Employees often vent to colleagues on company platforms, such as Slack or Teams, to release frustration and find validation, but this act can backfire as bosses can access these messages, and AI is making it easier for companies to monitor employee communications.
While venting to colleagues may feel like a private conversation, it can be accessed by companies, and even switching to personal text messages may not be a safer method, as companies can treat backchanneling as a violation of company rules or fire employees without tying their termination to outside communications. In the US, states with at-will employment rules provide companies with a wide berth for when and why they fire employees, which can include no-texting policies. Backchanneling can be used for more than just complaining, such as sharing vital information during turbulence at work or supporting coworkers during difficult times. For example, when a consultant’s company initiated mass layoffs, employees shared and found out details through conversations on the anonymous networking app Fishbowl.
Some employees choose to backchannel for important reasons, such as communicating about problematic workplace conditions, and in these cases, they may be legally protected under the National Labor Relations Act, which calls these conversations “concerted activity.” However, only a few cases make it to court, and employers may still hesitate to ding employees for backchanneling or worse. Experts advise using discretion when communicating with coworkers, even if they think their conversations are safe, and to remember that official channels exist for filing workplace complaints. If employees find that their conversations are bringing up real issues, they should try to enlist as many coworkers as possible, as the boss is less likely to fire everyone. The rise of remote work has also complicated things, as more communication is being put into writing, and trust and discretion are essential in these situations.
The consequences of backchanneling can be severe, and employees should be aware of the risks involved. While some workers have given up on griping altogether, others continue to vent to colleagues, but with caution. As one worker at a software company notes, “You never know if people can turn that against you. Not everyone is going to be your friend. If you say something that might offend people, that is going to travel faster than light.” Ultimately, employees must weigh the benefits of backchanneling against the potential risks and consider the consequences of their actions.
Leave a Reply