FEATURES

ZOOMING INTO TROUBLE

After a year of working from home we ask whether it is acceptable to vape while on a Zoom call with colleagues or clients .

Words : Caroline Barry

I t all started with the best of intentions . Zoom meetings at the start of lockdown 1.0 meant work clothes on , make-up done and animals banished from our makeshift offices . However as we now settle into the tail end of lockdown 3.0 , things have become less boardroom ready and more bedroom chic . As our homemade offices become long term options , do normal rules apply ? Many companies do not allow vaping in the workplace and send vapers outside with the smokers , but as we now host and attend meetings from our own homes is it acceptable to vape over Zoom ? Sadbh is a University Research Manager in York . Prior to the lockdown , she vaped outside but never hid it from her colleagues . She said : “ Most people would ’ ve seen me vaping on my lunch breaks or outside the office . I generally try to be fairly discreet , but that ’ s just out of politeness , not because I ’ m hiding it .” Now that she is working from home things are a little different . She said : “ Firstly I am vaping a lot more , because I ’ m using my vape throughout the day rather than stepping out for breaks . “ I haven ’ t had a conversation about what would be appropriate , I ’ ve just tried to use my judgment - if I want to vape during a meeting I ’ ll turn my camera and mic off briefly , then back on again after a few minutes . “ If anyone asks I ’ ll usually say I ’ m having Wi-Fi issues ! I think I ’ ve possibly got a little too relaxed about it to be honest ; I ’ ll happily vape openly on calls with colleagues I know as friends , though I ’ ll try to mute myself when doing so or it sounds like Darth Vader is

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