I need to rant about Teams culture

[Blueradiators]

As in, Microsoft Teams.

The constant pinging and "quick" questions are driving me potty. The interruptions!! I can't ever just get on with things because I am in a Teams meeting, or Frank wants to know if I have 2 minutes to call him and refuses to say why and then keeps me on the phone for 40 minutes, or Zainab wants to "quickly" run through the reporting slides cos she sees I have a free half hour in my diary.

Whatever happened to sending me an email? Or scheduling a meeting with an agenda so that I have time to think and prepare? Why does everyone feel entitled to an immediate response?

I am in my 30s and I genuinely don't know how this has become my life. It seems to have crept up and suddenly is everywhere. Is this just my company or are others suffering like this too? What can be done?

And if you're one of those on the offending side, WHY do you do it?!

Set yourself as permanently busy?

I ignore them and answer in my own time, same as an email!

Yeah it's nuts since covid, seems to have been a culture change.

Treat those who are unreasonable (2 minutes being 40, for example) differently, be positive for those who are sensible. Especially those who can plan ahead.

Block out focus time for deep work and let others know a good time for quick catch ups is eg 2-3 or something.

It's no different to an email - reply in your own time. Also set your status to say 'working to a deadline' when you need to focus.

Switch off notifications. Check at specific times (first thing, before/ after lunch, just before end of day). Respond with a meeting suggestion or with when you can respond by.

Agree! Very annoying! I ignore now until im free. Also, people who call on Teams about the most unimportant thing then talk for 20 mins!! Go away!! Our team feel the need to update everyone about everything they are doing all day longggggggg

I ignore TEAMS messages. Only respond to emails. They soon learn.

I've seen people have teams hours. Available 2-3 (or whatever) for teams. Bit like academics surgery hours or office hours. Could be worth a try?

Just say no?

My teams doesn't ping, and doesn't pop up notifications, because I've got them turned off in settings. When I'm free enough to look at them, I look at them.

And when someone asks for a quick meeting, if I'm in the middle of something then I tell them to book something in the diary for Thursday.

It's just a tool, make it work the way you want it to.

Do people not remember the time before covid when teams wasnt a thing.... But the telephone was? Being interrupted while you are working has never not been a thing. People used to just ring you if they needed something, or stop by your desk... Because you were always in the office.
People like the idea they should be able hide away from colleagues for hours at a time with no distractions.... That was never the case pre covid. 15 years ago the phone was always ringing, emails were always pinging etc. People just have to find something to whinge about

Totally agree, I was on a call this morning with another person pinging me and a third one trying to dial me into another meeting. 6 months and counting until I get out of the rat race.

You could decide on a time slot for teams calls. Such as Monday and Thursday from 10-11.30am (or whenever is convenient). You could send everyone an email, bcc'ing them, telling them of your availability. Then leave it at that. It they want to teams you, let them do it at hours that are convenient to you. Id be the same. That would drive anyone mad!!

PS if you did what people are suggesting and only making yourself available at certain times, you'd get a stern talking to where I work.

Why is it any different to having a phone on your desk? Just say no / please email / we can meet next week.

Fuck your quick call.

It could have been an email
It should have been an email
But it is never, a fucking email.
A quick call is some motherfucker downloading their thoughts to you over a 40 min call as you slowly die inside.

Saw this on Instagram and nodded so much my head nearly fell off.

I ignore them. If they query it tell them that you focus on your emails as a priority and if they want to reach you then they should email you.

There is a Do Not Disturb setting

It’s awful isn’t it?
Turn off notifications and put yourself on “Do not Disturb” so calls go to voicemail. It’s impossible to get any work done otherwise.
You have to erect really strong boundaries otherwise all you do is deal
with Teams stuff.

They are very entitled and impatient. The more you do things their way the more it enables their behaviour.

You shouldn't just ignore them because it will never sort out the problem.

If you have a team leader, suggest some team ways of working that protects everyone's time. No ad hoc pings, scheduled meetings only with an agenda and outcomes, at least half a day's notice unless both parties consent due to agreed urgency.

You have to set boundaries with these people or they keep being feral.

Yeah I hate this too. I hate it even more when people call me on Teams, completely out of the blue, with no warning.

I hate Teams. It's messy and complicated. I can't even find half of our process notes and end up clicking away dipping in and out of folders.
Plus the STUPID unread / chats etc /meeting chats etc. Fuck off.

Bring back tidy File Explorer / manager.

Same. I have to use Copilot to help me find stuff on Teams - it's mad.

It's your company culture rather than Teams culture.

Make good use of the DND and Busy functions.