There is no doubt that zoom has revolutionised how we conduct online meetings. However, for all the good they do, they can now offer an express lane to unemployment.  

I am specifically talking to all those hosts who share their screen, and even the user who allow their screen to be shared.

Before you think that this will never happen to you, keep in mind that a few years ago the Tech Guru Leo Laporte, who has a National radio (USA) show as well as live streaming all his content on his network was caught on several occasions accidentally sharing XXX conversations with his fiance, as well as accompanying pictures live on air. And he is an “Expert”.

A sure way to be Sacked is displaying any of the below during a meeting.

(remember most meetings are recorded, so even a quick glance can be paused and magnified.)

• Browser tabs and favourites

  • Do not have anything questionable visible to the group.

    • A Miami Professor was sacked for having a bookmark to “busty college girl” while conducting a lecture.

• Confidential Emails

  • There is NO reason ever your email should be open during a meeting.

    • Most email programs include a title and a prevue of the content, nobody needs to see your confidential information.

• “Working” Documents

  • Imagine the impact on morale if the employees see documents on the desktop titled;

    • Redundancies

    • Administration

    • Company Sale

    • Employe X Disciplinary action

• Very “Personal” images, and yes the NSFW kind

  • We live in an era where everything is integrated, one moment it's on your phone and the next it on your computer

• Allow Messaging App Notifications (iMessage, FB Messanger, WhatsApp, etc)

  • Nobody needs to read your conversations especial when they become either adult-themed or offensive

Some suggestions on how to avoid them

• Be a professional

  • Even though you are at home, these are still your Employers, Colleagues or Direct reports, treat them accordingly

• Use a guest account on your computer if possible

  • If you have administrator rights you can create an environment where you cannot have a catastrophic failure

    • For Windows how to click here

    • For Mac how to click here

• Be prepared

  • Anticipate questions

    • Nobody wants to see you scramble and cycle through multiple windows to answer a basic question

• Set a do not disturb mode

  • For Windows how to click here

  • For Mac how to click here

• Share only the program you are using

  • This way you have 100% control on what is displayed

• Set you file previews to text, not icons

  • This way there is no preview of your content

And finally, while the thought of only wearing Pijama pants under the desk is very alluring, please wear something professional under the desk, as you never know when you might have to get up.

*When I say Zoom I refer to it as a generic name, this can all is relevant to Microsoft Teams, Skype, Facebook, Facetime, Go to Meeting, Go To Assist, etc.