How Not to Get Distracted by the Horrifying Objects Behind Your Boss During This Zoom Call

If you’re lucky enough to work from home, then you might be unlucky enough to experience a Zoom call. The video conferencing site allows for virtual meetings, and also allows a glimpse into the home of your employer. Sometimes you’ll see some stuff in the background you just can’t not think about. To ensure you stay productive, here are some tips to not get distracted by the horrifying objects behind your boss.

• Tell yourself it’s no big deal

  So your boss has a bunch of rusty hooks, no big deal. Maybe they’re for exercise equipment, like pilates. It’s only as strange as you let it. You need to focus on those expense reports or you’re going to be fired fast.

• Remember, everybody’s different

  Sure, owning dolls that look just like you and your coworkers might be considered weird here, but what if your boss is from Europe or something? Have you ever stopped to think Mr. Lechter’s rich French heritage has something to do with the little marionettes made of ham? Try to have an open mind.

• Switch to a coworker’s screen

  Zoom allows you to choose which coworker you see during a meeting, so if your boss’s strange (French?) lifestyle is too distracting you can look at something else: like Angela from accounting’s screen. Her background isn’t distracting at all, even when you see your boss sneaking up on her. 

• Focus on your own work

  You probably forgot with the pandemic and Beth’s disappearance, but we’re in the middle of a recession. You can’t afford to get fired. So stop asking things like, “hey why is that clown laughing in the distance?” or “Why are all the doors covered in claw marks?” otherwise the next thing you’ll be asking is, “would you like some fries with that?” 

There you have it, by sticking to these simple methods you can stay focused and in your boss’ good graces, and out of his dingy basement, chained to a radiator.