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Original poster

work whatsapp group and manager contact

13 replies

Londonnight · 08/05/2021 17:44

Is your work manager allowed to complain about issues work related on a work whatsapp group?
The Whatsapp was originally set up at the first lockdown so we could keep in touch with each other while we were furloughed, which was fine. But it is now being used to let us know of issues our manager has found with our work.
I find it really undermining, but not sure of our rights with this? It doesn't help that we have no HR we can speak about anything, and there is no one higher who will deal with any issues we have.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 08/05/2021 18:32

I'm no legal expert, but that doesn't sit right with me.

If there is an issue with anyone's work then it needs to be discussed individually with that person, not in a group chat.

Unless it is a general "Can everyone make sure they wash their mugs up when they have finished" type scenario.
But any issue with work needs to be e-mailed (at worst) or (better practice) a meeting arranged, things discussed with you and it all minuted.

Aprilx · 08/05/2021 20:15

I cannot imagine for a moment that there has been any legislation written to prevent managers from writing things in WhatsApp. So in that sense, no I don’t think there are rights as in employment rights.

It is however, very poor management. As a first step, could you and others in the same position, simply ask the manager not to do that?

Gizlotsmum · 08/05/2021 20:20

Interesting we have several works what apps and would often put general reminders in them (like another poster said something that was aimed at everyone) not something aimed at an individual... so one example would be a message saying please make sure this form is completed.

memost · 09/05/2021 12:55

We have countless work WhatsApp groups and they would be used at times as a general reminder for work related issues - individual issues would get an individual WhatsApp or something more serious would be a face to face.

Liliolla · 09/05/2021 13:02

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insancerre · 09/05/2021 16:05

Just leave the group
If they need to contact you then they will have to phone you
It’s important for a proper work life balance that you are not in constant contact with work

CantHaveTooMuchChocolate · 15/05/2021 15:04

@insancerre

Just leave the group If they need to contact you then they will have to phone you It’s important for a proper work life balance that you are not in constant contact with work
^This. You could even start another group without your manager in it*

*disclaimer this might not be a great idea if they find out!

daisychain01 · 16/05/2021 08:19

Is your work manager allowed to complain about issues work related on a work whatsapp group?

It is an extremely poor work practice to discuss performance-related matters in any electronic communications tool. I'm surprised (but not that surprised, knowing how badly some companies are run aka the Wild West) that this isn't covered in broad brush terms in your company's IT policy and HR policy.

It falls under general comms etiquette- it would be no different sending out a work issues email, to a distribution list, when the issue only applies to 1 or maybe two people. Depending on the nature of the matter it is exposing and violates individual privacy.

If you take serious issue with what's happening, I would immediately take yourself off the WhatsApp group as is your right, and email your manager to say you no longer want to be on that group and that anything that needs to be communicated to you needs to be done through official work channels, eg work email or verbally in a 1:1

You can never be reprimanded for doing that, I cannot imagine it's in your contract that "employees are mandated to use WhatsApp".

Take back control!

lazyarse123 · 16/05/2021 14:03

I would take yourself out of the group as has been suggested.
We had a manager who constantly messaged about sales figures, waste figures and stuff nobody could do anything about. Fortunately I don't have a smart phone so couldn't have whatsapp but every day he moaned at me to sort it, I just told him if he needed to contact me urgently just text or ring. I have absolutely no need to be glued to my phone unlike him who couldn't function without it.

QueenZoopla · 17/05/2021 22:44

How big is the group, OP? Agree that WhatsApp is completely the wrong forum. What do your colleagues think, do you know?
Watching this with interest - like you we started a group because of lockdown, now we are back to nearly normal and 1 person uses it day and night , messaging me about everyday work things on his day off. There are only 4 of us though so I feel funny about just leaving the group, I'd have to say why!

Original poster
Londonnight · 18/05/2021 09:32

@QueenZoopla it is small group, only 7/8 of us. Now that manager has started complaining on whatsapp on our days off and expecting a response I have taken myself off the group. Other staff agree she is out of order and don't like it, but they are afraid of her response if they take themselves off it. They know I have done, manager yet has not said anything, but I will tell her why if she asks.

OP posts:
incenseandpeppermints · 18/05/2021 12:28

How about someone removes manager from the group? They wouldn't know who did it Grin

QueenZoopla · 18/05/2021 13:49

Good for you, OP, sounds like the best way out of the whole issue! Lazy question (I could look it up!) - was there no way of removing yourself without the rest knowing ?

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