WhatsApp is increasingly being used by professionals, but not everybody is happy about it. Research has shown that around 650m people are using WhatsApp at work, despite the inherent threats of doing so.
The perils of using WhatsApp professionally been well documented, but I thought I'd dig up a few personal stories to get some first hand evidence about what can go wrong.
So then, here are 20 reasons why you might not like using WhatsApp for work...
1. Because you're not on the clock
It’s almost 1am but your client decided to send you a text via Whatsapp.
— Nadio (@NadiaIdzhrddn) October 19, 2018
WhatsApp is almost fully work-related. And I just hate it.
2. Because it encroaches on your personal life
My whatsapp... it’s really 91% work related chats and it’s bugging me even on weekends... it’s mixed in into my personal life and i hate it.... I wanna go on whatsapp and chat with my friends and all. Not deal with work or be reminded of work.
— Ok Garlic ¹²⁷ ?✨ (@dibidibibling) September 16, 2018
3. Because you don't need yet another group in your life
Nothing worse than having another work group added to your WhatsApp list!??
— ICY (@Miss__Maggz) January 30, 2018
4. Because you sent that saucy picture to the wrong group
Guys, be careful on WhatsApp, a guy at work sent a whole nude of him to a work group. Shame.
— L (@leroy206) May 7, 2018
5. Because it makes you fear the notifications
cause of work i really hate using WhatsApp, just the buzz sound is enough to annoy and spoil my day
— Nero VI ネロ ⏭️ComicFiesta2018 (@Nero_LoL) September 17, 2018
6. Because your WhatsApp name is 'Hot Mess'
Omg. My boss just added me to a work group on WhatsApp. I logged on to see my name's Hot Mess. I don't even have to try to make good impressions, it just comes naturally.
— Rumpelstiltskin (@AlexSmackass) October 31, 2018
7. Because it's easy to post messages to the wrong group
The problem with having so many whatsapp groups is u risk posting msgs in the wrong group. I was about to post a msg into our work group instead of the girls’ group on how there is a lack of hot guys in the surgical world & how having eye candy would motivate more people at work.
— Dr. Ameera (@A160186) November 11, 2018
8. Because noise pollution makes you anxious
Wow getting rid of WhatsApp has done wonders for me and my productivity levels.That constant stream of messages esp in work group chats really clutter my already anxious worrying brain. If it’s important people will text or call.
— IG: FLOTUK (@FLOTUK) October 10, 2018
9. Because information is hard to find
I hate work info on WhatsApp. Looking for it afterwards is SO painful.
— Sue (@sunayanaroy) October 10, 2018
10. Because you're trying to sleep
whatsapp is new office communicator hate these office groups and people messaging about work at mid night 12.45 AM .. ?
— Satendra Negi (@SSN4K) September 9, 2018
11. Because you need some space
I do it all the time ! I can't be on my phone at work and also, i hate that whatsapp has made everyone so accessible. People have lost all sense of space.
— DeeSee (@BeingDeeSee) October 10, 2018
12. Because you just got busted
Big shout out to my mate who skived off work pretending to look after an ill child to come down to London for the weekend. Pity he shared his WhatsApp Live Location with his work
— Olly (@droler) May 4, 2018
colleagues' group by mistake, showing we wasn't at home...
13. Because you took another drunk selfie
One of my colleagues has just sent a drunk selfie to our team WhatsApp group.
— The girl with the gerbil tattoo (@gerbillady) October 26, 2018
My question to you is:
Do I make it the group picture?
14. Because your colleagues are being serious
Someone sent the "to lesbian daughters" clip from Corrie to the whatsapp group and i played it at full blast in the office while colleagues were being tres seriousse
— Peanut (@AmyLeMesmer) September 20, 2018
15. Because you meant to send a private message
This dude just sent a whatsapp vn to an official business whatsapp group, that two colleagues in that group must "fok off" , I think it was meant for a specific individual outside the group*grabs popcorn*
— Mnce Thabiso Nakin (@MT_Nakin) December 14, 2017
16. Because of auto-correct
OH is in a whatsapp group of colleagues with his new boss called Liz. His phone just autocorrected it to lizard as he sent a message ?????
— Regina Phalange (@thesarah_j) September 22, 2017
17. Because your colleagues are scumbags
At work definitely , I found my former line manager with three other colleagues in a WhatsApp group mocking my faith , race , sex.
— Hmmm (@Hmmmright) December 3, 2018
That company is the worst place I have ever worked EVER pic.twitter.com/4j9acTKPn5
18. Because that's not your sister
I accidentally texted the work Whatsapp group ?I am legit thanking every deity I can think of because I was sending the most dull text to my sister. Still traumatized by what I could have been sending shuu. This is why I hate Whatsapp groups ?
— Penny (@KwandaMath) September 18, 2018
19. Because your boss doesn't understand how to use WhatsApp
don't think my manager realises I can see her whatsapp profile because she keeps posting emosh stuff about her ex boyfriend omg
— Jess? (@Jessterry_) August 8, 2015
20. Because of your display picture
so i've been communicating with my dad's colleagues on whatsapp, & i just realised that this is my current dp pic.twitter.com/TVeqgn0VZE
— h ʌ z y (@hazysnaps) November 20, 2017
21. Because it makes you stop using WhatsApp altogether
They've taken work to WhatsApp. I hate it now. I've actually stopped opening WhatsApp and checking messages of other people just to avoid being seen online ?
— Sandeep S Rao (@sndpmysuru) September 10, 2018
It's probably worth noting at this point that corporate use of WhatsApp is strictly prohibited, as stated in its terms and conditions,: "You will not use (or assist others in using) our Services in ways that: involve any non-personal use of our Services unless otherwise authorized by us."
We believe that professionals need the right kind of dedicated platform for work-related messaging. It's why we've just launched Guild, which is purpose-built for professional messaging.
Stop blurring your personal and professional life! Take back control of your data, and ensure that you don't make any career-damaging group messaging mistakes.
Give Guild a try instead.
Photo by Rachit Tank on Unsplash.
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