Workgroup chat etiquette

13 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 14,2023 at 10:13PM UTC

   No - perhaps there’s too much unproductive chatter that is detracting them from getting their work done. Some people just don’t function as well with group chats. Talk to them and just ask if everything is ok. Why did they leave the group chat? Never make any assumptions about anyone.

2. VerityFebruary 14,2023 at 11:47PM UTC

   Not really - maybe there's too much talking about things other than the project. Or perhaps they just needed a break (like an impulse leave).

   I recommend speaking with them to clear things up. You should never take it as an indication of the person removing themselves from the project without properly speaking to them about it.

   If they are leaving, ask why and create a report to monitor if a pattern emerges for anyone.

3. VerityFebruary 14,2023 at 11:49PM UTC

   Personally, I rarely talk in group chats as it is too unpredictable and overwhelming. This could also contribute as to why they might have left. Or perhaps they thought it was not beneficial to them.

4. AnonymousFebruary 15,2023 at 1:08PM UTC

   There are 4 of us in the group and we only chat about the project within that space. We were coordinating schedules for a meeting. The person who left suggested Friday, but another group member is out of office Friday. Since we couldn’t meet on her preferred day, she left the group chat without another word to anyone.

5. AnonymousFebruary 15,2023 at 2:49PM UTC

   Perhaps Friday was the only day she had an opening, and she felt like she wasn't being heard when her suggestion was shut down. How well was it explained? One problem with chat, text, and email is that there is no body language, inflection, or tone, so often, people insert those into the text when that was not intended. Diplomacy and word choice in text and chat is crucial, but things are often misconstrued, even with the best word choices.

6. AnonymousFebruary 15,2023 at 4:00PM UTC

   When I scheduled the meeting, her calendar was open all day Wednesday and Thursday with only one meeting that our larger work group has weekly. This was the conversation

   Me: does everyone have time tomorrow to meet about the content for a March?

   C1: yes

   C2: in the morning, I’m leaving at 2

   C3: tomorrow does not work for me.

   Me: C3, what day works for you?

   C3: what is the meeting about? Content?

   Me: yes, our regular meeting to determine the topic and content for March and assign tasks.

   C3: what topics were you thinking?

   Me: we have several options they have been suggested, we’ll want to discuss which is most appropriate and how to approach it. What day is best for you?

   C3: Friday.

   C2: sorry, I will be out of office.

   C1: I have time Wednesday or Thursday. We need the content ready by next Friday, right?

   Me: yes. The go live is 2/24.

   C3: *leaves the chat*

7. AnonymousFebruary 15,2023 at 6:37PM UTC

   This person left the chat because they don't have time to participate in this stream of consciousness chit-chat about a meeting. I read frustration in her responses: you've asked to schedule a meeting, you've not proactively provided an agenda, and everyone is spit-balling about a date & time.

   I used to work with someone who flat out refused meetings if they didn't have an agenda and expectations. I personally go apoplectic when someone tries to schedule a meeting without an agenda. Your colleague values her time and she's making a calculated decision to invest 30 minutes or an hour into a meeting that's still lacking direction. She left the conversation so she doesn't have to sit through everyone's trials and tribulations as you tighten your scheduling process.

   You're all grown professional women. Reach out to her instead of polling a bunch of strangers on FGB. If you truly need her in this meeting, contact her, set expectations, create a formal agenda, and tell her what you'll need from her.

   If scheduling is still an issue, use the Outlook function that provides availability without having to sort through 20 lines of a group chat. There are work arounds, embrace all the electronic tools that are in front of you.

8. AnonymousFebruary 15,2023 at 9:18PM UTC

   We have the same meeting every month about the content for the next month. She knows exactly what is going to happen in the meeting. Also, her calendar, as stated in another comment was open. I was asking as a courtesy after having checked the scheduling assistant.

   FGB is here to help with understanding professional situation, that’s why I asked. If you don’t want to provide input you’re welcome to keep scrolling.

9. AnonymousFebruary 15,2023 at 9:50PM UTC

   Her chat is asking about topics you'll cover in the meeting. I'm not sure she's clear on what will be discussed. Next time, skip the courtesy call and put the meeting on the books if her scheduling assistant is up to date.

10. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 15,2023 at 12:04AM UTC

    Sometimes it means the person has left the company. I recently experienced this.

11. AnonymousFebruary 15,2023 at 1:06PM UTC

    She did not leave the company.

12. Stephanie Malcom, MBAFebruary 16,2023 at 4:44PM UTC

    I think you would need to ask them. Maybe it was a mistake.

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