Roula Khalaf, the Editor of the Financial Times, shares her preferred articles in the weekly newsletter.
In the 2010s, early adopters of Slack described workplace messaging in a manner that now seems exaggerated. It was viewed as a “companion” at work, the “bond” that held teams together, and the reason work felt enjoyable. However, the constant stream of messages has made it challenging to disconnect. Despite this, we now have the luxury of sending emojis to our superiors.
While workplace messaging may have tethered us to our jobs, it has also revolutionized office conventions. The traditional notion that work necessitates a formal and distinct persona is losing its appeal.
A shift driven by a combination of new workforce generations and the surge in remote work due to the pandemic has led to a more relaxed atmosphere. Formal attire like suits and ties are becoming less common. Conventional email sign-offs like “Yours sincerely” are being replaced by a simple “Thanks”. Internal chats often conclude with just a thumbs up. Platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams even offer the option for employees to engage in video games.
The tech hub of California was at the forefront of this shift. Upon my arrival in 2018, I was equipped with uncomfortable work attire and the belief that email and phone calls were the primary means of communication with colleagues. However, my introduction to the fast-paced Slack discussions at the Financial Times San Francisco bureau changed my perspective within the first week. I swiftly adapted my wardrobe to align with the casual dress code of jumpers and trainers prevalent in the office.
The tech industry has demonstrated that informality does not equate to unprofessionalism or decreased productivity. Nevertheless, this concept is still making its way into more conservative segments of society, along with questions about the appropriateness of conducting certain types of work through chat platforms.
This issue came to mind during the Epic Games versus Google trial last year. While the focus was on Google’s app store, the judge expressed surprise at the extent of [ppp1].
He criticized Google for treating such communication differently from emails. Features like auto-delete settings contribute to the conversational and transient nature of messages. However, the judge viewed this as tampering with evidence.
I, like many others, have seamlessly integrated chat into my communication habits without considering this aspect. The resemblance to texting makes it easy to blur the lines between personal and professional conversations. The multitude of group chats and individual messages creates a continuous background buzz that can be both addictive and distracting, albeit not always conducive to productivity.
To trace the origins of this phenomenon, one must revisit San Francisco in 2013. While organizational messaging tools—or enterprise platforms—were not novel, Slack’s emergence marked a significant shift. Slack’s vibrant colors are reminiscent of its roots in a failed multiplayer online game project. Founder Stewart Butterfield pivoted to develop an internal chat platform, which gained popularity among start-ups for its design. By 2015, Wired published an article titled: “The Fastest Growing Business App in History”.
Messaging platforms like Slack claim to reduce the need for meetings, with emojis providing quick reactions that streamline communication. Instant messaging has even been credited with reducing noise in open-plan offices by shifting casual conversations online.
However, a downside emerges when employees become too relaxed and forget that they are using a work tool that is not always private. This was exemplified by [ppp2] when she departed from the New York Times, citing instances of colleagues criticizing her on the platform.
Although Slack has experienced a decline in popularity in recent times, primarily following its acquisition by Salesforce for $28 billion in 2021, the culture of continuous and informal workplace communication it fostered remains prevalent. Despite facing stiff competition from rivals like Google, the trend of ongoing, casual workplace interactions shows no signs of fading away.