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Original poster

Family pics on work group..

26 replies

RedMake88 · 16/04/2022 17:51

A work colleague has just messaged me to ask if I was offended in any way by her posting a couple of family pics on our work group. So basically 6 of us in a team. Our boss posted a couple of pics last year of him and his family in Ibiza. Since then another director posted a couple of pics.

For info this group is work people but not work convo - so in lockdown it was used to set up quizzes, just checking in on people etc also more recently we arrange a lottery syndicate on it. People send random jokes etc occasionally it might be who is going into office today can pick up a coffee etc

Anyway she posted two pics of her Easter hols with her family - last week. We all said oh looks lovely etc

Anyway she’s just got a message from our boss saying it’s not appropriate to put family pics on the work group - that it’s just for the adults etc and about work stuff/jokes but not family pics!! I was like wtf has just rattled his cage and told her he’s totally being unreasonable. She’s been accused of over sharing!

OP posts:
AnneKipankitoo · 16/04/2022 17:52

It’s alright for the bosses but not for the rest obviously.

onemouseplace · 16/04/2022 17:58

If I was her I'd just message him straight back to say 'sorry, thought it was ok as you posted pics last year. I understand now it's not ok and won't do that again' and make him realise he's being a bit of a tit.

VladmirsPoutine · 16/04/2022 18:03

I agree with him but of course he's being hypocritical given he's already done the same. But no. It's not acceptable and really I don't understand why so many people want their colleagues knowing about the ins and outs of their personal lives so much. Please just could everyone stop over-sharing things with their colleagues so much. He shouldn't have done so in the first place but she shouldn't have joined in the madness either.

Whatsmyname100 · 16/04/2022 18:05

How can he say that when he's done the same? She should ask him that

Optimisiticcautiouslyso · 16/04/2022 18:11

Don’t get involved
The boss has stated his preference
It has changed from a year ago. That’s no relevant

Original poster
RedMake88 · 16/04/2022 18:12

Hmm he’s an over sharer when it suits him but only him.

OP posts:
Optimisiticcautiouslyso · 16/04/2022 18:12

Did the boss photos contain pictures of children?

Original poster
RedMake88 · 16/04/2022 18:23

Yes! They did I just had a quick look to check. His is a beach pic hers is a outside a castle pic. The other director has one of his kids in the pic.

OP posts:
Optimisiticcautiouslyso · 16/04/2022 18:26

Fact is, a year ago.

And the boss doesn’t want the work WhatsApp group to be re family photos

Had be been also sending loads, well that would be odd. But he sent a couple a year ago and since then he’d like to keep it work related.

And that’s his prerogative. Not a big deal. She’s making it one but pulling you in to it

Optimisiticcautiouslyso · 16/04/2022 18:29

Plus during lockdown / continuing restrictions - virtual work communication all for much more blurred with home life

Now we are through that

Spaghag · 16/04/2022 18:30

We have a work WhatsApp group. It's mainly support TBH (NHS team. It's tough at times) but that can be work related or just life related. One colleague posted a few photos of a family wedding recently, and another posted a photo of their child collecting a special award.

I think it's nice to see your colleagues as the whole person, not just their role at work. I guess it does depend on the unspoken rules of the group however.

Optimisiticcautiouslyso · 16/04/2022 18:32

@RedMake88

A work colleague has just messaged me to ask if I was offended in any way by her posting a couple of family pics on our work group. So basically 6 of us in a team. Our boss posted a couple of pics last year of him and his family in Ibiza. Since then another director posted a couple of pics.

For info this group is work people but not work convo - so in lockdown it was used to set up quizzes, just checking in on people etc also more recently we arrange a lottery syndicate on it. People send random jokes etc occasionally it might be who is going into office today can pick up a coffee etc

Anyway she posted two pics of her Easter hols with her family - last week. We all said oh looks lovely etc

Anyway she’s just got a message from our boss saying it’s not appropriate to put family pics on the work group - that it’s just for the adults etc and about work stuff/jokes but not family pics!! I was like wtf has just rattled his cage and told her he’s totally being unreasonable. She’s been accused of over sharing!

“Accused of over sharing”

Op you are inflaming a situation. The boss has asked for no family pics. Fair enough.

TulipsTwoLips · 16/04/2022 18:36

That’s fair enough, but if the boss wants to change the rules, they need to say, not just tell people off for not being psychic!

TiptowThroughTheToadstools · 16/04/2022 18:48

Although it's a group of work colleagues, it's not a work chat, ie falling under management structure, so the boss actually doesn't have any say in what is posted there.

Optimisiticcautiouslyso · 16/04/2022 20:23

@TulipsTwoLips

That’s fair enough, but if the boss wants to change the rules, they need to say, not just tell people off for not being psychic!
“Tell someone off”

He privately contacted one of his employee to say
* saying it’s not appropriate to put family pics on the work group - that it’s just for the adults etc and about work stuff/jokes but not family pics*

Original poster
RedMake88 · 17/04/2022 07:40

Whatsapp police gone mad I reckon but I’ll give her the overall opinion. Plus I think a PP mentioned lockdown etc I think it was prob more appropriate then but now work has gone back to normal to keep kids out of it.

OP posts:
LittleRedRidingHood187 · 17/04/2022 07:44

Another reason not to be in a work chat

Original poster
RedMake88 · 17/04/2022 07:49

Yes deffo no need now for whatsapp group chat but if she or I leave then at the moment it could be related to being about the photos.

It was a tool of the lockdown.

OP posts:
Ridingoverthewaves · 17/04/2022 07:53

I’m baffled as to how saying you have a DS(9) and a DD(7) and a Labrador is “over sharing” Confused

IcedOatLatte · 17/04/2022 08:29

Does this really matter?

No one needs to share family photos, the boss doesnt want it to be done so don't do it. It's annoying in the moment but nothing more than that. She can either ignore him or say she didn't realise as others have shared similar photos but no one's life is negatively impacted by not sharing a holiday snap

Etinoxaurus · 17/04/2022 08:56

Is everyone missing that Boss shared family photos?

PonyPatter44 · 17/04/2022 09:00

Maybe the boss has been told by HIS boss that sharing family photos on groups linked to work needs to stop. Its possible that something has happened in a similar group in another part of the company, and now management are cracking down on it.

Original poster
RedMake88 · 17/04/2022 10:52

The boss has no boss! He is boss man. It’s a shame that she was singled out. I’ve just had a look through the whatsapp group and spotted another photo of boss and kids. Also realised the other director’s photo is when he brought his kids into the office and boss man is with him in the photo! Thankfully I’ve not posted any photos, have just seen friend did a couple of year ago post pic of her kids first day at school so it’s her second pic.

OP posts:
Original poster
RedMake88 · 17/04/2022 10:53

Other people without kids have posted pics of themselves with their partner on holiday and random pet pics

OP posts:
Bumblefuzz · 17/04/2022 11:08

The rules may have changed, but that should have been stated. The easiest way would have been to close the original group and start a new one, explaining the new etiquette. I would be inclined to suggest this and leave the original group.

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