Stunning stat: 92% of executives at medium to large businesses think team members who turn cameras off during meetings don’t have long-term futures at the company, according to a new survey from Vyopta, a software company. Why it matters: The data adds grist to the worry that hybrid and remote employees have expressed about the post-pandemic world — that those who choose to work from home some, most or all the time will be out-of-sight, out-of-mind for bosses. - In a separate finding from Vyopta, 93% of execs said that people who frequently turn off their cameras probably aren’t paying attention.
- Those employees are perceived as less engaged with their work overall.
The big picture: Most companies around the world are moving to a hybrid working model, which means more video meetings in the future. - But the casual, camera-off and microphone-muted way of taking a meeting might be harming employees’ career prospects.
Context: There are a slew of reasons people hide their faces during video meetings. - We’re dealing with “Zoom fatigue.” It’s tiring to stare at a screen and look at yourself all day, critiquing your appearance in real time.
- We’re working at home, which means family members or roommates may be around. We may have to care for children or elderly parents during a call — or we may not feel comfortable showing our bedroom or a messy kitchen.
- Our schedules are flexible, so we might be joining a meeting in our comfies or after a workout.
Between the lines: While workers may turn off their cameras at their own peril, it’s a two-way street: Executives and managers need to adapt to an evolving workforce need, particularly with the “great resignation” as a backdrop. Just like forcing people to come into the office may push team members to quit, mandating “camera on” could do the same. | 
