jlt19, I'd probably send him a message like "I'm currently in the middle of something. Is this something urgent?" and then never follow up with them if they don't give me details
jlt19, I'd probably send him a message like "I'm currently in the middle of something. Is this something urgent?" and then never follow up with them if they don't give me details
Yes, or “I’m currently in the middle of something - please email me with details of what you need and I’ll set 5 minutes aside on our calendars to discuss.”
Also, I can see the status of who I am messaging on Teams. If they are "in a meeting" or "busy" I don't send them a message and email instead-- it's not hard!
Post by litskispeciality on Jan 4, 2024 12:18:48 GMT -5
The only way you can get what you need is A/A.
In the B/B situations people might not see it for a while because they don't update their status (guilty), and then when they finally do you've either done it yourself, or forgot why you asked.
A/A but I"ve worked with other cultures that you first must engage in niceities before business or asking for something. It drove me up the wall but I understood it.
I also wondered if it was culturally related. I work in a global companies and a lot of my counterparts overseas will do B.
Another comment made me realize that IT is the WORST at saying hi, are you free? And then 55 min later responding. I recently said, yeah I have 10 min now. And then they responded after those 10 min (by a lot) and were like “now?” I said no, I’m in a meeting.
I don't like Teams messages for requests like that - if you're not in frequent contact for work, they should send an email w/full sentences, the ask, the context, and the deadline (if any).
Our business analysts use statuses to set expectations re: responses times, etc. Could you try that? I’d be direct as possible, “If requesting work please include specifics including deliverable and time frame. Messages will be responded to within 1 business day”? Then ignore any small talk.
A woman who works for me almost always uses approach B when messaging me on teams. I ignore until there is an actual request. And I've told her that if she needs something from me, approach A is better. But she hasn't gotten the message. I've thought that it's an age thing-- she's older than me, so the way she messages on teams feels like an old person. Someone who didn't use IM when they were younger. But then I realize that she's the only person who does this, and I work with a bunch of people who are older than her and they don't do this.
A/A, although I do not need pleasantries at all. I have been working on including pleasantries because other people want them, but I prefer what people need and when they need it. I do not need 800 Happy New Year teams chats with requests today.
He finally sent another message (44 minutes after the first set): Are you there? I need 5 minutes of your time.
Um, I'm here, but now really isn't a good time. I am an analyst. It's HARD to be so deep into something and someone want "5 minutes of my time". This is why I block off a few hours each day for focused time! I mean, clearly I've already come up for air, but I'm so annoyed.
And I STILL don't even know what he wants that 5 minutes of my time FOR.
I feel this so hard. I'm a CPA. I'm always at my computer, but I can't just stop what I am doing. If you want 5 minutes put it on my calendar. While team messages drive me crazy, calling me unannounced makes me ENRAGED. You are disrupting my thought process.
Post by litskispeciality on Jan 4, 2024 13:33:00 GMT -5
icedcoffee, I love the way you worded that, and am sorry you deal with that, especially during the Jan - April timeframe. This fantastic woman I used to work with actually called that same thing out in a meeting once "Teams messages distract me, so if you reaaaally need me call me." Plus managers forget that Teams isn't the only thing on our plates, so now you've got the blinking light, ringing phone, your responsibilities and so on. This def is tough situation because we all have different preferences for contact, and different attention spans, but I think employees should be able to say "don't Teams me unless you physically need me at that moment".
Alas, we just talked about this at work, more so for CYA. Our direction is always email so there's a paper trail unless it has to be done right now, then you email "per our Teams conversation I did x". I think that's fair, esp for OP if they don't get what they need and have to explain why. A simple "feel free to Teams me if you have questions" in the email is fine, but there should be a formal request with a deadline.
I'm over here annoyed that all the options include "hope you are well". Can't we just say "Hi mpc. Can you send me xyz, when you get a chance?" Nobody really cares how anyone is doing or wants a real answer. The only acceptable answer is to say you are well and return the question. So what's the point? FWIW, I'm also the curmudgeon who hates it when people say "hi how are you" as they pass you in the hall. You are not really expecting an answer don't ask me the question! I've started just responding "hi *name*" or "good morning" or whatever. It's only awkward when they automatically respond "good thanks" lol.
