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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

For finding work WhatsApp groups to be too intrusive

31 replies

nhsminion · 01/08/2022 15:10

I'm a doctor in the NHS. At the last count I have about 8 different work WhatsApp groups.
The groups are formed to keep in touch with colleagues about patients and their plans (which is effective).
However, I find that it's hard to ever switch off as colleagues message at weekends, evenings and holidays. It would not be acceptable to leave the groups as they have become the mainstream way to communicate over the old bleep system.
It's constributing to me and many of my colleagues feeling extremely burnt-out.
Is there anyone on here that can think of a solution?

OP posts:
SteveHarringtonsChestHair · 01/08/2022 15:11

Can you mute the groups on your days off? Or are you expected to be contactable at all times?

scoobycute · 01/08/2022 15:19

I totally agree. I'm a theatre sister in NHS and our watsapps are constantly inundated with shifts needing covered/available - these ones don't bother me so much because the department needs covered as so short staffed.

The ones that bother me are from micromanaging bosses at 7pm on a Friday evening (after no understanding of the absolute shit show that has gone on that day) "can all staff be reminded not to leave equipment here or in this state or remember to order X Y and Z blah blah blah"

Firstly no one cares and secondly write it in an email!!!

Bring in the "Right to Disconnect" law I say! Or at least departments need to implement strict rules about what things are watsapp worthy and what things can wait until Monday in an email.

Drives me insane and I have most of them archived

scoobycute · 01/08/2022 15:21

Oh also..We still use bleep system in work and work mobiles for calls.

Is there any confidentiality laws surrounding use of patient details on watsapps? Because the mobile phones are personal ones rather than work? Just wondering.

Forpoxsake · 01/08/2022 15:26

I’m surprised at the sharing of patients details - we aren’t allowed to share any users details over WhatsApp in the area I work in, especially on personal phones that are usually accessible by others.
As an aside I put screen time limits on my phone so unless I physically go and check WhatsApp I don’t even get the little notification badge

bookish83 · 01/08/2022 15:31

I feel really Confused at the GDPR around this

your trust could use siilo which is a secure messaging system and one where you can 'ignore' it but turning notifications off on your days off etc

CactusBlossom · 01/08/2022 15:36

Archive at times when you are not available - weekends, holiday, etc. Then remove from archive when you are available.

Original poster
nhsminion · 01/08/2022 15:39

Just to clarify patient identifiable details are not shared in the WhatsApp. Just jobs that need doing, and any important results/ updates but no identifiable information. Rota issues, cover, etc as well,.

OP posts:
TakeYourFinalPosition · 01/08/2022 15:41

I’m in 26 at the moment for work. It’s insanity but it works. I’ve got good at muting them as I walk out the door!

Itloggedmeoutagain · 01/08/2022 15:43

Mute on your days off
The more you reply the more it will be used

MontagueLeo · 01/08/2022 15:46

There is no obligation on NHS doctors to own and maintain a smartphone, much less to be a member of any WhatsApp groups.

You can refuse to participate. If enough people do this, then an alternative solution will have to be found. A plausible alternative solution would be to switch the groups over to Microsoft Teams, which most Trusts already subscribe to. This has the benefit of being an app that most people don't use for social purposes that can be muted or indeed deleted outside of working hours.

yellowcarpetflair · 01/08/2022 15:50

We've had similar things going on (NHS senior AHP) - covid meant WhatsApp came to the fore for communication. Then it got out of hand. It's not the right way to be communicating about patient jobs....

I just put on all the groups that I was struggling to switch off from work with the endless messages (no one wants you off sick....) so in order to put some boundaries in, I was coming out of the groups for a while....obviously I never went back and many other people followed. Those groups are very quiet and not used now. Managers also had to step in and say something about it not being a professional and appropriate method of communication on clinical issues.

Bubblebubblebah · 01/08/2022 15:52

You can archive them and just check them whenever you feel you want to.

gogogotop · 01/08/2022 15:52

Completely agree, was terrible for my mental health and well being. Always felt slightly on call or worried I would see something about a patient and then stress about what had gone wrong.
I raised in with HR and they couldn't have cared less.

