Article: Hybrid Meeting Etiquette: How to Master Productive Collaboration

Cameras On or Off?

The debate about cameras on or off during virtual meetings is another aspect of hybrid meeting etiquette that needs to be addressed. Video is a powerful way to maintain a human connection in a virtual meeting, so keeping your camera on when you can is a great way to show you’re engaged in the conversation. Starting a call with a grid of blank screens can feel cold and impersonal, creating the feeling of a one-way communication channel rather than an engaging meeting. Investing in quality video equipment for your team, both in the office and from home, facilitates seamless communication and collaboration, while also making hybrid meetings feel more human.

"Meeting facilitators should prioritise giving remote participants a voice by actively engaging and encouraging their participation. They should also encourage remote participants to turn on their cameras, showing that their presence is recognised and appreciated." — Sean Byrne, Head of Logitech B2B ANZ.

The use of avatars in the hybrid workplace is a newer aspect of hybrid meeting etiquette to be considered. Avatars for Microsoft Teams lets your users connect with presence in Teams without having to turn on their cameras. While avatars can help create a sense of presence and connection in virtual meetings, they can also be distracting. It is important to strike a balance between personal connection and productivity, so introducing a workplace policy on when the use of avatars is appropriate is something to consider. You can control whether avatars for Teams are available in your organisation and who can use them using policies.