The True Cost of an Always-On Camera Meeting Culture

Many teams expect cameras on in every video meeting, assuming it means more engagement. Research suggests it often has the opposite effect, and the costs fall unevenly.

What the research found

A 2021 study by Kristen Shockley and colleagues, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, followed employees over four weeks and switched camera use on and off. Having cameras on was linked to more fatigue that day, and fatigued employees spoke up and engaged less in meetings. The effect was stronger for women and for newer employees.

Why cameras are tiring

• Self-presentation: feeling watched and managing how you look all the time.
• Self-view: seeing your own face constantly.
• Staying still within the frame.
• Close-up eye contact from many faces at once.

The hidden costs

• Less participation, which defeats the point of turning cameras on.
• Fairness: people who are new, junior, or who feel more scrutiny on appearance carry more of the burden.
• Privacy: cameras show homes, family members and living situations people may not want to share.
• Accessibility: some people with disabilities, chronic illness or anxiety find cameras particularly draining.
• Bandwidth: video can cause dropped audio on weaker connections.

When cameras help

• First meetings and relationship building.
• Small discussions where reading reactions matters.
• Sensitive conversations, such as feedback.
• Interviews.

A sensible camera policy

1. Camera-optional by default for routine meetings.
2. Cameras encouraged for specific meeting types, stated in the invite.
3. Leaders model it by turning cameras off sometimes.
4. No judgment for cameras off.
5. Self-view off as a recommended setting.

Practical tips for camera-on meetings

• Hide self-view once you've checked your framing.
• Use a background blur or plain wall if you'd rather not show your home.
• Put the camera at eye level and sit back a little, so faces aren't so close.
• Agree that people can switch cameras off partway through long meetings.

Measure engagement differently

Judge engagement by contributions, decisions and follow-through, not visible faces. Use chat, reactions and structured turn-taking to involve people.

Fewer, shorter meetings help most

Camera policy matters less if there are fewer calls. Meeting Cost Calculator shows what each meeting costs. See video call fatigue and productive remote meetings.