She had interviewed and met both remotely and in person, this guy was merely an HR drone confirming her documentation. I was a little bent when she told me he had asked her to remove her blur filter “to have a look at her working environment, make sure it’s not cluttered” (something along those lines). No one else at this company requested such. Was he way out of line?

I should note, this is my PC in our living room and not where she will be working from. And this guy wants a look around our home?! Told my wife to bring this up once she’s settled in, ask HR if this is policy. She started today!

She thinks it’s a racism thing. I’m not so sure, but I don’t have any other explanation.

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222 points

Uh, I hire a lot of remote people, and have been remote for a long time. That is absolutely not fucking normal. I’m not going to say racism/poor/or anything, but I will say asshole behavior and huge red flag.

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92 points

I’ve been remote the past 5 years as well. I’ve never heard of anyone, anywhere, for any reason being asked to un-blur video. Customers, vendors, coworkers, everyone does it. In fact, I consider it more professional, and certainly less distracting to do so unless you background is 100% work dedicated. Hence my post.

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5 points

Even in a 100% work dedicated office, there is no background that looks as professional and uncluttered as a blurred one.

I only unblur if I’m showing off my bookshelf or video game posters

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6 points

I only leave my stuff unblurred cuz my cats like to be on cam.

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6 points

I agree! I brought this up with my team and they all laughed at it, and brought up too that “Wouldn’t it look more professional having it on?”

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12 points

okay but consider that you don’t have as much surveilance of your employees, and without that, how are you supposed to discipline them?

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5 points

Just checking, youre being sarcastic right?

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