In this series, manpower correspondent Calvin Yang offers practical answers to candid questions on navigating workplace challenges and getting ahead in your career.

Q: My boss saw me in my pyjamas during a Zoom call. How do I recover from that?

A: Unfortunately, what's seen cannot be unseen.

"If your boss did not say anything, move on. Don't make mention of it ever again. Of course, don't repeat your oversight," says NeXT Career Consulting Group managing director Paul Heng.

"If your boss says something unpleasant, simply apologise, say it should not have happened, and hopefully he or she moves on."

However, Dr David Leong, managing director of PeopleWorldwide Consulting, notes that workers should always behave with decorum and propriety at work, even if the calls are virtual.

"Wearing pyjamas for Zoom calls is inappropriate in this case. It is like wearing pyjamas to the office for a meeting," he adds.

For future Zoom meetings, you should make sure proper etiquette is observed.

Wear something suitable for your work role, even if you feel ridiculous putting on formal workwear while at home.

For men, a short-sleeved collared shirt might do the trick in lieu of a dress shirt and blazer, for instance.

Women can swop pencil skirts for outfits with more relaxed silhouettes. And keep in mind that low-cut necklines are probably not a good idea for Zoom meetings.

Dr Leong explains: "Lack of care in dressing for the occasion shows a lack of respect and poor personal branding and positioning."

There are other dos and don'ts that you may want to take note of when you attend virtual meetings.

Do spend some time figuring out the different settings before the meeting. You can check where your camera is pointing at and use a simple virtual background if you wish.

Make sure to be on time, even if the meetings are done online. You don't want everyone to be waiting for you.

Try to pay attention to whoever is speaking, even if what he or she says is putting you to sleep. A simple nod at appropriate junctures shows the speaker that you are following. If you can, try to engage in the conversation.

Mute your microphone when you are not speaking. You do not want to be remembered for saying something inappropriate or having your loud typing transmitted over the call.

How workers can recover from embarrassing situations depends on the context and culture, says Ms Michele Nyrop, a senior vice-president of employee success at Salesforce. "This is something that is always evolving.

"Fundamentally, a team will need open lines of communication to address instances when these issues crop up, and set the tone and expectations of teamwork on a consistent basis."

What is done cannot be undone. So try not to over-analyse the situation.

Ms Nyrop adds: "Ultimately, it is important to bear in mind that work is a thing you do, and not a place you go to or the clothes that you wear. As long as you maintain the quality of your work, no one will remember your pyjamas in the long run.

"In fact, it might even be something for your team to look back on and laugh about."