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Original poster

To not want to join work's Whatapp and Facebook groups

101 replies

MaryQContrary · 02/02/2020 11:59

I'm starting a new job on Monday (feel sick!)

Went for induction day last week and Manager said, "I'll friend you on Facebook and add you to team FB and Whatsapp group"

When I asked "why" she said they use them A LOT for giving feedback and sharing ideas.

Is this the norm in workplaces? We never did this at my old place.

I don't want FB and am fed up of people adding me to Whatsapp groups. I want to leave work at work and waste my free time on Mumsnet!

OP posts:
Drum2018 · 02/02/2020 12:19

Seeing as you have neither Facebook nor whatsapp then they cannot add you. Just tell them you don't have either account and won't be setting one up. They cannot force you to.

BlueChangeling · 02/02/2020 12:20

My old line manager added me to the group WhatsApp without asking if it was OK. I left the chat immediately and told her I didn't feel comfortable giving my personal number to colleagues. She tried to argue about it but I said her sharing my personal details without my consent to other people could be a GDPR breach.

Leaving it straight away was the best thing I could have done. There only seemed to be drama and bitching in the chat.

I reason I felt so strongly about it was due to a previous colleague who got my number and used to ring me for a chat outside office times and she'd be on the phone for hours.

BemidjiMinnesota · 02/02/2020 12:27

Wow, no I would hate that. If you joined their WhatsApp group then all your colleagues would have your private phone number! Plus a lot of people are dicks on group chats and post irrelevant rubbish so you miss the important stuff, just like SunshineAngel s DP.

Wasn't there a case where an employee was obliged to hand over all their private Facebook messenger information because the employer believed there was some work related information on it?

There is a line between home and work, and this crosses it by a mile.

ColourMyDreams · 02/02/2020 12:31

I refuse point blank to join any works social media. If they want me to participate in work stuff in my free time, they can pay me for it.
If I wanted to work for free then I would work in a charity shop.

Jess827 · 02/02/2020 12:31

I've been harassed by a colleague in the past (male, senior to me, wouldn't take my avoidance attempts to de-escalate) .. nothing criminal but enough to have an informal chat with the police for advice after it wasn't dying down after 8 months.. the idea of being in a workplace where everyone has my personal mobile literally makes my hair stand on end. I ended up leaving that job mostly because of his harassment, I couldn't face the blurred lines again, I assume it's the sort of place where you're the odd one out if you question it or ask not to be added (easiest option is don't give your number, say no personal mobile, only a family one that everyone uses... Or don't have a FB account!).

Original poster
MaryQContrary · 02/02/2020 12:35

A colleague used to text me frequently to whinge about work. I couldn't care lessso just used to reply "really?" "Oh dear" "That must be difficult" to pacify her. She decided to go to the Manager to complain about her lot. When she wasn't getting anywhere she whipped out her phone and said "look - Mary agrees with me!" Angry

OP posts:
PhilCornwall1 · 02/02/2020 12:36

I don't want FB and am fed up of people adding me to Whatsapp groups.

I binned all social media years ago when people from work and the company kept trying to add me or whatever it is they do on it. To be fair I was going to get rid of it anyway as it was pointless, but I just did it more quickly.

Work only knows my home phone number and my work mobile number. The keep asking for my personal mobile, but they don't need it and have been told they aren't having it.

YANBU to want to keep it for outside work only.

makingmammaries · 02/02/2020 12:36

We have a work WhatsApp group. I got annoyed at being constantly pinged for other people’s in-jokes, politely asked if they could limit it to necessary work stuff only, and got flamed. So I muted the damn thing.

mnthrowaway202020 · 02/02/2020 12:40

Whilst it’s understandably annoying, at this point it’s just part and parcel of today’s working climate

TwentyViginti · 02/02/2020 12:41

This is SM being used as a work enslavement tool, IMO.

PeridotPassion · 02/02/2020 12:44

I agree with a pp that Facebook is unnecessary, WhatsApp normal.

Workplaces have always needed to be able to get in touch with their staff outside of office hours - What’s app group is just the new phone call/text/email but a million times more convenient.

