To question WhatsApp group on personal phone for work?

[Diedre44]

WFH permanently small team Customer Service for local government housing association. Got an email from manager today stating for business continuity and case of emergency everyone needs to be contactable and if don't already have it please download WhatsApp and let us know when you have so we can create a WhatsApp group.
I'm just confused as to why we are being "told" to do something on our own personal phones. I do not use my personal phone for work. I am contactable by telephone, I'm available on teams whilst working, email etc.
My manager knows I have WhatsApp already, we speak outside of work on occasion. I just find this strange all of a sudden.
I don't know how to approach it with them as don't want to seem to have an issue. Surely if it is needed as a "needs of business" issue they should provide a work phone.
AIBU to be sceptical?

If you don’t want to be in a WhatsApp group on your personal phone then you don’t have to.

Since when was WhatsApp even an official form of communications in workplaces?

We use a work what’s app group for quick queries but everyone has a work mobile and people can choose whether they use work mobile or personal one

We have a group chat for work but it was set up organically, we were not forced to and we’re not forced to be in it. We literally only use it if we can’t get onto our laptops to let people know or to check en masse if everyone’s system is down or just yours.

Something just feels off about it. Feels like a bit of an invasion tbh. I know most won't even think twice about it, I don't know how to broach it without seeming like a whiny twat. 😂

If it’s for business continuity, it will be for urgent messages when company systems may be down.

When we worked in offices, could be something like, fire in the building attend alternate work place / stay at home etc.

If they have your personal phone number and your happy to receive a call in an emergency then why not receive a written instruction via what’s app? I would be very clear it’s for that purpose only and you won’t be responding to any other work whats apps.

We have one and it’s useful and not invasive. If the IT systems are down we post on it, etc etc. Nothing major or personal and no jokes. It’s just a formal group for work related issues if the systems are down or something.

We have group chats set up with personal contact details for true emergency situations. Not had to use it for a while but did when there was a suspected terrorist attack close to where we work. Quickest way to account for everyone as people will keep their personal phones with them.

I manage a small team and have set up a WhatsApp group for which we all use our personal phones. However I make it very clear that this is entirely optional for everyone, and that we don't use it to discuss important (or identifying) work matters. We use MS Teams on our work laptops for that. The WhatsApp group is just used for light hearted chat or a quick message such as 'I'm running late'. It's also entirely for individuals to decide whether they want to engage with the chat, especially during non-working hours.

Are you worried about the enhanced level of contactibility they are asking for, or simply about having to use your own phone?

It feels like a bit of a grey area. Presumably it is useful for them to have a workable back-up contact if the remote-office IT fails, and they are trying to choose a method that is maximally convenient for everyone.

It is mildly intrusive, but we are all groping towards new mores for remote working and Iwould feel ok with using WhatsApp in this way -- provided it genuinely was an emergency/continuity resource .

The only concern would be if it involved you sharing your number with colleagues you dindn't want to share it with. Your employers would need to be on the ball about privacy and data protection.

I don't get why you are worried about it OP?

It's just another way to communicate with the team and they have explained the reasoning why, if you are unsure maybe ask for clarification.

We have a work what's app that we share photos on for when we are out and also always set one up when we do events it is very informal for like I'm getting breakfast at 7.30 type messages.

I would consider this a big violation of my personal privacy and I think from a legal point of view, it is. Anyone in this group can see your personal phone number once you join it. If they want you to join a work what’s app group they can provide you with a work phone.

I removed myself from a work WhatsApp group. It was set up during the pandemic under the guise of continuing support for the team. Its still continuing. I didn't ask for this and was just added to the group. It very quickly became unmanageable. I received messages out of hours and on the weekend and it was particularly annoying first thing in the morning when everyone started wishing each other good morning before I was even dressed! It felt as though it was becoming a competition to show who started work earliest and finished latest. On top of that, it was impossible to keep track of any actual work related info because there were so many pointless "chat" replies. I removed myself and no one said anything. I think when it's your personal phone they can't really request that you are linked into work 24/7. They can suggest it but I don't think it could be enforced unless they provided you with an actual work mobile.

For example my internet Was down this morning so I let my work colleagues know by the what’s app group.

I find work related whatsapp groups are only for bullying and harrassment. I wouldn't join, if they want to contact me they can either provide a suitable work phone or if it's an emergency, get my personal details from HR and call me.

I'm not worried about it. I just don't understand why if it's a needs of business/continuity request why on own phone. I have my read receipts switched off on WA and can guarantee I'll be told to change it, they will monitor showing online/typing. Feels like another way to snoop on you.

I've just started a new job and was added to the work WhatsApp group by my manager. I don't particularly like work WhatsApp groups so I have just muted and archived it.

You are right to question.

It sets a dangerous president and expectation. A work group chat is fine on a company phone. It can be used during hours and on-call rotas.

Sure you can be added to a personal group that includes work friends but, it's informal, personal and primarily not work related.

What will the expectation be.. Will they use this as evidence that things have been communicated to you? Are you expected to respond? It's not right that you should have to distribute your personal contact details to work colleagues that you might not want to.

If it’s simply for business continuity and emergencies then the purpose of it will be to communicate with everyone really quickly (useful in an emergency), rather than call everyone individually.
You could tell your manager that you agree to being in the group but only for that purpose. Then if it starts being used for other things, just let them know you’ll have to be contacted by phone in an emergency and are leaving the group.

I find work related whatsapp groups are only for bullying and harrassment. I wouldn't join, if they want to contact me they can either provide a suitable work phone or if it's an emergency, get my personal details from HR and call me.

I'm sorry for your bad experience, but that clearly isn't true for thousands upon thousands of groups across the country.

This is normal in every place I’ve ever worked and it will often be getting messages evenings and all weekend.
it’s annoying but I’ve never worked anywhere that didn’t have one. It wouldn’t be my hill to die on but I can see why it would be for others
if you WFH and no one ever sees your phone, can you not just say you have a super old phone that just doesn’t have space for WhatsApp? Or some slightly more believable lie

It’s a good point though about colleagues seeing your personal phone number if you don’t want them to.

They can only snoop, if you write anything in the group,

A friend i know came out of our group for similar thinking @Diedre44

Also with a work phone you can expect people to keep it nearby and on during certain hours of the day. People might choose to not use their personal phone for a variety of reasons and don’t owe their work an explanation for that. I would be very very uncomfortable about all of this. Their request is imo unprofessional and I wonder what the HR department has to say about it.

I'd hate this, they have your number and can text you if needed!! I'd say something like

"Hi manager, hope you're well.

Unfortunately I cannot join the proposed whatsapp group. I am fully available during the shifts that I’m scheduled for, but when I’m not working, I have other commitments and cannot always respond outside of my scheduled hours, because I’m often away from my phone, don't always have app notifications turned on or are otherwise not available, so the best way of contacting me outside of work is by text or leaving a voicemail.

Thanks a lot, xyz"
I would push back, what is really an emergency in a customer service role? I guess maintenance issues with housing etc. Which is fine with a call or text.. plus you should be paid for any work that goes on outside of your shift hours. I would be concerned they start using the group for chat and work info, schedule stuff which would really annoy me. I like to clock out and that's that!