Have you had or witnessed an embarrassing moment while on professional video calls working from home?
Well, you’re not alone, according to a new survey that shows almost one-quarter (23%) of Australians report seeing their colleagues, or being caught out themselves, doing some questionable things on camera.
The survey, taken from 1,000 Australian employees working from home, showed incidents including:
- A colleague’s wife interrupting while asking for help to open a pickle jar;
- An employee’s elderly father walking in the background in his underpants;
- Nose picking while the suspect thought their camera was off.
Survey commissioner Money.com.au spokesperson, Helen Baker, said these bloopers may be something to get used to with the changing work environment.
“The process of transitioning the ‘office’ online and into our own homes has led to some new, and rather hilarious, office faux pas,” she said.
“Already, this is increasing acceptance of more informal ways of presenting in meetings in many organisations: it’s becoming okay, for instance, for kids to sit on their parent’s lap during a video meeting, or for colleagues to be in their loungewear.”
While the mishaps may cause a red face, the survey also found 56% of respondents reporting video meetings had helped them get to know their colleagues better.
“I believe the past few months have proved to many of us just how powerful and productive video teleconferencing technologies can be for enabling collaborative work, and making employees feel connected to their colleagues, teams and managers, particularly in this current climate,” Ms Baker said.
“As workers become increasingly dispersed, especially if remote working becomes the norm, video meeting platforms that keep everyone connected and engaged are more crucial than ever.”
Survey results showed 26% of males had made or observed embarrassing moments over video, compared to just 21% of women.
Other survey responses included an employee being on mute for the entire call (even when talking), an employee receiving his Uber Eats order during his presentation to 60 staff, and even employees breaking wind while thinking they were on mute.
So remember, if you’re on a video work call, act like somebody is watching you at all times … because they probably are.
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