Mandatory webcam on calls/meetings. I get that it works for team building when half the developers are at home at any given time, but it exhausts me in meetings.
You sit there with nothing to say/do while you listen, constantly having to look forward and pay attention. Then your jaw starts to feel tense, but you can’t just open your mouth or move around too much.
Total torture for 60+ minute meetings. In my previous company we had the webcams always off, so I could relax or if it was only talking with no presentation even sit on my couch away from the PC.
What I always do is make sure I have something to fidget with off-screen. Either a little puzzle you can solve without looking or some activity I’ve done a hundred times before. I’ve spend quite a few online meetings doing my nails :)
I’m not sure how much of this pressure is from your company or self-driven, but I always keep my webcam on and I don’t give a shit about sitting straight or looking attentive or whatever. Half the time I’m fucking around with stuff in the background. Nobody has ever said anything about it.
Mandatory webcam on calls/meetings. I get that it works for team building when half the developers are at home at any given time, but it exhausts me in meetings.
You sit there with nothing to say/do while you listen, constantly having to look forward and pay attention. Then your jaw starts to feel tense, but you can’t just open your mouth or move around too much.
Total torture for 60+ minute meetings. In my previous company we had the webcams always off, so I could relax or if it was only talking with no presentation even sit on my couch away from the PC.
why can’t you get comfy infront of the camera? Do they not allow you to join from a couch, and just record yourself?
What I always do is make sure I have something to fidget with off-screen. Either a little puzzle you can solve without looking or some activity I’ve done a hundred times before. I’ve spend quite a few online meetings doing my nails :)
Set up a small lock pick station just out of sight of the camera and then pick locks by physical feedback :)
I’m not sure how much of this pressure is from your company or self-driven, but I always keep my webcam on and I don’t give a shit about sitting straight or looking attentive or whatever. Half the time I’m fucking around with stuff in the background. Nobody has ever said anything about it.
Agreed. I also frequently turn mine off for a minute or two to grab tea or snacks or whatever. Nobody’s ever said anything. It’s on ~90% of the time.