Dear Mike:
What is the proper etiquette for keeping your camera on during virtual meetings?
I was recently in a meeting where about half the people had their cameras on and half had them off. No one said anything about it, but it made me wonder what the expectation should be. I understand that there may be times when someone has a good reason to turn their camera off, and I also know that some meetings may not require everyone to be on screen.
At the same time, when people keep their cameras off in meetings where others are trying to lead a discussion, it can feel disengaged or even a little disrespectful. Should cameras generally be on unless the host says otherwise, or is it acceptable for each participant to decide for themselves?
Thanks,
Lucy
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Hi Lucy,
I think cameras should generally be on unless the meeting host has granted flexibility or there is a legitimate reason for an exception.
That may sound simple, but it matters.
A virtual meeting is still a meeting. People are giving their time, attention, preparation, and energy. When someone joins with the camera off by default, especially in a smaller or interactive meeting, it can send the wrong message. Maybe they are fully engaged. Maybe they are taking notes. Maybe they have a perfectly valid reason. But the people on the other side of the screen do not know that. What they often see is a blank box, initials, and silence.
That can feel impolite.
In an in-person meeting, we would not sit behind a screen, hide in the hallway, or turn our chair away from the table while claiming to be fully present. We would show up, make eye contact, read the room, and participate. Virtual meetings are different in format, but the expectations of courtesy and presence should not disappear.
This is especially true when the meeting is interactive.
If the purpose is discussion, decision-making, collaboration, coaching, problem-solving, or relationship-building, being visible helps. It allows the meeting leader to read reactions, see whether people are confused or aligned, and create a more human conversation. It also shows respect for the person who organized the meeting and for the colleagues who are participating.
Leading a virtual meeting full of blank screens is difficult. It can feel like speaking into a void. The presenter cannot easily tell whether people are following, distracted, frustrated, or checked out. If we expect meeting hosts to be prepared, organized, and respectful of everyone’s time, participants also have a responsibility to show up professionally.
That said, this does not need to become rigid or punitive.
There are valid reasons someone may need to turn off their camera. They may have a bandwidth issue, a health concern, a caregiving interruption, a temporary distraction, or another personal circumstance. There are also meetings where cameras may not be necessary, such as large informational updates, webinars, or sessions where people are primarily listening.
But those should be exceptions or host-defined expectations, not the default behavior of every participant.
The host sets the tone. If the host says cameras are optional, then camera-off participation is fine. If the host says cameras should be on, then participants should honor that unless they have a specific reason not to. That is not micromanagement. That is basic meeting etiquette.
For employees, my advice is straightforward: default to camera on. If you need to turn it off, communicate briefly and professionally. You do not need to overexplain. Something as simple as, “I need to go camera off for a few minutes, but I’m here and following,” is enough.
That small courtesy prevents others from assuming you are disengaged.
For leaders, be clear at the beginning of the meeting. Say, “For this discussion, please keep cameras on unless you need an exception,” or, “This is an informational meeting, so cameras are optional.” Clarity removes confusion and helps people understand the expectation before resentment builds.
The broader point is that professionalism is not only about the work we produce. It is also about how we show up for one another. In remote and hybrid environments, we have fewer natural signals of attention and respect. A camera being on says, “I am here. I am present. I respect this conversation.”
So yes, I believe cameras should generally be on unless the host says otherwise. Convenience should not automatically override courtesy.
The standard is simple: when you are invited to participate, show up visibly, respectfully, and professionally.
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TNCR Community – what advice would you add to this thread? Do you have a perspective that you can share? Have a career question for Mike? Email him directly at mike.burgett@burgateglobal.com
