Meeting Etiquette Guidance

Running a Meeting

Schedule meetings in advance

Make sure you invite the right people to a meeting, try to avoid inviting lots of people on a ‘just in case’ basis. Schedule meetings as far in advance as possible to give people sufficient notice.

Try not to schedule meetings ‘back to back’, give people time to recover in between meetings.

Colleagues with diverse schedules will appreciate you thinking about when the meeting should be held.

Set an agenda / Structure meetings

Setting the agenda is particularly important for virtual meetings as it allows attendees to understand the purpose of the meeting and why they are there. This is particularly helpful for more introverted people as it allows them to prepare for the meeting and feel comfortable contributing

Be on time to welcome attendees

It’s important that you are on time, or better still, early to the meeting. That way you can welcome attendees into the meeting and allow for some casual conversation and networking before the meeting starts. This is a good opportunity to check in with everyone and catch up. Not only will it boost engagement, but it also helps to build and strengthen working relationships.

Do introductions for attendees

Remember during virtual meetings you may not be able to see all attendees on the screen at the same time, so it is useful if everyone can introduce themselves at the start. Giving people this opportunity at the beginning of a meeting will make them more likely to contribute later on and it will also allow attendees to introduce themselves using the name they prefer.

Encourage everyone to contribute

It’s good practice to make sure everyone can contribute during any meeting, but more so when working virtually as it can be difficult to pick up on body language and non-verbal cues. It’s important to give less outspoken people the opportunity to contribute.

Consider the wellbeing of attendees during a meeting

Think about the duration of the meeting. Keep to the time that you set. People may have other diary commitments, so allow 15 minutes in between meetings.

Make sure you make time for a break or a standing session during longer meetings so that staff can refill drinks, have a snack, stretch out or take a comfort break.

Attending a Meeting/Training

Setting up for your meeting

Test all your technology before the meeting (e.g. checking the video works, Wi-Fi is connected etc.)

If supplied, read the agenda before the meeting.

Make sure your device and chair are at a comfortable height.

Make your background appropriate

Think about what is behind you when you set up your camera. If you don’t want your colleagues seeing your laundry / collection of Star Wars figures, then move them or consider a different location. Microsoft Teams also allows you to change your background via the menu button on the video toolbar, which will help to disguise what’s behind you.

Dress appropriately

Working remotely may mean that you are not always wearing “office” clothing, however you should show respect for the other attendees by considering how you present yourself during virtual meetings.

Use your video

Whenever possible use your video. It’s easier to build relationships when you can see who you are talking to.

Mute your mic

Remember to mute your mic unless you are speaking. Not muting your mic means other attendees may be able to hear every sound at your end, such as breathing, coughing or other background noises. You should unmute your mic only when you are directly contributing to the meeting.

Wear your headphones

Maintaining confidentiality during an online call is extremely important. Wearing your headphones will help reduce breaches of confidentiality as well as drown out any background noise.  If you require to order a headset please log a purchase request through the IT self-service portal.

Raise your hand

During a meeting you can raise a virtual hand to let people know you want to contribute without interrupting the conversation. 

Click on the hand icon to raise your hand and the meeting presenter will receive a notification that your hand is raised. This will allow them to give you the opportunity to speak and avoid multiple people speaking at the same time.

Using the chat feature

The chat feature can be used for sending relevant links, sharing documents, suggesting something or asking a question.

Be present and contribute

Multitasking should be discouraged as you could end up losing focus and become distracted. Concentrate on the meeting at hand. Try to avoid touching using your phone or keyboard and only keep necessary tabs open.

Speak clearly and concisely

It’s important to speak clearly and concisely. Enunciating your words can get around any muffled microphones or poor-sounding speakers.

Sharing your screen

You can share your screen to show any relevant documents and visuals. However, when you screen share you lose the ability to see everyone in the meeting so be mindful if people are raising their hands – try not to share your screen too much.