Online Conduct

Type				Team Size
Collaborative Tools	Software	Personal Skills	Productivity Tools	1	2-10	11-30	30+

What, Why & When?

This article represents helpful guidance for personal conduct (i.e. how you behave) in online spaces such as video conferences or group chats. While good manners should be mostly the same as in the analogue world, some things are different anyhow.

Goals

• Ensure good communication online
• Fostering a respectful environment

Guidelines

Video Conferences

1. Before or at the beginning of every video conference, a moderator is nominated. He or she is responsible for ensuring compliance with these rules. He or she is especially responsible to look for requests to speak.
2. All participants mute their microfone when joining a conference call. The microphone will solely be activated when the moderator gave allowance to speak and will be muted immediately afterwards.
3. To request to speak, use the possibilities of the video conferencing software. Typically, there is a chat or "Raise hand" function at your dispoal.
4. Audio transmission is to be prioritized. This means:
   1. Use headsets with a built-in microphone.
   2. Do not turn on video if unnecessary.
5. Good practice for offline meetings should especially be followed in online meetings due to the limited possibilities of interaction. This refers especially to:
   1. Have an agenda including time-boxed agenda slots.
   2. Nominate a keeper of the minutes at the beginning. He*she will summarize the meeting at the end.
   3. Only discuss topics that are relevant for all participants. Individual consultations should happen before or after the meeting, or - if need be - using the private chat function or mail during the meeting.