Been added to work WhatsApp group.

[Nodiggidy123]

My phone has pinged this morning and I have found out I have been added to a what app group for work.

I'm not entirely happy about this.
1. it's my personal mobile
2. They have put my number into the group for all to see. Without my permission. Is it a breach of personal data?
3. We are all entitled to downtime away from work and Imo this just encroaches into my work life balance to much.

Obviously I don't want to make trouble for myself but how should I approach the subject with my bosses?

 

[tom_e]

2. They have put my number into the group for all to see. Without my permission. Is it a breach of personal data?

Yes. Tell them to get lost.

 

[Glanza]

Leave the group?

 

[Akagi]

Remove yourself from the group.......

 

[dirtychinchilla]

I would just pull out. I can't believe that they would require you to be in a WhatsApp group.

We have a work WhatsApp group, but it's more of a social group and it's "exclusive" in that a few of us started it years ago and have gradually added people that we are good friends with. It's also a democracy - anyone can add anyone at any time, though I'd like there to be a vote to keep out people we don't want..!

 

[nitram100]

Just mute it man and say whatsapp doesn't work on your phone so don't expect you to reply.

I had a group in my last job for my team of Nurses, worked very well but only because we all consented to it.

 

[The_Abyss]

Just leave the group!

 

[omnomnom]

2. They have put my number into the group for all to see. Without my permission. Is it a breach of personal data?

Call the police immediately.

Or grow a backbone, either or.

 

[ci_newman]

Just leave the group!

Just do this, it's hardly the end of the world.

 

[Nodiggidy123]

Left

 

[Ayahuasca]

Change your name to Anti-Social and then remove yourself.

 

[Semple]

Who set it up?

Realistically they can only expect you to join a works WhatsApp group if they're providing you with a business phone, and paying you for on-call hours if they expect messages to be read/answered whilst not in the office.

 

[RoboCod]

This back fired for my work after a very explicit pornographic photo appeared in the group. It turns out a lot of people didn't like that appearing on all their synced devices, such as their kids tablets and the smart tv. The group was quickly deleted and lessons were learned.

I suggest doing this.

 

[Nodiggidy123]

Who set it up?

Realistically they can only expect you to join a works WhatsApp group if they're providing you with a business phone, and paying you for on-call hours if they expect messages to be read/answered whilst not in the office.

My old boss, he has my number as I had to contact him for an alarm call out once.

I don't want to be difficult but unless I'm in work or for alarm call out purposes I don't want to be contacted.

 

[Hades]

There is an increasing tendancy for companies to expect people to provide their own equipment such as phones. I had this recently with my company asking people to install an email app on their phones so they could remove blackberries. I refused as I don't want to have to always provide my own equipment (for example if mine fails, provide my own data contract or give everyone my personal number). It came right down to the last day before they relented.

 

[A2Z]

I got added to a work group and after having to sift through hundreds of messages every day of mostly BS regarding updates of people at work which I really don't care about...I left the group.

Is it really that hard?

 

[Cleisthenes]

It could just be a harmless thing where the boss was hoping to bring together his staff, he might have thought it would be good for team moral. So I wouldn't be too ****** off with it, doing what you've done and leaving was the best thing to do.

 

[Nodiggidy123]

It could just be a harmless thing where the boss was hoping to bring together his staff, he might have thought it would be good for team moral. So I wouldn't be too ****** off with it, doing what you've done and leaving was the best thing to do.

More than likely. He probably thinks I'd be totally fine with it.

I just see it as another way of an employer being able to check up on you. I don't have them on Facebook for this very reason so why would whatsapp be Any different

 

[matthab]

Remove yourself from the group. We use one on our phones as its where all the on call engineers chat, its been very handy if your stuck or need to vent. My phone drops into do not disturb but as a senior I always have my phone on for escalations.

Seems like you have blown it out of proportions.

 

[Freakbro]

Yea, I was added to the managers/trustee whatsapp group (I'm the finance manager) for one of the companies I run and it never stopped pinging with them all talking *****, so I left it