If someone I didn’t really interact with IMed me out of the blue and said “Hey Joy, send me this document when you get a chance,” then I’d be a bit put out. Who are you? Why do you need this document? When do you need this document? I would find this rude *in my line of work*.
Everyone here does pleasantries along with the point. “Hi Joy! I hope you had a nice a holiday. I have a question about XYZ. Get back to me when you have a few min.” If I don’t have a few min, then I just say “I’m actually really busy today - can you send me an email?”
If I have too much going on, I sit on do not disturb and get back to you when I can.
Post by texasharleygirl on Jan 4, 2024 14:20:03 GMT -5
A/A is appropriate, but I get the B all the time.
I will see B and then wait. Maybe 40 mins and respond with something like B1. But it's irritating! Just say hello, how are you and what you need. Don't dick around with me on the are you there?
B drives me nuts but happens frequently with certain people on my team. One coworker just messages “Hi” and then nothing else. I have started to just not respond and she will either eventually message me what she needs or she never does and I guess it wasn’t really needed?
My company uses teams for messaging but zoom for meetings, and we have many meetings where we are sharing screens reviewing things. I know a handful of ppl who just send a "hey" and wait for a reply to ensure that person isn't sharing their screen if they are saying something intended to be kept between us for whatever reason. That is the only reason I will accept this, lol. If you're telling me "hey," there had better be something interesting on the way.
If someone I didn’t really interact with IMed me out of the blue and said “Hey Joy, send me this document when you get a chance,” then I’d be a bit put out. Who are you? Why do you need this document? When do you need this document? I would find this rude *in my line of work*.
Everyone here does pleasantries along with the point. “Hi Joy! I hope you had a nice a holiday. I have a question about XYZ. Get back to me when you have a few min.” If I don’t have a few min, then I just say “I’m actually really busy today - can you send me an email?”
If I have too much going on, I sit on do not disturb and get back to you when I can.
I'm fine with pleasantries, but include your ask in the same message. Don't just send the pleasantries and require me to answer before you get to your point.
If someone I didn’t really interact with IMed me out of the blue and said “Hey Joy, send me this document when you get a chance,” then I’d be a bit put out. Who are you? Why do you need this document? When do you need this document? I would find this rude *in my line of work*.
Everyone here does pleasantries along with the point. “Hi Joy! I hope you had a nice a holiday. I have a question about XYZ. Get back to me when you have a few min.” If I don’t have a few min, then I just say “I’m actually really busy today - can you send me an email?”
If I have too much going on, I sit on do not disturb and get back to you when I can.
I'm fine with pleasantries, but include your ask in the same message. Don't just send the pleasantries and require me to answer before you get to your point.
Yeah, this is what I do. "Hi X, I hope you are doing well! I have a quick question about X student when you get a chance."
A/A, although I do not need pleasantries at all. I have been working on including pleasantries because other people want them, but I prefer what people need and when they need it. I do not need 800 Happy New Year teams chats with requests today.
Also I hate teams.
YES!!!!! I honestly hate any work related message or email that starts out with "hi! How are you? I hope all is well".... or whatever. This week I give grace to a "Happy new year" at the start of a message. But past that - just tell me what you want!
And I'm with who said it above - EMAIL is for people you don't contact regularly or need to ask something lengthy/ explain an issue. Dont Teams message me if I barely know you and expect me to drop everything, especially with passive messages like "Hi, how are you?".
A/A, but is also depends. Someone I work closely with strongly prefers "Good morning Jane. I hope you had a nice weekend. Can you please send me X by noon? Thank you!"
He finally sent another message (44 minutes after the first set): Are you there? I need 5 minutes of your time.
Um, I'm here, but now really isn't a good time. I am an analyst. It's HARD to be so deep into something and someone want "5 minutes of my time". This is why I block off a few hours each day for focused time! I mean, clearly I've already come up for air, but I'm so annoyed.
And I STILL don't even know what he wants that 5 minutes of my time FOR.
Ugh! This is a pet peeve of mine. One person in particular. I’ve had to come out and say I won’t schedule a time with them until they at least give me a high level topic. It’s also NEVER 5 minutes.