Boss Likes Video Chat But I Don't

[Anonymous]

Most of the time, we are in the office together and it's not an issue, but when one of us is on vacation or working from home, he calls me using "face time". I have told him this makes me uncomfortable and sometimes I point the phone at the ceiling when he calls if I'm teleworking in sweats with no make up. Is this my problem or his?

[Anonymous]

He's your boss, so it's your problem.

[Anonymous]

I had this issue with a client. I joked about it and told him it was a male/female thing and he backed off.

[Anonymous]

Unless there was a work-related reason, I would never face time an employee who asked me not to.

[Anonymous]

Tough shit. He's the boss. Deal with it.

[Anonymous]

Could you decline the call and then call him back without video?

[Anonymous]

Do you get other iffy vibes from him in terms of interest in you?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I assure you I am not high maintenance. The part that unnerves me the most is seeing my own face in the smaller video screen while I'm talking. I become very self conscious about my facial expressions. Is there a way to turn that off?

Thanks to the poster who suggested declining and phoning back. That makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Why does your boss want to go the video route instead of just talking over the phone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does your boss want to go the video route instead of just talking over the phone?

Same question. And is the voice quality as good on Facetime? I only know skype and I would never want to do that for work on a regular basis. The pauses and talk-overs (like speakerphones-UCK) are too distracting, never mind the video.

[Anonymous]

Pick up, drop the call, then say your internet connection isn't good enough for video.

[Anonymous]

OP here. There is no good reason. I think he just likes video chat. I did some testing with my tween this afternoon and found that I can cover my own video image (shown on the bottom corner of the screen) with my thumb without affecting the call. It was seeing my own image talking part that I found the most annoying/distracting, so if I cover it up, I think that will help me deal with it without being rude to him. Thank you for the other helpful suggestions. For the people who told me to suck it up, glad I don't work for you!

[Anonymous]

Some people like to see other people's expressions when they're talking to them - to read body language. In my office we have many video chats and some phone chats. I don't like the phone chats - easier for our minds to wander and focus on other things.

You have the luxury of working at home. Brush your hair and have some shirts that aren't full of holes. Not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

When you are on vacation, his problem. When you are working from home, your problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you are on vacation, his problem. When you are working from home, your problem.

That is a good compromise.

I wonder if this is more of a micromanaging thing.