Toddlerteaplease · 01/08/2022 15:54

I muted both of my wards watsapp groups. It was far too intrusive. I'm so much more relaxed now.

Toddlerteaplease · 01/08/2022 15:55

We would absolutely never speak about patients on our ward watsapp! Can't believe it's allowed.

rookiemere · 01/08/2022 16:10

I would announce that you're muting them when out of work as it's impacting your ability to switch off when not working.
Tell people that if there is anything specific they need you to address outside your shifts to text you on your mobile instead.

LittleBearPad · 01/08/2022 16:12

Moving to Teams is a good plan. Easy to mute and not mixed up with your personal WhatsApp’s. If not possible then mute, mute, mute!

Battlecat98 · 01/08/2022 16:30

We communicate via WhatsApp regarding shift cover, it seems to be the expectation, I do mute but I hate it as I always feel connected to work, I then worry as I know when we are short and dread it. Everyone therefore uses their smart phone for work business. I was recently asked to download a audit app on my phone😲. I refused and won't be able to said audit until they install it elsewhere.

DottyLittleRainbow · 01/08/2022 16:37

I second this, WhatsApp has taken over and these kinds of groups are a nightmare.

I have a work phone for my NHS job and asked for the team WhatsApp to be work phones only, had to leave the previous group as was far too intrusive - now I only get messages on days off.

Do you have a separate phone for work you could use instead? Or otherwise I would suggest to mute or leave the groups and ask for emails about anything urgent.

Being messaged constantly during days/time off is not a contractual obligation. Protect your mental health and personal life outside of work.

DenholmElliot1 · 01/08/2022 16:38

I've just cracked and brought myself a second phone so now I have a workphone and my own phone - my workphone goes off the second I walk out of the door and i turn it on again about an hour before my next shift. I work in the care industry but got sick of being treated like the on-call carer!

DottyLittleRainbow · 01/08/2022 16:38

*only get messages on days on

Subaru4336 · 01/08/2022 16:49

Another option is a 2nd virtual sim, which you can use solely for your work whatsapp groups.

I do this, and use WhatsApp for Business, which is a separate app, with my virtual sim. This means I don't even have to see the groups and notifications when I'm not working.

France98 · 01/08/2022 16:54

We have one big WhatsApp group for my work. It was initially started during lockdown for us all to keep in touch and provide important updates etc.

However, since then, it's become the only tool for communication within the workplace. I only work 3 days per week and was being inundated with messages. It then turned into birthday messages for people, photos of their kids and their dogs etc. I tried muting it but found I had zillions of Crap to work through when I looked into the chat.

I ended up leaving the group. I genuinely don't care if it's frowned down upon, I know I'm the only one not in workplace to be in it. I just feel like it's an inappropriate way to be in contact with staff and I don't need it in my life.

You need a work/life balance and anything infringing on that has to go.

lastminutedotcom22 · 01/08/2022 23:00

I work in the nhs and we have one for our team (admin based) and it gets ridiculous people posting all sorts of shit

Eg I'm selling this bike does anyone want it?

I've had this fab new pizza for tea

I've been to (selfie with landmark) #livingmybestlife blah blah blah

It's horrendous mine is muted I barely look at it anymore it's got ridiculous

Fupoffyagrasshole · 01/08/2022 23:09

I hear you! I work in payroll and people have started to think it’s ok to WhatsApp me when there are mistakes/queries/to give me their overtime hours etc! It was seeping into my life outside of work evenings weekends days off

I had to push back and basically I archive the work group chat after work and days off so I’m not seeing anything come in

i also have made it clear that any WhatsApp’s will just get lost amongst all my other messages so if they have queries or anything they need to email work email and I will see it when I am next in.

if you hit archive on the group it goes away to a different folder and you can easily unarchive it then when you are back in and catch up then - but you have to make a real conscious decision to do this as it’s so easy for it to come into your every day life otherwise