⚡ Rocket.net – Managed WordPress Hosting

MiltonMarketing.com  Powered by Rocket.net – Managed WordPress Hosting

Bernard Aybouts - Blog - MiltonMarketing.com

Approx. read time: 4.9 min.

Post: Understanding the Impact of ‘Hey-Hanging’ on Workplace Stress: Four Key Insights

Understanding the Impact of ‘Hey-Hanging’ on Workplace Stress: Four Key Insights. March 1st is Employee Appreciation Day, but research reveals that over half of American workers feel isolated with no support for workplace issues. Discussions about boosting employee morale and mental health support are prevalent, yet the issue of change fatigue remains significant. A recent study indicates that many leaders still subscribe to outdated management philosophies, mistakenly believing that being rude, manipulative, or aggressive will enhance productivity. This approach negatively impacts employees’ productivity, particularly when rudeness is conveyed through emails. Moreover, experts have identified a damaging trend known as ‘hey-hanging,’ which adversely affects employee mental health.

Try my custom CHATGPT for OHS – By Bernard Aybout –  Ask the OHS Ontario Health and Safety Act. If the law could talk back.

Understanding ‘Hey-Hanging’ and Its Popularity The concept of ‘hey-hanging’ underscores the importance of thoughtful communication by leaders. It refers to scenarios where an employer sends a message starting with a vague “Hey” or “Hi” without clarifying the message’s intent. This practice can lead to significant delays in response from the recipient. In today’s workplace, where many interactions happen over digital messaging platforms like Slack, especially among remote or hybrid teams, such ambiguous exchanges can leave employees feeling anxious and uncomfortable.

The silent frustration caused by ‘hey-hanging’ has existed for some time, akin to an ’emperor has no clothes’ scenario. It only became widely acknowledged following several viral posts, leading to a collective realization of its annoyance.

Understanding the Impact of ‘Hey-Hanging’ on Workplace Stress: Four Key Insights

Addressing ‘Hey-Hanging’ for Employees The phenomenon of ‘hey-hanging’ from a boss exacerbates worker anxiety, with employees often bracing for negative follow-ups. The initial “hey” message without context leaves recipients in suspense, causing undue stress. To foster respect among employees, it’s advised to avoid leaving messages ‘hanging.’ If such a message is sent, following up promptly with the intended message can help alleviate stress. Addressing ‘hey-hanging’ quickly is crucial in preventing emotional distress and feelings of neglect, which may contribute to a larger issue of workplace toxicity filled with micro-aggressions. Directly asking for clarification can be a simple yet effective way to deal with ‘hey-hanging,’ underscoring the importance of clear communication in maintaining a healthy and productive work environment.

How Employers Can Directly Address ‘Hey-Hanging’ ‘Hey-hanging’ has a detrimental effect on workplace morale, potentially discouraging employees from engaging due to fear of being ignored. Emphasizing strong communication is vital for a positive work culture, especially important in today’s environment with remote or dispersed teams. Organizations can tackle ‘hey-hanging’ directly by:

  1. Establishing guidelines for messaging best practices on platforms like Slack or Teams.
  2. Highlighting the importance of providing context in messages.
  3. Encouraging managers to follow up with informative messages to ease concerns.
  4. Promoting a people-first culture by developing strong emotional intelligence among leaders.

Proactively engaging with employees about culture, morale, and satisfaction is crucial. By welcoming genuine feedback and being transparent in communication, employers can address and mitigate the impacts of ‘hey-hanging,’ fostering an environment of collaboration and respect.

Understanding the Impact of ‘Hey-Hanging’ on Workplace Stress: Four Key Insights

Several communication platforms similar to Slack, including Slack itself, that are widely used in professional settings for team collaboration and messaging:

  1. Slack: A popular team collaboration tool that offers messaging, file sharing, and integrations with numerous third-party services, making it a versatile platform for real-time communication and workflow management.
  2. Microsoft Teams: Integrated with Microsoft 365, it provides comprehensive collaboration and communication solutions, including video conferencing, file storage, and extensive app integrations.
  3. Zoom Chat: While Zoom is best known for its video conferencing capabilities, it also offers a chat feature that allows for team messaging, file sharing, and the ability to create separate channels for different topics or projects.
  4. Google Chat: Part of the Google Workspace, it facilitates direct messages and team chat rooms, along with deep integration with other Google services like Drive, Docs, and Meet for a seamless collaboration experience.
  5. Discord: Originally designed for gamers, Discord has gained popularity among various communities, including businesses, for its voice, video, and text communication capabilities. It offers private servers, channels, and integration with other apps.
  6. Mattermost: An open-source platform offering high levels of customization and control, designed for companies with stringent data privacy and security requirements. It supports messaging, file sharing, and integrations with other tools.
  7. Chanty: A simple and fast team chat app designed to boost internal communication. It offers text messaging, voice messages, and video calls, along with task management features.
  8. Rocket.Chat: Another open-source messaging platform that allows for customization and self-hosting options, offering features like chat, file sharing, and video conferencing.
  9. Flock: A communication and collaboration app that provides messaging, video calls, to-do lists, and reminders, aimed at streamlining workflow and boosting productivity.
  10. Twist: Created by the team behind Todoist, Twist is designed for asynchronous communication, focusing on threads to keep conversations organized and minimize distractions.

These platforms offer a range of features tailored to different organizational needs, from real-time communication to task management and integration with other business tools.

About the Author: Bernard Aybout (Virii8)

Avatar of Bernard Aybout (Virii8)
I am a dedicated technology enthusiast with over 45 years of life experience, passionate about computers, AI, emerging technologies, and their real-world impact. As the founder of my personal blog, MiltonMarketing.com, I explore how AI, health tech, engineering, finance, and other advanced fields leverage innovation—not as a replacement for human expertise, but as a tool to enhance it. My focus is on bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical applications, ensuring ethical, responsible, and transformative use across industries. MiltonMarketing.com is more than just a tech blog—it's a growing platform for expert insights. We welcome qualified writers and industry professionals from IT, AI, healthcare, engineering, HVAC, automotive, finance, and beyond to contribute their knowledge. If you have expertise to share in how AI and technology shape industries while complementing human skills, join us in driving meaningful conversations about the future of innovation. 🚀