for much longer?

Ron Baza
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would her colleagues want her to be employed much longer? When they all “gave her the green light” did she add “By the way, I’m going to make all of these meetings unnecessarily dreadful”?

Load More Replies...
J4D3DGL0W
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an a*****e. It is unprofessional to take care of a child at work. Also, you don't need to make meetings longer to get your revenge, just use OBS or something

AliJanx
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just stupid. Why do this? Show yourself in your sweats, with your baby, cat, dog, parakeet in frame, participate professionally. Trust me, being on camera is way the hell better than having to report to an office 5*8.

Denise Melek
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why isn't she glad she can work from home and take care of her kid? And since when do you take your kids to work? She sounds like an entitled pain in the a*s.

Moni Teo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Working while taking care of a 2 month old... that is impossible. She is pretending to work. Cameras on for a meeting is very resonable. People need to understand it's a privilege to work remotely. Huge leap of faith from the employer. She is clearly abusing it.

Ron Baza
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m unclear - why doesn’t the OP want to appear on camera? I’m not asking for why other people think she might not want to, or what they think of the policy. I’m just interested in what her reasoning, because I *think* she doesn’t actually say why here (although I may be wrong).

Erika Amelia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reading between the lines, she wants to be free to take care of her baby during meetings.

Load More Replies...
Al LeFeusch
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I owned my company, my requirements were pretty simple: do good work and complete it on time. That was it. I didn't care of you did it from home, a coffee shop, the office or Rome.

Ron Baza
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“ I also participate/engage in these meetings and derail them so they end up lasting much longer than she intended and she just ends up spinning wheels with my amount of engagement, questions, interjections, corrections, and an overall obnoxious level of engagement.” Sounds like you wouldn’t enjoy working with the OP then, who deliberately makes work less enjoyable and less efficient for everybody else.

Load More Replies...
LH25
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree with those who say she is going to ruin things for everyone. She is being petty and I'd be so ticked off if a co-worker drug out meetings just because she's trying to make some point. It's not unreasonable to be asked to be on camera for meetings, not to engage without being petty.

MiriPanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am all for camera on for, say, weekly set team meetings, and camera on or off at you own decision for shorter or spontaneous meetings.

ginshun
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll take "things that didn't happen" for 500 Alex. If her boss wanted cameras on for meetings, then she would want people to be in frame and seen. if the situation were real, the first thing that would have happened is that the boss would have asked why she wasn't on the screen, and told her that she had to be. This is just made up so the OP can get attention. Sad.

Dre Mosley
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being on camera isn't that big of a deal. At my job, it's required for formal meetings, not such much otherwise. As for dress, most of us are in T shirts and probably barefoot. As long as you're not topless, who cares? She's being petty and difficult. You're either gonna find yourself fired or you're gonna ruin WFH for everyone when management suddenly demands a return to the office.

Annie Steele
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been told to turn mine off, I live in the Mediterranean and have an amazing tan, which my coworkers are jealous of .. lol

Karen Philpott
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What happened to 'paid parental leave'? At least 6 months to a year long? You need that time, away from the bs of meeting after meeting and pressure of work, and the birth itself and unsettled time after bubs is born. Unprofessional, is having to go back to work within 6 months.

I just work here
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You sound like an @ss and your coworkers must hate you for being that person in the meetings..

Ugh_What_Now
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would seem many commenters once again lack reading skills/comprehension. She said 1. The meetings which the supervisor is requesting cameras with are unnecessary ones. (I.E. micromanaging). 2. She checked with all of her coworkers before beginning her stunt. So she's not aggravating any of them. This isn't a case of her not wanting to do her job. This is a case of a middle manager wanting to micromanage. Going so far as to call a new mother *checks notes* "unprofessional" for the the sin of *checks notes again* simply BEING a mother. That's right, just BEING a parent is "unprofessional" in this managers eyes. 21 meetings in 2 weeks? That's MORE than THREE meetings a day... come on people, see bad management for what it is.

Ron Baza
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alternative takes: 1/The OP thinks the meetings are unnecessary. No word on whether she’s suggested this to her boss. 2/If she really is dreadful, then “checking with her co-workers” may actually be “tell her co-workers that she’s going to retaliate and because she’s dreadful they roll their eyes and let her make an a**e of herself”. 3/Dragging out the meetings pointlessly (by her own admission) makes everyone’s life worse. 4/I’d like to know more about this conversation of “Being a parent is unprofessional”. It could well be a garbled retelling of “If you try to parent full-time, and simultaneously do your job full-time, please ensure that you remain professional throughout”.

Load More Replies...
zak
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She sounds terrible, and I'll bet most of her coworkers can't stand her. Deliberately making meetings longer and worse? Seriously? It's not like she has to needlessly get all dressed up in business attire for the on-camera meetings, so I don't see what her problem is. And, yes, it's unprofessional to be taking care of your kid all day while you're supposed to be working. This should not be a shock to anyone.

