Private work whatsapp group

[Countdown]

A freind of mine has been asked to join a private whtaspp group by one of his work colleagues.

The whatsapp group is "political" in nature, it isn't illegal however the views might not be appreciated by Management (who have a strong policy of remaining on the fence and not taking sides). There is nothing linking the whataspp group to the business. It's just a group of lime-minded individuals wanting to provide each other with support and advice. It's not sexist, racist, homophobic or illegal in any way.

What are the risks?

[twing]

The risk (guarantee) is that the conversation will get very anti someone in the company after a few drinks at the weekend and someone will screen snap it.

[Countdown]

twing said:

The risk (guarantee) is that the conversation will get very anti someone in the company after a few drinks at the weekend and someone will screen snap it.

Famous last words but no chance of that happening

The most pass-agg the group gets is to leave somebody out of the Brew round.

[cml24]

Is it normal for companies to stop their employees talking about political issues or which party they support? Have I misunderstood what the concern is?

I am a member of several whatsapp groups, but the conversations are not ones we wouldn't have at work either.

[Countdown]

cml24 said:

Is it normal for companies to stop their employees talking about political issues or which party they support? Have I misunderstood what the concern is?

Let's assume (for the sake of argument) that it's about Gender identity and trans issues. One group are strongly supportive of transwomen, the other group believe what JK Rowling believes. When these issues have been raised at work it has caused conflict so the bosses have said STOP! and "dont talk about it at work because we CBA with the grievances"

That's just off the top of my head.

I suppose the question is "Can a company sack/discipline people for having legal views which the Company do not want to be associated with"?

[shirt]

Unless it’s a general banter type chat then I can’t think of any reason why you’d want to.

Discussing internal or external politics with people at work, shoot me now.

[21TonyK]

Have nothing to do with anyting remotely to do with a group of work colleagues on any social media or messaging system unless its work approved.

[bitchstewie]

I'd stay away.

Each to their own but there's a bit of a "once you see it you can't unsee it" thing which is something I personally don't like when it involved work colleagues.

Simply put imagine finding out the people you work with and get on with professionally actually have political views like the very worst excesses of NP&E

[Ritchie335is]

I’ve worked offshore on rigs for 20 odd years and at the moment I’m covering in the office for the first time.
It’s a nest of vipers and I can’t wait to get back on the rig.
Every coffee break is just slagging people off and gossip.
I would run a mile from that group.
Do your own thing.

[austina35]

No. My job is just a job. I have no intention of having anything to do with any of them outside of working hours. That comes from experience.

[alscar]

When I was working I was in a couple of “direct team only” groups but they were only used for general purposes and certainly for nothing remotely contentious.
Personally wouldn’t join the “political “ one.

[Slow.Patrol]

I used to refuse to have any work related stuff on my personal phone.

I'm retired now, but the number of companies that expected an employee to use their personal phone for work purposes seemed to be on the rise.

[StevieBee]

Countdown said:

"Can a company sack/discipline people for having legal views which the Company do not want to be associated with"?

Yes, but the wording has to be carefully applied.

My business works exclusively for public sector clients, local authorities mainly but government departments and other similar institutions as well. We thus have clients that span the political spectrum and as such, is necessary for us to be a-political. This is expressed clearly within employment contracts but the contractural (i.e 'legal') enforcement relates to the preservation of reputation, good client relations and so on. You cannot legally ask someone not to express a political view (unless that view is itself illegal) but you can legally ask them not to harm the reputation of the company which expressing a political view may well breach.

One example where we had to enforce this was several years ago when we had a team assigned to a two month project for a local authority which was conservative led. At the project launch, there was a photo-call which included our team, some of the council staff and the Council Member who was a prominent Conservative. One of our team, it turned out, was a bit of trade unionist and shared the photo when published on his own social media and that of a number of local left-leaning platforms using high derogatory terminology aimed at the Member (Tory Scum) and the Council. Instant dismissal, which he got his trade union to contest which lasted as long as it took me to provide a copy of the contract with the provision and reason highlighted.

