Can I really be forced to turn my camera on during video meetings?

Each week, Dr Kirstin Ferguson tackles questions on workplace, career and leadership in her advice column, Got a Minute? This week: cameras on, fist bumps and a contract ending early.

Whether you like it or not, having your camera on helps build team morale.Credit: Dionne Gain

I work in an office with constant deadlines to meet. Each week, bigwigs from head office hold a “town hall” meeting that everyone has to attend online. I usually turn the sound on to listen but keep my camera off so I can continue working to meet my deadlines (I need the screens to do data processing). Recently, I was asked to turn my camera on, effectively stopping my work for the duration of the meeting. Is this a legal requirement?

I can see you want to do the right thing, keep working and meet your deadlines. While it won’t help on the deadline front, attending the town hall is work, too. I reckon turning your camera on for it is a relatively simple request, which you are best to follow. It sounds like your employer has given you the flexibility to work from home, and they also want to ensure everyone is focused on what is being said during the meeting. It is only once a week, which does not seem like an unreasonable request. Having your camera on during online meetings also helps build team morale and culture and prevents people from thinking you are simply not listening at all.

The bigger issue seems to be the deadlines you are being held to. I would speak to your supervisor about this before challenging whether having your camera on is legal. Next town hall, keep your supervisor updated about where you are up to with your work and if the hour or so for the meeting means you are going to miss a deadline, just let them know.

If your deadlines are a broader issue, arrange to speak with your supervisor. Explain why you have been having your camera off and let them know you are keen to find a way to attend meetings without feeling you need to continue to work. I’m sure they will help you find a solution.

My new boss is super keen and feels the need to fist-pump everyone at any chance he gets. If you ask a question as he is walking past, he answers, then finishes with a fist pump. Our one-on-ones end the same way, and I think it is ridiculous. Can I ask my boss to give it a rest?

This would definitely drive me crazy too. As I was watching the Australian Open recently, I noticed the doubles partners all fist pump every point as well – sometimes a few times per point. I guess in sport, it is a way of connecting with and motivating your playing partner, but in an office? Total overkill.

I am sure your boss is well-intentioned, but it is clearly not having the desired effect. If others find it weird, too, maybe you could all start to make a light-hearted joke about the fist pumps and see if he gets the message. It will probably be difficult to change his behaviour without a conversation but if you do speak to him about it, I would go into it with gentle humour and kindness. I suspect your boss has no idea what he is doing is being received in anything but a positive way. Good luck (and sending you a virtual fist pump in solidarity).

I was terminated from a contract position a few weeks before the contract was to finish. Is it mandatory to give notice if a fixed-term contract is ended early?

Since December 2023, there are new rules governing fixed-term contracts. The fixed-term contract needs to terminate at the end on the set date. Employers also need to provide you with what is called a Fixed Term Contract Information Statement with all the information you have to know about your fixed term of employment. It will also set out how to resolve disputes about your contract. Employers also must provide you with a Fair Work Information Statement, which will give you all the information you need about your workplace rights and entitlements, including how your employment might be terminated.

If you signed your contract after December 2023, and you did not receive these documents, or you believe you have had your employment ended before the agreed set date or what was agreed in your contract, be sure to contact Fair Work for further advice on your particular circumstances.

To submit a question about work, careers or leadership, visit kirstinferguson.com/ask. You will not be asked to provide your name or any identifying information. Letters may be edited.

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