Boss Insists Breast Pumping Mom Turn Camera On For Work Meeting, Creates New Policy

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Eric Lund
May 8, 2022 6:00 PM EDT

Anyone who's had to do any kind of video conference call has probably had to deal with the dilemma of "do I have to turn on my camera." Usually it's simply a matter of not wanting to be seen in your stain-shirt by the CEO, but other times, there's actually a good reason you might not be perfectly fit for public viewing. This employee let her lead know that she might not be fit for camera, and gave a reasonable explanation. But naturally, they didn't want to hear it. What resulted was the whole office getting a peak into her personal life. Lo and behold, a completely new work policy came out of the episode. So hey, workplace culture isn't as impenetrable as one might think.

For another manager who didn't get that some people have legitimate reasons to not show up on camera, here's the firefighter who got dragged into a mandatory work meeting and ended up calling in from an active fire.

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  • 01
    Font - Posted by u/HappyGiraffe 21 hours ago O 4 O 2 8 7 3 13 3 2 Cameras have to be on....NO MATTER WHAT! Fine by me, don't mind the pump oc M I am a project manager and data scientist. I manage lots of different public health related projects. There is one project in particular that includes a really demanding team from a federal government department.
    via HappyGiraffe
  • 02
    Font - I recently returned back to work from maternity leave. I work in my office three days a week; on those days, I have to pump breastmilk at regular intervals for my baby. Luckily, I have my own private office and can usually just keep on working (emails, reports, etc) while I pump. I have a hands- free, wearable pump which is convenient..but still definitely obvious if I am wearing it (it pokes out about my shirt and is not exactly silent).
    via HappyGiraffe
  • 03
    Font - Recently we have a Zoom call scheduled during one of the times I needed to pump. Instead of missing the meeting, I figured I would just keep my camera off so I could wear my pump and still participate and listen. Heck, I was even IN my office and not working from home; I felt like I was being a pretty committed employee! Meeting starts, a few people have their cameras off. The Lead makes the announcement: "I just want to remind everyone that our expectation is that you will have your came
    via HappyGiraffe
  • 04
    Font - I sent a quick private message to explain I was paying attention, but pumping; no response to me, just instead, a, "Again, the expectation is that all cameras will be on." So fine. I turn my camera on for this meeting of about 20 people, The camera isn't aimed at my chest but certainly the top of my pump is CLEARLY visible. I unmuted myself, so you could also clearly HEAR the pump, and just said, "Thank you for your patience, I was adjusting my breast pump." The meeting continued awkwardl
    via HappyGiraffe
  • 05
    Font - Bobrakis · 21 hr. ago this is not a virtual meeting, it is a simulated in person meeting My head hurts trying to figure this out...
    via HappyGiraffe
  • 06
    Rectangle - doc_skinner · 20 hr. ago I work at a university and all of the faculty complain that their students don't turn on their cameras, and then we have a departmental meeting and NONE of those f..kers turn their cameras on.
    via HappyGiraffe
  • 07
    Plant - newaccount-heyy · 19 hr. ago "Please turn on your cameras if you are comfortable doing so." Congrats OP, you did that for everyone.
    via HappyGiraffe

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rules boss manager job malicious compliance meeting policy funny
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