You log into another video call – a few cheerful waves, polite smiles, and one black square with your CFO’s initials floating in grey silence. You wonder whether to ask, “Would you mind turning your camera on?” It seems harmless enough, after all, seeing faces feels more human. But in today’s hybrid world, does camera-on really equal engagement?
When it helps – and when not
HCA Mag reports that new research from Stanford University economist Nicholas Bloom and his colleagues, Jose Maria Barrero and Steven Davis, as part of the Work-from-Home Research programme, suggests that video use is less about etiquette and more about purpose.
Their 2023 report, Camera Use During Video Calls, found that employees who use cameras selectively, switching them on for collaborative or relationship-heavy meetings and off for routine updates, report higher engagement, clearer communication, and fewer misunderstandings.
Managers, on the other hand, are more likely to perceive camera-on workers as attentive and accountable. In small groups, facial cues and body language help conversations flow and restore some of the connection lost in remote settings. But the benefits fade fast during back-to-back meetings. Prolonged visibility can lead to exhaustion.
“Camera use works best when it has purpose,” Bloom’s team noted. “Prolonged use without breaks reduces focus and energy.”
Why these video meetings are draining us
Australians, like employees everywhere, know the particular fatigue that follows a day on Zoom or Teams. Stanford researchers call it “non-verbal overload” — the mental strain caused by constant eye contact, seeing your own reflection for hours, and the unnatural closeness of colleagues’ faces on screen.
A Journal of Applied Psychology study found that simply having the camera on – more than the number of meetings – predicted end-of-day fatigue. The effect was strongest among women and newer employees, who often feel added pressure to appear alert, engaged, and polished. That “impression management” consumes valuable mental energy that could otherwise go toward actual work.
This doesn’t mean video should vanish. Like caffeine, it’s powerful in moderation, energising when used strategically, but draining when constant.
The Australian Lens: culture, privacy, and trust
Roughly a quarter of workdays in advanced economies are now done remotely, according to the Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes. In Australia, that figure has remained stable since mid-2022.
Yet local work culture adds nuance. Australians value approachability and open communication, but they also resist micromanagement. Continuous video expectations can feel intrusive — especially for those working from shared homes, caring for children, or managing limited space.
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reminds employers that they may only collect personal information that’s “reasonably necessary” for business. Requiring cameras “always on” or recording meetings can push those limits. Transparency matters: explain when and why video is important, and allow flexibility where practical.
In a planning session, client meeting, or sensitive discussion, seeing faces helps build trust and read tone. But for routine updates or data reviews, insisting on video adds little beyond frustration. Worse, it can reinforce hierarchy if leaders demand visibility from others but keep their own cameras off.
The Stanford research suggests that the healthiest teams normalise both modes, turning cameras on when connection counts, off when focus matters, and never equating visibility with commitment.
As the logistical anchors of hybrid work, executive assistants are uniquely placed to shape meeting culture. Consider these five steps:
- Clarify intent: Define when video adds value – coaching, collaboration, or client rapport – and skip it for routine briefings.
- Model balance: If senior leaders occasionally go camera-off, it helps destigmatise the choice for others.
- Design with energy in mind: Keep meetings short, rotate facilitators, and schedule short breaks.
- Focus on contribution: Value engagement, ideas, and outcomes, not face time.
- Respect privacy: Avoid unnecessary recording, explain when you do, and stay mindful of people’s home environments.
Ultimately, the “camera question” is about trust. The impulse to see someone feels natural; it reassures us they’re present. But engagement isn’t limited to what fits inside a video frame. If the conversation’s flowing and the work’s getting done, maybe that’s visibility enough.
