Supervisor started a whatsapp work groupchat...

[futurefields]

I hate when some hot shot new a-hole comes in the job and pulls this kind of look at me shit

 

[dave_the_nerd]

We use Hipchat because we didn't want to be normal. We're all signed up.

We're not a chatty bunch, so I don't mind the occasional work-related FYI post on the weekend. Usually something like "That thing I was going to fix today is fixed. Have a nice weekend."

I'd sign up just to monitor things.

 

[futurefields]

I dont want to think about work at all on my days off, so this would annoy me, also because then it "looks bad" if i dont join in

 

[Red Squirrel]

Seems like a bad idea to use something like that for work. Privacy etc especially if any confidential info gets thrown around... don't they have a conference bridge they can use? At least that would be riding on the internal network. Assuming the conferences are taking place at the office on work hours. For remote could probably install a voip app on the phone that requires to VPN in first. I assume that's doable.

 

[edcoolio]

I didn't join because I didn't want to be bothered with messages on my phone when I'm off the clock.

I think I'm the only one that declined to join.

What would you guys have done?

The fact that it would even be brought up, much less implemented, screams to me the following:

Find another job as this may be just the beginning.

 

[ultimatebob]

Ugh, no thanks. I already have bozos where I work who like sharing our admin passwords via Skype.... this is the last thing I need.

 

[FirNaTine]

Are you FLSA exempt? If you are not, and your supervisor is expecting you to answer messages for work related stuff off hours, it is likely an FLSA violation (unless they are paying you overtime). If exempt, then you'd have to look at your organization's employee relations manual for how they handle off-hours contact from your supervisor. I think I remember you were PharmD? So likely exempt, per federal regs but wasn't 100%.

As a supervisor myself, I am always wary of any potential FLSA implications for anything I do/ask of my people. I will not ask for, or allow off-hours work, as much as I'd appreciate it. If I am aware and allow it, I am responsible for it.

As far as I am concerned, when you are off, you are off. If they need to have contact with you on off hours, setup an on-call policy and appropriate compensation with it. Either a per-diem, or per-event basis, or build into base pay if everyone agrees to it ahead of time. But, don't ask for more off hours contact for free.

 

[futurefields]

It's a power move, see it all the time where i work

Some hot shot new a hole comes in with "big ideas" and an insatiable desire for attention

They are almost always gone within 6 months as mgmt here is pretty entrenched and not trying to have too many overachievers around

 

[zCypher]

If it was set up in such a way as to only work from within the corporate intranet, I don't see a problem with it. But if you're able to access it from an unsecured external network (ie, not through company's VPN), then what kind of company is this? Most places that have established corporate guidelines for security, privacy, confidentiality etc would not allow this.

With the above point aside, I would learn more about what the intended use is before deciding whether to partake. And if I did decide to participate, I would most certainly disable notifications. If they "need to reach me", they already can. Otherwise I will check when/if I feel like it only, which is no different than my logging in to look at schedule, email or whatever on my own time which I do once in a while at my leisure. No problems with that.

 

[Cappuccino]

What is your job? That is all I want to know.

 

[rh71]

The group chat on the personal cell phones can kiss my ass

This.

 

[brainhulk]

Are you FLSA exempt? If you are not, and your supervisor is expecting you to answer messages for work related stuff off hours, it is likely an FLSA violation (unless they are paying you overtime). If exempt, then you'd have to look at your organization's employee relations manual for how they handle off-hours contact from your supervisor. I think I remember you were PharmD? So likely exempt, per federal regs but wasn't 100%.

As a supervisor myself, I am always wary of any potential FLSA implications for anything I do/ask of my people. I will not ask for, or allow off-hours work, as much as I'd appreciate it. If I am aware and allow it, I am responsible for it.

As far as I am concerned, when you are off, you are off. If they need to have contact with you on off hours, setup an on-call policy and appropriate compensation with it. Either a per-diem, or per-event basis, or build into base pay if everyone agrees to it ahead of time. But, don't ask for more off hours contact for free.

I am a PharmD, but I am not exempt. I am going to copy pasta your post and send it to people who ask me why I'm not on the group chat. Thanks.

 

[brainhulk]

It's a power move, see it all the time where i work

Some hot shot new a hole comes in with "big ideas" and an insatiable desire for attention

They are almost always gone within 6 months as mgmt here is pretty entrenched and not trying to have too many overachievers around

Yes, he is our new supervisor. Implementing a lot of new things...