<Remote culture> is hard, right? I was wondering, ...

# random

[pablisco]

Remote culture is hard, right? I was wondering, what policy do you and your company have regarding cameras on meetings? 🙂

[darkmoon_uk]

Good question. I think it's hard to make cameras on an 'official' policy, but personally I do find cameras on improves the remote work experience a lot. There's a slightly intangible human factor to it: Perhaps just processing faces has some physiological effect in the brain? ...but somehow seeing your workmates does improve outcomes IMO. I usually turn mine on and have gently encouraged others to before.

[ribesg]

I prefer science over feelings https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-77825-003

Camera OFF should be a policy

[ribesg]

Basically if you’re here to be efficient and productive, then camera off. If you’re here to socialize, then camera on. I would go for something like camera off in all meetings but team building stuff, if any.

[pablisco]

One important factor for me is the size of the meeting. Which probably aligns with that study too… That would be an interesting follow up 👀

[pablisco]

Also, careful with the science of Psychology 😅 May want to take them with a pinch of salt. We are a very complex system
https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2015.18248

[pablisco]

It’s also a cultural thing. In Spain, since childhood, we are conditioned to eat with out hands on the table. I think there is links with trust and showing what you are doing with your hands.
With cameras off, if can sometimes feel a bit weird or even rude, as it’s not obvious what the other person is doing. 😱

[pablisco]

PS: for fatigue, one solution can be to switch to spotlight mode on Meet, so you can only see the person that is talking 🙂

[ribesg]

it’s not obvious what the other person is doing

I’m not sure why you would care about that