To not like impromptu calls on MS Teams?

[AlertBird]

I really dislike when people randomly call me on Teams without any warning. A quick message first would be nice! It always feels intrusive, especially when I’m in the middle of something or not in the right headspace for a call.

AIBU to find this annoying? Do most people just answer, or do you ignore and pretend you’re away?

🤣

I see MS teams as the same as you being in the office. If I would walk up to your desk to discuss something, I will teams you without sending a pre message.

What I hate more than anything is receiving a teams message like "Can I ask you something?"
I usually wait a few minutes then respond "sure"

If you are someone who does that, why don't you put what you want to ask in the message? For example "have you got a minute to talk about xxxx" or, you know, just call without the time wasting non message.

I've got a personal rule that, if I miss a call (phone or teams) and the caller doesn't leave a message then I won't call them back.

I really hate that too, and phone calls.

When people at my workplace Teams call me, most of them have their video camera on too, so I feel I have to put mine. We have a rule that we must always have our cameras on in Teams meetings - I detest the pressure of that.

I don't understand what pressure there is? Why is it 'pressure' to be seen during a meeting in person, or on teams or however a meeting is being conducted?

Thankfully, we got shut of teams in our office when everyone returned after covid. We simply go with the human approach of speaking in person, speaking on the phone or texting.

If I’m green then I’m good to go. Once a month or so I need to put myself on DND to meet a regular deadline and if I’ve got other things that are especially pressing I will do it too. In the same way as that if I were in the office I’d move from my desk to an empty meeting room and shut myself away to finish something without distractions.
we work in teams and it’s helpful to be available to each other so i’ll always answer when I can, it’s literally part of my job to work with my colleagues!

I don't like it either. I find (generalising but true in my case) it's mainly older or senior staff who ring straight up, and younger staff message first / schedule a call for later (like on phones).

Truthfully, I also often sit on the sofa with my laptop (I know I know...) but prefer to look more 'professional' on a call by hopping to the table next door. So I want the opportunity to say 'yes fine', then just up myself across, which takes marginally more time than someone typically holds on ringing for.

And very occasionally I'm still in my PJs and want to grab a jumper to put over me. So, yep, there's that too. Which isn't a good reason, but a truthful one!

But, most of the time, the reason I don't like it is because I am available, but I would find it better to be asked 'are you free for a call?', me reply 'yep give me 3 mins to finish this email and Ill call you', complete the task while you're in that headspace, then call. The DNB button does not work for this - I'm not really 'officially' uninterruptible doing something that needs 100% concentration, I just want to complete my work tasks in way where the email gets sent before the 15 minute call rather than after when it will only take 3 minutes more

Why do I care? For me, it's just being in control of my tasks. If I have in my head I'm doing one task, and get diverted to another by the unscheduled call, I find this more stressful than having it scheduled. It's only a little bit more stressful, I can cope - but I notice it. Everyone knows that 'running around doing a gazzilion things at once' is stressful. It's just a micro-version of that. Why have that stress at all if a little message can be sent?

@namechangeGOT

For me it’s when I’m working from home and is the only time I can properly concentrate and get in the zone, and then I have to be seen. It feels invasive. I always use a background, but I just hate being forced to be on camera.
It isn’t as bad for me (but I still don’t like it) when I’m on the office and have to take part in teams meetings.

Most people do msg first but occasionally someone will randomly call often to bring me into another meeting for a quick question, or just to ask something quickly. I don't mind too much as it doesn't happen often.

It has replaced the fone so in that way folk wld just call u unexpectedly.

I don't ever not answer unless I'm already in another mtg.

I miss being in an office and answering a landline phone, those were the days!