Left off work WhatsApp group

[IneffableCuriosity]

I’ve known for quite some time that there is a WhatsApp group where I work that I’m not a part of. I’ve heard a few colleagues taking about stuff from “the group” or mentioning a link someone has shared and when I’ve gone to find it in my emails, it’s obviously been shared in the WhatsApp (if it’s WhatsApp) group.

I’m not new and have been in the role for 12 years. I don’t really get much opportunity to socialise outside work as I live far away and have small kids but it’s just hurtful that no-one has ever thought to add me. The worse thing is that new colleagues are in it from what I’ve heard.

I do have a WhatsApp with a few colleagues that have been in the role a long time and I’m very close to.

I’m starting to obsess about this group and it’s starting to affect my mental health. I try to forget about it but then colleagues start talking about it again and I feel like shit 😔

It’s not a huge team, only about 15 members, I try and be logical and think it’s been an oversight.

Is it worth just asking someone I work with if there is a group and if I can be added to it? I’m so embarrassed as it’s not like I’m a new staff member.

Yeah just be bold and ask. Probably is an oversight. Even if not there's no way they can justify excluding you if there's work info in there.

I suffer from depression and am currently in a depressive episode, it’s hard to think rationally.

Thanks, I am thinking of just growing a pair and asking someone. I’m just embarrassed cos I’ve been there so long. I also can’t be sure if everyone is included in the group or if it’s more exclusive. I don’t want to ask if it’s not meant for everyone but I’m massively overthinking it probably 🙈

Just ask. You could even say "oh I sometimes miss work stuff that gets posted in there, can you add me? no worries about adding me if its a private group, but please email me any documents that might be relevant for me as I won't see them otherwise". It's just a work group, you're asking a work based question, try not to think of it as a personal thing.

From the sounds of it, it’s a mainly social group.

I worry about this sort of thing too. I honestly think that it's an oversight, especially if newer members of staff have been added.

I would just ask someone, say 'oh could you add me to the WhatsApp group please as I don't appear to be in that one'. It's usually the group admin who has to add and remove people, so you may have to find out who that is.

Just ask, it's possible that they may not know that you want to be in it, some people hate being involved in things like that! I had a similar situation and asked, it was no issue x

Probably an oversight, just ask!

Just ask. Say people keep talking about the group can I be added please?

It could be possible that the WhatsApp group was made for a specific and the chats carried on. I am in a WhatsApp group that was made for an event before I went on maternity. Since I’ve returned to work around half of my team have left but we still have this chat. There is new staff
members or staff that didn’t want to go to the event that aren’t in the chat.
it’s usually used for social things but now and again something work related gets
mentioned xx

They may assume you don't want to be in it if you've never asked, just ask and say would someone mind adding me to the group.

I'd ask - probably a mistake, but personally to not be in a work whatsapp group is a blessing in disguise!

I’m not in the work one and it’s a blessing really - a total blessing. I wasn’t added and I haven’t asked. 😂

Do you all have a good relationship outside of this? If so, I agree with everyone else, just ask. If you feel awkward doing that, wait until there's an ideal opportunity. Wait until someone's laughing about something clearly related to the group and then ask what the hilarity's about. When someone says "it's something (insert name here) posted in the group" just play dumb and say "that sounds hilarious, what is this group about?". They're either going to say "Oh aren't you in it? We'll add you" and problem solved or they're going to say "Oh it's just for (insert reason here)." and then glaze over it without an invitation. Either way, you'll know where you stand but you won't have put yourself too far our on the line.

I was the same. But I realised that they were friends and im a colleague

Im in whats app groups with my friends