Work Taboo

I was having a bad day yesterday. I went to work and my thoughts were getting the better of me. I believe that I have posted before that we went to Google Apps at work. One of the functions of Google Apps is the Chat feature. I have used the Chat feature at work for both work related items and some personal quick conversations. It's great, usually. So as I was working I decided to send a friend at work a Chat. I just sent a comment that was running through my head, nothing to serious, just a blanket statement "Do you think anyone would notice if I just left and didn't tell anybody". Don't judge! Just take it as a bad day. I did not receive a reply back from my friend so I closed the Chat.

Here is where it gets interesting. I got a voicemail later from my friend and they asked if I had gotten their Chat back later because it was pretty funny. I had closed my Chat so I didn't get it. About an hour or so later I get an email from my boss.

Subject: btw

Context: We would notice if you left :)

I sit up straight in my chair at work and think, What? How strange? So I email back and tell him: Thanks, glad that somebody would notice! I sit there in my chair and think about this and then quickly send an email to my friend. Why did my boss just email me this? My friend was in meetings the entire afternoon, but I know they are attached to their blackberry. They send me a message back stating they were in a meeting that morning and they had their screen projected and their email was signed in. As I sent my Chat it popped up in the middle of the screen for everyone to see. So, the entire room of people in the meeting saw my Chat and my comment including my boss. I saw my boss alter that day and he actually thought it was hilarious. As he followed me back to my office (yeah, I got my own office last week!) laughing at me I told him I was only slightly embarrassed by that and so glad that there were also a couple of big wigs in the room. Just great to make my bad day better. I'm sure; no positive, that my face was bright red the rest of the day.

Lesson of the day: Chat with Google

1 - Even if a persons Chat shows they are available to Chat check their calendar to be sure they are not in a meeting

2 - If you are in a meeting change your status to Unavailable for the sake of your co-workers and friends OR don't pull up your email account presentation!