IMing at work

[indigo_rose99]

My last traditional office-bound job was in January 2003. While my current job is less traditional, I still feel like there was a gap in which technology changed the way people work, and I missed the gradual change.  Suddenly I'm in a workplace in which.... IMing between employees on the same conference call, to nag/remind each other to ask questions is common.  In fact, quick IMs are as ordinary as leaning into a cubical doorway to say something used to be.

I missed the whole IM transition thing.  I mean, I only got text on my cell phone a few months ago! Now suddenly I feel like I've been dunked into a work-IM-society I was not prepared for. 

I'm sure there is etiquette.    And while I don't mind learning, I would rather it not be at my co-workers' expense.

What is the polite way to start an IM conversation?  Polite ways to end one? How do I acknowledge a received IM while I was away doing something personal without giving away more than they need to know?    How do I emergency-quick-sever an IM conversation if I must run do something personal again without telling them more than they need to know?

Any other tips I should know?

Comments

IM at work

[fraeuleinchen.livejournal.com]

I missed this too! And there's no basis for this in my workplace (hospital), other than text-paging each other on our archaic pagers. Sure, some staff members also carry their cell phones, and text each other, but I only carry my hospital-issued pager. (Cell is too heavy, and I don't have time to be distracted by personal stuff during work, anyway.)

I hope others can weigh in on this!

[aurienne.livejournal.com]

If it helps, my Technical Writing students (mostly juniors/seniors, at least half are engineering majors) believe that texting will stay (according to the less-engineer-filled glass -- the engineers have better phones and prefer email), IMing is lame and passe.

Then again, students are less place-bound,so IM may be just the computer-equiv of texting, and they aren't locked into 1 place for 40h/week, so IM hasn't become a major thing?

anyhow, I'll ask my class (for extra credit) to write you a note, and I'll forward them.

[indigo-rose99.livejournal.com]

That would be perfect! Thank you!

[sclatter.livejournal.com]

IM was common in my last real-world job. The only thing I remember being kind of "rude" was to set your IM client so it wouldn't show if you were "idle". (In iChat a green dot meant signed-in and active, a yellow dot meant signed-in but not actively on the computer.) You'd always end up typing away at someone with a green dot only to realize after a few minutes that they weren't really there. People did complain about that.

I would start a conversation just as in real life or on the phone--something like "Hi, do you have a minute for a question?". Ends I found to be a little more awkward. IM is much more fluid than say a phone call. You can simply leave the "end" open ended by just not typing anymore. It's kind of awkward to actually say something like "I'm going, bye." People don't usually do that in my experience.

I am not sure what you mean by quick-sever. It's not like a phone call, so you can walk off and go to the bathroom and people can be typing away at you, and unless you are gone for a really long time they will be none the wiser. People don't necessarily expect instantaneous replies. If you need to run out for a minute and you are really in the middle of an active conversation, a quick "BRB" (be right back) will generally suffice.

[indigo-rose99.livejournal.com]

Setting up a default to set me "idle" if I've been inactive for a bit. Good point and easy to fix.

I can start conversations your suggested way. That seems pretty easy.

[tiger-stripes.livejournal.com]

I'm on IM, all the time. Ask me questions in IM when you have them :)

[ovrclokd.livejournal.com]

+1 on setting an auto timer to set your idle / away status. :)

What is the polite way to start an IM conversation?

I'm with Sarah on this, although if the target is a nerd / geek and I know them relatively well, I'd abbreviate that to "Ping?" ("Ack" means "Yes, how can I help you?", in response.)

Polite ways to end one?

If you initiated and are done - "Thanks! TTYL!" If they initiated it, they will generally do the same. Not all conversations require closure... if you're both clearly done, just stopping typing is fine.

How do I acknowledge a received IM while I was away doing something personal without giving away more than they need to know?

You don't owe them context on where you were. A simple "Back now - $reply" is fine. If they would reasonably have expected you to respond, like you'd said you'd be around all afternoon, then "Sorry, was away" (or AFK if they're geeks) is plenty.

How do I emergency-quick-sever an IM conversation if I must run do something personal again without telling them more than they need to know?

"Need to step out - back in 10min" or at 3pm or whenever. Again, with the not owing them context. :) If it's a conf call or something where you aren't physically leaving, this still applies - you're stepping out of the electronic conversation, not just the physical room. I do find that getting a return ETA is more helpful (when I'm on the receiving end) than just a BRB...

[indigo-rose99.livejournal.com]

Very useful. Thank you!

[fraeuleinchen.livejournal.com]

As I said, I don't use IM at work. But I wanted to say that I've enjoyed reading the follow-up comments from those who are up to date with this sort of thing! Fascinating!

[indigo-rose99.livejournal.com]

Insight into the aliens? *rueful grin* Well, it is how I feel... I've already put to use these suggestions, and I feel much less awkward about my interactions.