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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to be in a work WhatsApp group?

102 replies

workwhatsapp · 22/12/2021 07:26

I got added to a work WhatsApp group when it was originally created sometime last year and it really annoys me. They don't really use it during work hours, but every evening and even on most weekends it's pinging constantly talking about work.

I'm a part time employee with young kids and a life. When I leave work I don't think about work until I am next in work. I don't want to spend my evenings chatting about it with my colleagues. I muted it straight away but sometimes don't click on it for a while and it will have 100s of messages and it shows everyone I haven't opened it and then I get comments made to me about it.

AIBU to just leave and tell them the frequency of messaging is too much in my spare time and I would rather not be in the group at all then be dug our for not opening and replying to the messages in it?

OP posts:
happychristmasbum · 22/12/2021 13:43

I just told work I didn't do WA and deleted it.

QuestionNumberOne · 22/12/2021 13:44

Mute and archive.

namechangetheworld · 22/12/2021 14:08

I'm part time with two young children too OP, and keep getting 'encouraged' to join the work WhatsApp group. I don't have WhatsApp, thank god, and just make vague noncommittal noises every time they suggest I download it. I'm really sociable in work time and get on well with my colleagues, but I'm not getting into the habit of answering work queries when I'm not getting bloody paid for it.

AngelsEyeball · 22/12/2021 14:23

Muted mine, and now manager messages me and says:Angels have you seen the shit that’s in group .. knows I don’t bother checking group

CounsellorTroi · 22/12/2021 14:29

@FlamingoQueen

WhatsApp have changed their rules and you are no longer allowed to use it for work purposes (they got a massive fine for something). So, the group should be shut down or you at least can leave the group.
I wonder if that was something to do with data protection or freedom of information. Anything you say about a work matter or a client for example could potentially be disclosable under an FOI request
TractorAndHeadphones · 22/12/2021 14:41

YANBU they can’t force people to be in it

Chunkymonkey13 · 22/12/2021 14:42

I left mine, no explanation just just annoyed at the constant dribble and left the group, a few people have followed suit and I’ve started a revolt. Do it!!!

Heatherjayne1972 · 22/12/2021 14:44

WhatsApp is The bane of my life
I have two jobs and seven groups between them plus a few individual people from each workplace
I dare not remove myself from the groups - it would be noticed and mentioned
So they’re all muted and archived. I just delete the content every so often

WindyState · 22/12/2021 14:47

You need to establish a firm boundry between your work life and your personal life. Unless I'm at my desk (either at home or in the office) and/or travelling for work I do not deal with work related stuff, end of story.

Don't give out your personal phone number unless its for personal reasons. If your work needs a way to send messages out then they should be using teams or slack, not communicating via people's personal devices. If you have been aded to a work whatsapp, then leave and tell people to communicate with you in a professional way.

NameChangeCity123 · 22/12/2021 14:49

I had the same and binned it - it was liberating!

DaisyNGO · 22/12/2021 14:53

I am due to return to the workplace after a few years out

I'm going to have to get a separate work phone aren't I?

The way things seem to be now, I'm not sure anywhere can be trusted to keep private stuff private. No way would I join a work WhatsApp. I don't even use it myself.

AnotherOneWithNoGoodName · 22/12/2021 14:55

Mute, archive and ignore.
Or just leave if you like.

Butchyrestingface · 22/12/2021 14:56

I would just let colleague know that you don't look at the messages outside of work hours. I'd perhaps refrain from saying you don't look because you "have a life", as per your OP.

Presumably there's nothing urgent being disclosed in their out-of-hours messages?

KeranaCosmonauts · 22/12/2021 15:05

The way we communicate has changed, you'll look pretty odd if you just left the group and it will be interpreted as a passive aggressive gesture.You may be labelled as "not a team player". Not saying it's right, but that's how it is. If I were you I'd just mute it, check in from time to time and make some small talk. If you're checking social media in your free time anyway it won't require that much extra effort.

KatherineJaneway · 22/12/2021 15:10

@workwhatsapp

As I said I muted it straight away, but there are comments being made about me not opening the messages and not replying to stuff
Sorry OP, I missed where you said you muted it.

I'd tell them you are very busy with your kids and only look at it occasionally. Only thing though, don't come across as 'I'm a part time employee with young kids and a life'. I have a life but use WhatsApp.

OwlNChips · 22/12/2021 15:12

I wouldn't even join the work Teams thing let alone WhatsApp. I only work one day a week and I just don't need this hassle. Companies managed a few years ago without having 24 hour access to their staff and I think you should leave the group and tell your work that you don't do any chat or messenger type apps

TreborBore · 22/12/2021 15:16

I use WhatsApp for work, but only with my work mobile number and I always ask permission before adding people’s numbers. Is it not a breach of privacy for someone to add a personal mobile no to a WhatsApp group without the phone owner’s explicit permission?

eniledam · 22/12/2021 15:17

My mum got added to her work group chat and she immediately just left the chat. She gives zero fucks Grin

AnotherOneWithNoGoodName · 22/12/2021 15:29

Oh also there are settings that stop you being added to groups, so use those! You'll get an "invite" but it expires.

AndARiverBeneathYourFeet · 22/12/2021 15:41

yabu, my memes and pet photographs are hilarious and must be seen by all.

Joking OP. They get a bit much, muting is your best option.

allofthecheese · 22/12/2021 15:46

I have mine on mute.

TurquoiseDragon · 22/12/2021 16:32

I'm in a team of 3, and we have a group for emergencies only. I get very few nessages this way, nearly everything is via work email and teams in normal working hours.

Ionlydomassiveones · 22/12/2021 16:45

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

JustALittleHelpPlease · 22/12/2021 18:53

Just delete the app? No one knows you don't have it. You never see anything again - including shitty comments. If anyone asks just say you don't have it anymore. Sorted. (That's how I dealt with my enforced work WhatsApp anyway)

Hawkins001 · 22/12/2021 18:58

@workwhatsapp

I got added to a work WhatsApp group when it was originally created sometime last year and it really annoys me. They don't really use it during work hours, but every evening and even on most weekends it's pinging constantly talking about work.

I'm a part time employee with young kids and a life. When I leave work I don't think about work until I am next in work. I don't want to spend my evenings chatting about it with my colleagues. I muted it straight away but sometimes don't click on it for a while and it will have 100s of messages and it shows everyone I haven't opened it and then I get comments made to me about it.

AIBU to just leave and tell them the frequency of messaging is too much in my spare time and I would rather not be in the group at all then be dug our for not opening and replying to the messages in it?

To be honest, I prefer it to be busy, work pays the bills, and if I can browse mumsnet, or other random bits, a few mins catchup on the work wattsapp, is easy to achieve, plus keeps me in the loop even if the information would not always be relevant to my department.