Home worker who smokes in video meetings called out for 'unprofessional' habit

22 May 2023 , 14:57

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The home worker's behaviour was criticised (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Ever since the pandemic popularised home working, office workers have struggled to work out the new professional code of conduct.

Granted, it's easy to realise you probably shouldn't join meetings wearing pyjama bottoms - and if you do, make sure to turn your camera off before standing up and accidentally revealing your gameplay.

But plenty of other rules and conventions are still up for debate. Or at least, they might be according to one home worker. In a post to Reddit, an unsure staff member asked if it's acceptable to smoke during an online meeting - and people had lots to say about the matter.

But not everyone agreed it is a problem (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The controversial question read: "If you work from home on a permanent basis and have virtual meetings is it unprofessional to smoke/vape whilst on screen?"

Unfortunately, nobody could quite agree on the answer. One comment with over 4,000 likes said: "Absolutely yes."

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Meanwhile, a recruiter revealed: "I had a chap I was interviewing (during Covid - remotely) light up within the first 10 seconds of the call. He then proceeded to put his feet up on his desk. Needless to say the interview didn't last long and he didn't get the job!"

But another person replied: "Why? I wouldn't take issue with it - it's their home."

Someone else said: "Yeah, I'd say it's unprofessional. You can't smoke in an office environment."

However, a different commenter wrote: "It's illogical though. You don't smoke in the office because it physically affects other people with the smoke. That's pretty much the only reason.

"You can drink coffee in a zoom meeting and nobody bats an eyelid, I say you should be able to smoke too."

Meanwhile, several supporters revealed they happily smoke during meetings - so long as there are no cameras involved.

"During lockdown and subsequently now wfh, we are asked to turn off cameras and sound for better quality calls, so I happily have a cheeky ciggie with my coffee and hide it if I have to contribute," read one such reply.

"Totally, but that's why you have your camera off," a second agreed.

But others warned doing so could go against company policy, though they weren't sure if such rules are enforceable. A commenter shared: "I started WFH in 2010 and our existing work contract was no smoking during working hours.

"Someone checked with HR and they confirmed that it still applied even when working at home."

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"I rather suspect employers have literally no power to enforce this," someone replied.

Amber O'Connor