DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a manager of a small remote team. One of my new team members calls into meetings from her bedroom, with a large framed photo of herself prominently displayed in the background.
I have a concern about this and am unsure of how to proceed.
On one hand, I understand that team members are in their own private spaces on video calls and don’t need to follow certain norms. I don’t want to create an environment where everyone has to censor their home decorations in some way.
At the same time, the photo in question is quite personal and revealing, and it does have an effect on the environment of the meeting. I feel uncomfortable about it and am concerned about what it conveys to the rest of the team, especially as it comes from a position of power within the team.
What is the best way to approach this?
Hide the Photo
DEAR HIDE THE PHOTO: As manager, you should schedule a private meeting with this new team member and directly address the issue.
Point out that you noticed the photo behind her during your work calls, and advise her to select another area of her home to stage her calls, remove the photograph, blur the background or use a virtual background as an option. Tell her that you think her personal photo is not appropriate, and it’s important for everyone on the team to have a professional presentation during calls.
If your company has a branded virtual background, you can offer her that as an option as you also offer it to the whole team. In fact, you can recommend to the whole team that they use the branded background for meetings so everyone is uniform even though you work remotely.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m feeling both excited and a tad bit nervous as I have just moved into my own place for the first time.
As I’m working remotely, I don’t have a regular routine outside of the one day on weekends when I have an in-person commitment. I’m feeling uncomfortable that I might be isolating myself too much. I’m used to living with others and sharing space with them, and now I’m worried I’m making too much of an effort to be alone.
Do you have any advice on how to stay social while I’m all alone?
On My Own
DEAR ON MY OWN: You have to give yourself time to acclimate to living alone. It is very different from sharing space with others, and it takes time for it to become the new norm. Add to that the new remote workspace, and it’s understandable that you feel isolated.
Consider becoming a member of a co-working space. Look around to see if there is one in your area where you can go to work in the company of other professionals, even though you aren’t working with them.
You can also look around to see what extracurricular activities are nearby. Maybe you can join the local museum or take an art class. Is there a theater in your area? What do people do socially there? Look around in your neighborhood to see, and also look online for local attractions. You need to put yourself out there so that you can discover what is available to you.
It’s easy to become a hermit. Don’t do it. Go out daily and explore. That’s how you will find your niche.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions [email protected] or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
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