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Outside working hours

5 replies

NicknamesAreAPain · 22/04/2025 18:36

I've recently returned to work after 1year of MAT leave. Same workplace different boss.

Like most workplaces we have a WhatsApp for communication around work, my boss is very committed and communicative. Which is fine. There is an expectation that we read and respond to these messages even outside of work hours. This WhatsApp group is on out personal phones. The rest of our team is relatively happy for this to be the case, but I really am not. I feel like it was never a problem before but get the sense it is now. I give 100% while in work but really do treasure my time with my family outside of it. I work parttime and often when returning after my days off there are in excess of 150 messages. Its assumed that I will read these and be up to date, but work is very full on and finding time on Monday morning is difficult. I always ask when retuning at the start of the week if there's anything important I've missed, often told no only to find there is and I'm chastised for not be aware. 'It was on the group'.

I have an appraisal very soon and very much feel as though this will go against me. I suppose what am asking (finally!) Is am I right to not read and respond to these messages? ( I've always made it clear if its of great importance to contact me directly. That's of course absolutely fine. ) do I have a a leg stand on? I've had a quick Google and im aware of the rumblings the not yet come to pass 'right to disconnect' but can't find anything definitive to help.
I would just like to go into my review with sound facts and not just my assumptions. Thank you for your help.

OP posts:
drspouse · 22/04/2025 18:52

Does your contract have a mention of your actual hours, and does your HR have any policies on work life balance?

Mrsttcno1 · 22/04/2025 19:38

Is the Whatsapp even an essential part of your role, and required for your job? We have a work team Whatsapp group but it’s really a social chat one, not for work discussions and although sometimes things related to work may be mentioned you certainly wouldn’t be chastised if you didn’t see it, there would be an email.

If I was you I’d send an email tomorrow to manager asking if it is a requirement to be in the Whatsapp, ask for direction to where in your contract it states that. If it doesn’t, remove yourself.

NicknamesAreAPain · 22/04/2025 20:21

Thank you so much for your advice. I have emailed the HR manager, you guys gave me the confidence to do so. Thank you

OP posts:
ScaryM0nster · 22/04/2025 20:23

As an interim measure, I’d suggest blocking out 15 minutes on Monday mornings to catch up on WhatsApp messages before you start anything else.

That way you’re acting on the expectation that you keep up with what’s covered on the group.

Newyorklady · 22/04/2025 21:01

I’d be interested to know what your Manager is communicating to you all out of work hours.
is it anything that can wait until the next day.
If it isn’t something to do with say tomorrow’s shift then it needs to wait.
Otherwise you manager has no boundaries and is not respecting your personal time..
I manage a large team and have only ever What’s apps once outside of work hours to communicate about being advised not to travel the next day if weather adverse.
i had my teams permission to do this.
Anything else waits until business hours.

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