Ugh_What_Now
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Miss the part where she said she spoke to ALL of her coworkers about it before hand and they're all on board with it?

Load More Replies...
LK
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am really confused as to why this person has a problem with 'cameras on during meetings'. It sounds quite reasonable to me. It sounds like she wants to look after her child at the same time as working. That is not going to be feasible. And as for purposefully dragging out meetings.... Is she going to be employed by this company for much longer?

Ron Baza
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would her colleagues want her to be employed much longer? When they all “gave her the green light” did she add “By the way, I’m going to make all of these meetings unnecessarily dreadful”?

Load More Replies...
J4D3DGL0W
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an a*****e. It is unprofessional to take care of a child at work. Also, you don't need to make meetings longer to get your revenge, just use OBS or something

AliJanx
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just stupid. Why do this? Show yourself in your sweats, with your baby, cat, dog, parakeet in frame, participate professionally. Trust me, being on camera is way the hell better than having to report to an office 5*8.

Denise Melek
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why isn't she glad she can work from home and take care of her kid? And since when do you take your kids to work? She sounds like an entitled pain in the a*s.

Moni Teo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Working while taking care of a 2 month old... that is impossible. She is pretending to work. Cameras on for a meeting is very resonable. People need to understand it's a privilege to work remotely. Huge leap of faith from the employer. She is clearly abusing it.

Ron Baza
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m unclear - why doesn’t the OP want to appear on camera? I’m not asking for why other people think she might not want to, or what they think of the policy. I’m just interested in what her reasoning, because I *think* she doesn’t actually say why here (although I may be wrong).

Erika Amelia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reading between the lines, she wants to be free to take care of her baby during meetings.

Load More Replies...
Al LeFeusch
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I owned my company, my requirements were pretty simple: do good work and complete it on time. That was it. I didn't care of you did it from home, a coffee shop, the office or Rome.

Ron Baza
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“ I also participate/engage in these meetings and derail them so they end up lasting much longer than she intended and she just ends up spinning wheels with my amount of engagement, questions, interjections, corrections, and an overall obnoxious level of engagement.” Sounds like you wouldn’t enjoy working with the OP then, who deliberately makes work less enjoyable and less efficient for everybody else.

Load More Replies...
LH25
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree with those who say she is going to ruin things for everyone. She is being petty and I'd be so ticked off if a co-worker drug out meetings just because she's trying to make some point. It's not unreasonable to be asked to be on camera for meetings, not to engage without being petty.

MiriPanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am all for camera on for, say, weekly set team meetings, and camera on or off at you own decision for shorter or spontaneous meetings.

ginshun
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll take "things that didn't happen" for 500 Alex. If her boss wanted cameras on for meetings, then she would want people to be in frame and seen. if the situation were real, the first thing that would have happened is that the boss would have asked why she wasn't on the screen, and told her that she had to be. This is just made up so the OP can get attention. Sad.

Dre Mosley
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being on camera isn't that big of a deal. At my job, it's required for formal meetings, not such much otherwise. As for dress, most of us are in T shirts and probably barefoot. As long as you're not topless, who cares? She's being petty and difficult. You're either gonna find yourself fired or you're gonna ruin WFH for everyone when management suddenly demands a return to the office.

Annie Steele
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been told to turn mine off, I live in the Mediterranean and have an amazing tan, which my coworkers are jealous of .. lol

Karen Philpott
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What happened to 'paid parental leave'? At least 6 months to a year long? You need that time, away from the bs of meeting after meeting and pressure of work, and the birth itself and unsettled time after bubs is born. Unprofessional, is having to go back to work within 6 months.

I just work here
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You sound like an @ss and your coworkers must hate you for being that person in the meetings..

Ugh_What_Now
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would seem many commenters once again lack reading skills/comprehension. She said 1. The meetings which the supervisor is requesting cameras with are unnecessary ones. (I.E. micromanaging). 2. She checked with all of her coworkers before beginning her stunt. So she's not aggravating any of them. This isn't a case of her not wanting to do her job. This is a case of a middle manager wanting to micromanage. Going so far as to call a new mother *checks notes* "unprofessional" for the the sin of *checks notes again* simply BEING a mother. That's right, just BEING a parent is "unprofessional" in this managers eyes. 21 meetings in 2 weeks? That's MORE than THREE meetings a day... come on people, see bad management for what it is.

Ron Baza
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alternative takes: 1/The OP thinks the meetings are unnecessary. No word on whether she’s suggested this to her boss. 2/If she really is dreadful, then “checking with her co-workers” may actually be “tell her co-workers that she’s going to retaliate and because she’s dreadful they roll their eyes and let her make an a**e of herself”. 3/Dragging out the meetings pointlessly (by her own admission) makes everyone’s life worse. 4/I’d like to know more about this conversation of “Being a parent is unprofessional”. It could well be a garbled retelling of “If you try to parent full-time, and simultaneously do your job full-time, please ensure that you remain professional throughout”.

Load More Replies...
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