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Original poster

Work WA Christmas messages since dawn

28 replies

smokingcarriageonly · 25/12/2023 21:37

Is it normal for a work WhatsApp group to be pinging all day Christmas Day (starting at 7am) with photos of colleagues' families, trees, gifts etc? Or is it a sign of a dysfunctional work environment and terrible boundaries?
DND is on but how to be the sole refusenik!?

OP posts:
Cyclistmumgrandma · 25/12/2023 21:49

o idea if normal or not. Just mute it for today and get on with your day.

Cyclistmumgrandma · 25/12/2023 21:50

NO idea...

TheSpottedZebra · 25/12/2023 21:51

Is it just people who get on well, chatting and wishing each other merry xmas?

Just ignore it if its not for you. Mute it for a while maybe.

But I dont think it's dysfunctional.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Events & celebrations
christmaspawpaws · 25/12/2023 21:52

Same here but we are a close team. Mine is muted permanently and I check it periodically when I'm working

ExpensiveDecorations · 25/12/2023 21:53

Ours has been pinging a bit today, same as a few of my other groups but no mention of work, just Christmas wishes, the odd photo. Some join in, some ignore. I think it's quite nice, but we are quite a close bunch.

AlwaysForksAndMarbles · 25/12/2023 21:55

Nobody should have to use a personal phone for work purposes, so on a holiday a work phone should be switched off. If you need a phone for work, they should provide a separate device or sim, so you can keep work and home separate. There’s no way you should have to see this unless you choose to.

IDontLoveTheWayYouLie · 25/12/2023 21:55

Our team all wished each other a merry Christmas and some sent pictures but we're a small group and get on well. I don't check my phone every time it goes off.

SutWytTi · 25/12/2023 21:56

Just mute the group. I don't think you have to pay any attention to work people during holidays.

Playmeamelody · 25/12/2023 22:01

Or is it a sign of a dysfunctional work environment and terrible boundaries?
DND is on but how to be the sole refusenik!?

Mynwork messaging app is full of similar, it’s just colleagues enjoying sharing some Christmas cheer and sharing a glimpse of home, it’s not that deep. Send a merry Christmas message it would take less time and headspace than this thread or just ignore and crack on no one will care.

christmaspawpaws · 25/12/2023 22:22

AlwaysForksAndMarbles · 25/12/2023 21:55

Nobody should have to use a personal phone for work purposes, so on a holiday a work phone should be switched off. If you need a phone for work, they should provide a separate device or sim, so you can keep work and home separate. There’s no way you should have to see this unless you choose to.

We have the option to mute or if on leave we leave the group and rejoin when we are back
Not going to supply us with a phone on min wage and it was set up as a temp measure over lockdown

ExpensiveDecorations · 25/12/2023 22:28

We set ours up in lockdown too then decided we like it and it's useful. One person has left the group since and I think one or two others might have it muted, it's optional and we definitely don't want or need separate work phones. There are various smaller chats for particular depts or offices too.

sleepsuitbag · 25/12/2023 23:52

AlwaysForksAndMarbles · 25/12/2023 21:55

Nobody should have to use a personal phone for work purposes, so on a holiday a work phone should be switched off. If you need a phone for work, they should provide a separate device or sim, so you can keep work and home separate. There’s no way you should have to see this unless you choose to.

Not really the point though....

AlwaysForksAndMarbles · 25/12/2023 23:59

sleepsuitbag · 25/12/2023 23:52

Not really the point though....

Show quote history

I think it is. Work doesn’t own your own time, so if you’re not at work, you don’t have to be available to receive these messages on Christmas Day. If muting or temporarily leaving work groups during leave and on holidays is what it takes, that’s what should be done - but nobody should have to engage with anything to do with work unless they’re working.

TrishTrix · 26/12/2023 00:03

We have two - neither are mandatory. There is a work related one and then a social one.

The social one has been buzzing all day with Christmas memes, pics of kids etc. I think it's a mark of a team who like each other, support each other and share a bit of themselves.

If you don't want to be part of it either leave, mute or archive the group. FGS don't try to police what other people do on the group.

Original poster
smokingcarriageonly · 26/12/2023 01:07

Thanks all.

Not policing anything, I didn't want to engage at all but I'll be seen as not a team player. It doesn't feel like authentically sharing your nice day with people you like, it's more like mandatory attendance. Boss is very active in the group.

I'm envious of those of you in close teams who enjoy sharing your Christmas with each other!

OP posts:
christmaspawpaws · 26/12/2023 01:12

Our managers are in it but they share stuff too
It ranges from
Work stuff - things that are broken mostly (laptop, IT dept, the entire system)
Whinging about broken stuff
Random photos of not work stuff
Manager declaring group is work only and no banter allowed
Banter stops for 24hrs and is then restarted by manager Hmm

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 26/12/2023 01:16

AlwaysForksAndMarbles · 25/12/2023 21:55

Nobody should have to use a personal phone for work purposes, so on a holiday a work phone should be switched off. If you need a phone for work, they should provide a separate device or sim, so you can keep work and home separate. There’s no way you should have to see this unless you choose to.

Completely agree. I point blank refuse to have anything work related in my personal phone. I have a work phone but it is switched off when I'm off.

Rafting2022 · 26/12/2023 01:17

I’m with you OP - everybody on our work WhatsApp was wishing Happy Christmas from 8am onwards and I didn’t want to be the only one to not post so reluctantly was the last one to say have a good day.

Original poster
smokingcarriageonly · 26/12/2023 01:35

Rafting2022 · 26/12/2023 01:17

I’m with you OP - everybody on our work WhatsApp was wishing Happy Christmas from 8am onwards and I didn’t want to be the only one to not post so reluctantly was the last one to say have a good day.

Yes it's the feeling of being the only one in a small workplace who hasn't posted a photo. It feels intrusive and like I have to be fun in a work group on Christmas.
It's not a work phone.
I did have a lovely day, but it's not a work day.

OP posts:
Rafting2022 · 26/12/2023 01:45

I chose not to have a work phone as I didn’t want to carry two phones so instead work pay for my personal number which is also my work number.

Anyway that’s not the point as every single member of staff posted something, whether from their work or private phone. I just don’t want a few days off from having to think about work!

Rafting2022 · 26/12/2023 01:46

*I just want a few days off…

Original poster
smokingcarriageonly · 26/12/2023 02:00

Rafting2022 · 26/12/2023 01:46

*I just want a few days off…

Yup

OP posts:
TrishTrix · 27/12/2023 14:59

@smokingcarriageonly and others - you do know that if you go to exit a group it gives you an archive option which means you stay in the group but don't see the chat until you actively open archived chats.

Alternatively you can mute notifications from groups.

Rafting2022 · 27/12/2023 23:57

Yes we know that - it’s not the point is it?

CKL987 · 28/12/2023 22:24

Depends on the kind of group. I have work whatsapp groups but they are with people that are now my friends. I don't have work whatsapp groups that talk specifically about work but if I did I don't think I'd care about messages coming through. I'd mute it if it bothered me.

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