We did look into whether this can be extended outside of working hours or work in general. This is slightly less clear cut but in essence, if it can be proven that an employee's actions are detrimental to the company and its clients then, yes, it can. This would cover things like 'private' WhatsApp groups amongst colleagues.

[redstar1]

Slow.Patrol said:

I used to refuse to have any work related stuff on my personal phone.

I'm retired now, but the number of companies that expected an employee to use their personal phone for work purposes seemed to be on the rise.

We encourage staff to use their own phones for 'non invasive' work stuff such as MFA authenticators and a couple of comms/HR apps.

Invariably some people don't want to, which is fine but it almost always ends up with:

"I can't log in, I've forgotten the work phone you gave me for the authenticator code. Why do I have to carry this around?"

[borcy]

redstar1 said:

Slow.Patrol said:

I used to refuse to have any work related stuff on my personal phone.

I'm retired now, but the number of companies that expected an employee to use their personal phone for work purposes seemed to be on the rise.

We encourage staff to use their own phones for 'non invasive' work stuff such as MFA authenticators and a couple of comms/HR apps.

Invariably some people don't want to, which is fine but it almost always ends up with:

"I can't log in, I've forgotten the work phone you gave me for the authenticator code. Why do I have to carry this around?"

We had that at work, loads more people than assumed turned down the use of their own phones. Cost a few quid to solve.

[dundarach]

If on works phone, no never anything personal. It's too obvious a thing to 'get' you on.

Personal phones, yeah I'm in one, however, I'm often the miserable old bd who has to remind people to behave.

Remember if you're in a group - YOU'RE IN A GROUP, if the st hits the fan and someone goes loopy, you're name will be on the list when the messages are viewed.

Personally, I'd tread extremely carefully grasshopper and if anything looks dodgy, leave. IT'S NOT ENOUGH to ignore it and not reply!

[Countdown]

dundarach said:

If on works phone, no never anything personal. It's too obvious a thing to 'get' you on.

Personal phones, yeah I'm in one, however, I'm often the miserable old bd who has to remind people to behave.

Remember if you're in a group - YOU'RE IN A GROUP, if the st hits the fan and someone goes loopy, you're name will be on the list when the messages are viewed.

Personally, I'd tread extremely carefully grasshopper and if anything looks dodgy, leave. IT'S NOT ENOUGH to ignore it and not reply!

I think I'm in agreement 100%. I'll tell him next time I speak to him.

[Sheets Tabuer]

I'd steer clear, we have several groups for things like system alerts and failures which only get messages about issues but I'd run a mile from anything general chat or off the books chats.

The skeleton staff that weren't furloughed during covid set one up, all on private phones but the office worm (you know the sort, st at his job but thinks by snitching he'll get a pay rise or promotion) screenshotted several conversations where full and frank opinions of others were aired and all ended up with final written warnings.

[Countdown]

borcy said:

redstar1 said:

Slow.Patrol said:

I used to refuse to have any work related stuff on my personal phone.

I'm retired now, but the number of companies that expected an employee to use their personal phone for work purposes seemed to be on the rise.

We encourage staff to use their own phones for 'non invasive' work stuff such as MFA authenticators and a couple of comms/HR apps.

Invariably some people don't want to, which is fine but it almost always ends up with:

"I can't log in, I've forgotten the work phone you gave me for the authenticator code. Why do I have to carry this around?"

We had that at work, loads more people than assumed turned down the use of their own phones. Cost a few quid to solve.

Our IT team implemented MFA when we started WFH. Some staff suggested they weren't willing to use their personal phones for the Authenticator app, so they were told tthe alternative was to come into the office to log in (no MFA required if you're physically at work). Problem solved!

[borcy]

Countdown said:

Our IT team implemented MFA when we started WFH. Some staff suggested they weren't willing to use their personal phones for the Authenticator app, so they were told tthe alternative was to come into the office to log in (no MFA required if you're physically at work). Problem solved!

Ah, we need mfa even at work.