Teams etiquette

I agree: I think a lot of people feel the rules of etiquette somehow don’t apply on Teams or the etiquette hasn’t fully settled. At my place people use it to do things they know they wouldn’t get away with in real life.

I have a colleague who calls me on Teams three ir four times a day to ask questions which he could have emailed or messaged. Often it’s because he wants a moan about something or shoot the breeze and he finds some incredibly trivial excuse to call me so he can offload. I find it incredibly self indulgent and childish tbh and I have asked him not to do it but he still does it.

So many people project their personal shit onto professional comms. I am so over it. Learn how to interact appropriately with people and stop being a drain on their time. I am busy and I’m not your friend or your therapist.

I don't even think about it.

If i need to speak to someone I call, if it's not conversation worthy I message.

If I'm in a meeting and someone rings I just get the notification, it's fine

I find it annoying if people message me to check if it's OK to call. Just call, if i can answer I will.

So often the red/ yellow/ green is inaccurate anyway.

Don’t answer the call, then. If it’s urgent they will message you.

I have turned the colour off. I am permanently grey so that people either message first or check my calendar. My immediate team including my supervisor and anyone else I closely collaborate with know this. Anyone else get to the back of the line, I will get to you when I have time.

Red means there’s something in your diary. But that doesn’t mean you’re busy. You might not be attending that meeting or it might be a reminder to do something and you’ve done it.
That’s why it’s not ‘blindingly obvious’.

Why? Red means in a meeting or busy. Or have I misunderstood you?

It’s not blindingly obvious you’re busy, though.

Asking 'are you free' is good manners. Takes two seconds to reply 'no' or 'yes', three to say when you are available.

I often show as red as i’ve set a reminder in my calendar to do something, so its worth calling me as I’ll answer if I can. If I can’t, I won’t.

I give up with do not disturb or busy. Everyone ignores it. I just log out if I really need peace!

Oh jeez am I your boss? 😂 I have lots of stuff added to my diary and often don’t need to go. People call me regardless. Sometimes I can answer, other times I can’t. Our diaries are all open so we can see what’s in.

What does annoy me is people who don’t charge up their mobile phones any more. Not everyone is always at a screen and sometimes a call whilst I’m walking or off site can resolve quite a few quick issues. Except it doesn’t when they’re only available on Teams.

When you're red it's blindingly obvious that you're busy but a lot of people don't think that waiting applies to them or are just plain ignorant. It's about 50/50.

It's excruciating when someone's in a meeting and presenting.

If your status is yellow because you are away from your desk, I will send you a message to which you can reply once you return. Do you really think your colleagues are so stupid that they expect you to immediately answer them?

OP is talking about CALLS, not messages.

I never call someone without messaging first and usually at least 15 mins notice, but we aren't particularly 'chatty' and can do most things by message.

yeah I always message before trying to call anyone. I had a manager who would just call without messaging first and it annoyed me because even though I was showing as available, I was usually in the middle of something.

And people who type whilst you’re typing! Wait for me to say what I’m saying! 😆

Its the facial expression you put on, slight frown, eyes glued to screen, and a quickening of typing pace from lack lustre to furious when you spot Dull Dave from IT approaching in your peripheral vision, or hear your boss say "Does anyone have a moment to...."

What annoys me is people just messaging Hi

What do you want?

I'm regularly sat at my desk doing something which would mean people can call me but either I'm yellow as I'm doing something offline/ watching a meeting playback/ just sat staring into space thinking/ on Mumsnet for 5 minutes OR I'm red because I was in a meeting that finished/ I've blocked time out to do something but it's not like I can't be disturbed.

I'd I don't want people to contact me I go offline or DND, normally offline as for some reason DND lets everyone in my team through even though they're not priority contacts

I have never in my working life expected to not be disturbed, no matter how intently I’m working.

I might have to tell people I’m busy or I’ll get back to them but if I’m approached I’ll engage.

I’m not sure what the difference between working and “working intently” is.

Its the remote working version of approaching a colleague who's clearly working intently and asking 'are you busy?', or knocking on a door that says don't disturb and saying 'it's only me! Sorry, but I only wanted....' People who want something will chance their arm. Either because the 'barrier' isn't really in place, or because they think they have something important enough to get through regardless.

As PP have said, red can just mean that time was booked for a meeting but the person might not be in the meeting. I often accept one hour slots where the meeting ends much sooner. My Teams shows red but I am free. Don't answer if you're busy. This is work, if it's during working hours, it's perfectly legitimate for people to call you.

God never even thought about it. I call or message and people answer when they answer. Same for me. I might be showing green but doesn't mean I'll answer the call 🤣

You are not being too sensitive. You are being utterly ridiculous.

There is no way in hell I am going to waste my time checking and rechecking your status until it is green if I need to get in touch. This does not harm anyone.

If your status is yellow because you are away from your desk, I will send you a message to which you can reply once you return. Do you really think your colleagues are so stupid that they expect you to immediately answer them?

Perhaps you are even sat at your desk but not moving your mouse for some reason - then it’s even easier for you to respond!

There are often meetings which finish early, which aren’t attended or which do not need your full attention. If your status is red, you might still be able to reply. There are people who are red almost all the time because their calendars are so full. These people still need to be contacted somehow.

You sound like hard work.

Disagree with yellow. Mine goes yellow when I don't interact with teams. I'm there, I'm working, but showing yellow on teams.

DND mutes everything for me unless a "priority contact".

Sometimes I still just mark myself offline 🫢 tbf usually only if I'm finishing something urgent and about to go on leave so literally not able to pick up anything new.

My team does pay attention to Teams status’s and wouldn’t try starting a call if someone is on red. They’d send a message instead asking for a call when they’re free.

Having said that, I’ve never known anyone to just start a call out of the blue even if the person shows as available. They would always message first to make sure it’s a good time to call.