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Original poster

Work group chat

37 replies

23andbroke · 30/06/2021 21:43

30 of my colleagues & I were in a WhatsApp group. It started off being work-related and completely innocent, then ended up turning into a massive slaw of insults against management and zany jokes

Today someone in the group sent a full transcript of the chat to management…and around 15 of my colleagues are facing disciplinary action due to their comments. Most are probably going to be sacked as the employees are still on probation, and the comments against management were brutal (insults vs feedback sort of thing)

I’m just shocked at the scale as most of my office could be let go! Do you think being sacked is a dramatic punishment or fair? I also think I know who reported it - it seems like a power play to get rid of the competition almost as they were a willing participant that was baiting but purposely careful with their wording. Weird situation

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 30/06/2021 21:49

It depends on what was said really but I've got little sympathy for people who slag others off behind their backs, whether it's via WhatsApp or or not.

It's a cowardly form of bullying. I wouldn't be happy if my kids were doing it so I'd be far less impressed with adults.

FreeBritnee · 30/06/2021 21:53

Ouch. I swear I cringed so hard reading that. That’s a brutal lesson to learn.

Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 30/06/2021 21:54

This is why the saying "you are the master of what you don't say, what you say is the master of you" or however it goes.

As horrible as it is to know that pretty much 50% of the workforce are likely to be let go, they shouldn't be slagging off management, and if they do feel the need to say horrible things about people, say it to someone away from it all...

If the person you suspect is the one that shared the transcript, they're a bit of an arse because as you've said they bated it and it's disgusting to share private communications imo.

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CanIBeACurlyGirl · 30/06/2021 21:55

Rule 1 is nothing written. It's not rocket science even if in probation.

It does go on far too much and it only takes 1 to throw others under the HR bus.

I got very drunk one Christmas and called my manager a cunt (he was and still is) we had an off the record chat on the following Monday. If I had written the same in an online group he would have easily fired me as it was in writing rather than drunken rambling.

Doesn't make it right, just showing how written evidence is easier to prove than he said she said.

FreeBritnee · 30/06/2021 21:59

DP is senior in his firm and I know there are several work WhatsApp chat groups. I just asked him if any of these chats are being monitored abd apparently they are. So let’s hope the colleagues know that too 🥴

RandomUsernameHere · 30/06/2021 21:59

They can't be sacked if they're still on probation, they can not pass probation though (apologies if I've misunderstood the OP). Impossible to say if it's drastic or not without knowing what was said.

DelineCion · 30/06/2021 21:59

Never write anything down you wouldn't say to someones face- especially your boss!

DelineCion · 30/06/2021 21:59

@WorraLiberty

It depends on what was said really but I've got little sympathy for people who slag others off behind their backs, whether it's via WhatsApp or or not.

It's a cowardly form of bullying. I wouldn't be happy if my kids were doing it so I'd be far less impressed with adults.

Yep, this. Well said.

Original poster

23andbroke · 30/06/2021 22:00

I have been cringing too! It’s almost 50% of the team that could be let go.

Well it started off as feedback like “it would be more useful if Barry did X instead” then ended up with “Barry is a bitch, stupid, jobsworth, useless” etc and general derogatory comments about the company. I don’t think any of the insults went against protected characteristics if that helps (!)

Management are saying that it was publicly shaming them and very embarrassing as there were so many people in the chat too

OP posts:

Original poster

23andbroke · 30/06/2021 22:02

@RandomUsernameHere

Ohhh I thought not passing probation = being sacked. I guess not then. We’ve only been in the company for a few months, we all started together

OP posts:

ElderMillennial · 30/06/2021 22:03

It depends on what was said but agree it's silly to put things like that in a large group chat in writing.

ShirleyPhallus · 30/06/2021 22:03

@WorraLiberty

It depends on what was said really but I've got little sympathy for people who slag others off behind their backs, whether it's via WhatsApp or or not.

It's a cowardly form of bullying. I wouldn't be happy if my kids were doing it so I'd be far less impressed with adults.

Another up vote for this ^

Original poster

23andbroke · 30/06/2021 22:03

@FreeBritnee oh no, how is he monitoring the chats? I thought only participants could see the messages on WhatsApp. Is someone in those groups informing your husband about what’s being said?

OP posts:

FreeBritnee · 30/06/2021 22:06

[quote 23andbroke]@FreeBritnee oh no, how is he monitoring the chats? I thought only participants could see the messages on WhatsApp. Is someone in those groups informing your husband about what’s being said?[/quote]
There’s people within the chats who will feed back info to management if necessary. It sounds an awful lot like what happened with you 😔

CanIBeACurlyGirl · 30/06/2021 22:06

@RandomUsernameHere

Of course anyone can.

The probabtion period is a time to prove you fit in with the team and a time to work out whether you want to join the team.

Joining a mass group message online dissing the management team proves none of the above.

Grainjar · 30/06/2021 22:10

I'm always gobsmacked about people putting insults in writing at work because it's been traceable since the 1990s. I guess it's about trying to fit in. But it makes for a toxic atmosphere. If it's a privately owned business, I'd say they'll be gone. If not, they might stand a chance with a disciplinary.

flippertygibbit · 30/06/2021 22:11

I'm very much 'if I've got something to say I'll say it face to face' however if this was on personal phones it's a private conversation and has nothing to do with the employer.

If it was on work phones I would have advised that it was unprofessional.

Either work or personal, I'd have left the group.

Re probation - if they're under 2 years employment they can be given notice to terminate their employment at any time.

bringincrazyback · 30/06/2021 22:19

Presumably these conversations were being held on company time? That's going to add insult to injury as far as management are concerned.

Original poster

23andbroke · 30/06/2021 22:19

It was WhatsApp on personal phones yep, but apparently still falls foul of social media policies

OP posts:

Original poster

23andbroke · 30/06/2021 22:20

@bringincrazyback

Presumably these conversations were being held on company time? That's going to add insult to injury as far as management are concerned.

😬you’re right

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RandomUsernameHere · 30/06/2021 22:29

^Of course anyone can.

The probabtion period is a time to prove you fit in with the team and a time to work out whether you want to join the team.^

No they can't, being sacked is not the same as not passing probation. Also it's much much easier to get rid of someone in their probationary period.

Twistered · 30/06/2021 22:29

Call centre team?

ElderMillennial · 30/06/2021 22:31

If it's on work time then that makes it worse and tbh I don't think sacking is too harsh especially if they are on their probation.

Original poster

23andbroke · 30/06/2021 22:35

The atmosphere was so tense at work, I’m dreading tomorrow. I can just imagine the stern “reply all” emails that will be sent in the morning

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Original poster

23andbroke · 30/06/2021 22:37

@Twistered

Call centre team?

Not quite! Trying not to be outing but an office based public sector department

OP posts:

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