Remote and hybrid working have changed meeting practices. In many workplaces, the use of cameras is encouraged as it facilitates interaction and participation. However, not all employees feel comfortable in front of a camera, and the home working environment may not necessarily be suitable for video calls.
Can an employer require employees to have their cameras switched on?
An employer has the right to manage and supervise work. The use of a camera may, for example, be recommended or, in certain situations, reasonably required if it relates to the performance of work, collaboration or customer interactions.
– However, the employer’s right is not unlimited. The continuous use of a camera is not automatically part of an employee’s duties, nor can an employee’s home be regarded as a workspace under the employer’s control in the same way as an office, says Jonna Riiali, a lawyer at Pro's.
Privacy matters
Privacy considerations may also influence the use of a camera. Not everyone has a separate home office, and switching on the camera may reveal their home or family members to other participants.
– Employers should assess on a case-by-case basis whether the use of a camera is truly necessary or whether the meeting’s objectives can be achieved without it. In the workplace, consideration must be given to both the smooth running of work and the protection of employees’ privacy, Riiali notes.
What if you don't want to use your camera?
If using the camera feels problematic, it is worth discussing the matter with your manager. There may be underlying reasons relating, for example, to privacy, workspace, health or wellbeing at work.
– Often, practices can be agreed upon collectively in the workplace. For example, in team meetings, using the camera may be optional, whilst in client meetings its use may be considered more justified, says Riiali.
Shared ground rules make things easier
Clear policies reduce confusion and unnecessary conflicts. It is advisable to agree collectively at the workplace when the use of a camera is expected and when it is optional.
– In principle, an employer can issue guidelines on participating in remote meetings, but any policies regarding the use of cameras must take into account the employee’s privacy, the nature of the work and the principle of reasonableness. That is why there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question – the solution is often found through discussion and by agreeing on common rules, says Riiali.