EmpressLangClegInChair · 02/02/2020 12:45

I’ve got a work Facebook account too. It’s just far easier.

EBearhug · 02/02/2020 12:47

My work has blocked FB. I think there would be all sorts of security risks with using FB to discuss work.

ExtraOnions · 02/02/2020 12:48

Tell them to get Microsoft Teams ... you can have groups, instant message, share posts ... and you can just use it on your work devices.

TheMemoryLingers · 02/02/2020 12:50

I don't have either app. If my work wanted me to have Whats App they'd have to provide me with a work phone, as far as I'm concerned.

BadnessInTheFolds · 02/02/2020 12:54

I would find WhatsApp far more intrusive than FB, I'm actually shocked people think this is normal.

I don't want all my work colleagues to have my personal phone number, I don't want it constantly updating me with other people's irrelevant stuff, I don't want to see it when I'm not working (not just outside of 9-5, what about annual leave etc?).

I'd refuse unless they got me a work phone tbh.
I might not mind seeing up a separate Facebook account quite as much but I think it's poor practice

BemidjiMinnesota · 02/02/2020 12:56

TwentyViginti

This is SM being used as a work enslavement tool, IMO.

Agree. All the posters saying this is much easier; easier for who? Not for the recipient. It just increases the digital clutter an employee has to wade through and muddies the lines of communication.

Jess827 · 02/02/2020 12:56

Workplaces have always needed to be able to get in touch with their staff outside of office hours - What’s app group is just the new phone call/text/email but a million times more convenient.

For next of kin / emergency situations maybe. Not all the noise every colleague puts out.

Original poster
MaryQContrary · 02/02/2020 12:59

Whilst it’s understandably annoying, at this point it’s just part and parcel of today’s working climate

Well, maybe we need to make a stand.
They've got my number if they need to contact me urgently and they can give feedback/share ideas on work email.
They can even speak to me face to face like in ye olden days when it were all fields round here Grin

OP posts:
TheOrigRightsofwomen · 02/02/2020 13:04

We have a whole team WeChat (Chinese version of WhatsApp) as we mostly all work remotely and it's the only reliable way of reaching everyone.
It is used variably for work talk (most often when colleagues are at conferences and want to discuss topics there and then), work admin (we've had some posts about Coronovirus), and then some fun as well (again at conferences e.g. we're at the pool!).

It works well. We are all mature professionals and know where the boundaries lie.

4amWitchingHour · 02/02/2020 13:08

Whilst it’s understandably annoying, at this point it’s just part and parcel of today’s working climate

It really isn't. I have no current colleagues on Facebook - old ones from previous jobs who are now friends, but nothing work related and have never been asked (started work in 2007, have had Facebook since 2005 at uni). We don't have a work WhatsApp group - if we did it would go on my work mobile and wouldn't touch my personal phone. There should be zero obligation to join this kind of shit, it just bleeds work life into home life unnecessarily.

4amWitchingHour · 02/02/2020 13:13

If they want to have a group chat for feedback and work ideas, they should use a work specific tool, or at least provide a work mobile if they want to use WhatsApp. It's unreasonable to expect the use of personal devices for work purposes.

trappedsincesundaymorn · 02/02/2020 13:21

I am not part of any work SM. I have no mention of them on FB, not even named as my employer. As for WhatsApp to ask people to get milk etc..here's an idea...ask them, in person. Why does anyone need to use a phone app for that??? Ridiculous .

Original poster
MaryQContrary · 02/02/2020 13:27

I think it was when the Manager said "we have a right laugh on there" that my heart really started to sink.

God I hope she's not on Mumsnet!

OP posts:
Thingsdogetbetter · 02/02/2020 13:33

I don't have WhatsApp so when extra keen work colleague wanted me on work group the week I started, I just said nope don't have one, don't want one - big smile, walked off. No problem. She later tried with work fb group. This time I just said nope don't want to. No repercussions. It's not compulsory. It's not part of your job requirements. If the 'feedback' is essential they can email you on your WORK email.

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