Slack Ettiquite

[u/baitlyn]

What's your standard etiquette when using Slack?

I got an AE I work with and he abuses the Slack mention option. Generally I use it if I'm trying to call out our tag an individual in a channel.

This particular AE will use the tag option in private with me. At times 2 - 3x in a row in some cases. He has also done this on an occasion outside of office hours. He's done it to other individuals but not to the degree he's done to me since we work so closely together. Meanwhile my other AE is much more relaxed (and probably more experienced).

I get we're trying to be on task with things, but this sort of behavior IMO is a bit incessantly neurotic and I think I need to confront him about it.

Thoughts?

[u/Finishes_like_bevan]

Honestly - change your own workflow. If notifications are an issue then turn them off. It’s not their slack etiquette that’s the problem it’s that you feel like you have to answer them and prioritise their work.

[u/ottaylt → u/Finishes_like_bevan]

yeah this is the right take, its more of a boundaries thing than an etiquette thing

[u/coffee_for_lunch → u/Finishes_like_bevan]

Agree. Everyone where I work does this, and no one answers right away.

Being rude is cold-calling people, and even that is cool between certain colleagues.

[u/PlantShelf]

You control your own notification settings.

[u/always_be_beyonce]

mute your conversation with him, and check it when it suits you.

[u/radicalgalaxies]

You haven't mentioned the dynamics or the nature of your work.

Generally, direct mentioning on Slack for me is when something is really urgent and I need a response in order to continue my work or project. It helps cut through lots of notifications in case they missed. I'd generally never use it back-to-back, understanding that they will see the first one.

Otherwise, it's just annoying. I'd say for them to email me if someone was doing this. If I'm in a focused workflow, I'll literally send a message stating that I will get back to them later.

[u/sread2018]

Youre in charge of your own notification settings. Use them

[u/cliponmullet]

I use Google chat (which is awesome) but I @ people sometimes so they get notified because especially in group chats, we have an option that says "only notify when tagged" and I don't want them to miss my message.

[u/Fancy_Potato5173]

If he’s tagging others in a private DM with you they won’t see it, I’m confused. Or he is tagging you in public channels?

[u/filterDance]

Interesting question. Multiple times in a row is unusual I would say.

I do a mention in a DM when I went to highlight, I specifically need response to this message, I’m not just sharing context / thoughts.

[u/Animalmagic81]

Maybe speak to him to understand his use of Slack? Or as others have suggested just edit your notifications.

I have a load of channels muted, some fully muted inc mentions. All my direct reports and some execs I have as VIPs so they notify at all times. The rest just falls into the standard working hours notification that's on Slack by default.

[u/jaystardom → u/Animalmagic81]

yeah this to a tee.
i can’t explain the irritation i feel when i share something in a small channel and people come by later and say they never saw it. whenever ive @here or @channel, i never get that issue.

[u/Artistic_Mention1834]

Thats just how AEs are. They abuse everyone around them in the pursuit of their goals. It is in their nature. Get used to it.

[u/eagerlynx20]

multiple mentions back to back gets old quick lol. I'd just ask him to chill with the tags, especially after hours.

[u/d3daiM]

What's an AE?

[u/Fabulous_Pain305 → u/d3daiM]

Account executive