As remote work becomes more common, the line between personal and professional life continues to blur.

This shift has left many employees unsure about what online behaviour is considered private—and what could potentially land them in hot water at work.

Human Resource expert Irene Njoroge underscores the importance of “chatiquette”—chat etiquette—especially in workplace WhatsApp groups.

“Though these groups may feel informal, they still serve an official function,” she explains.

Just like in a physical office, etiquette matters in digital workspaces. Njoroge advises keeping messages within working hours unless absolutely necessary and being selective with what you share.

“Only post content that aligns with the group’s purpose,” she says. “Avoid flooding the chat with memes, personal jokes, or non-work-related forwards—unless the group is clearly meant to be casual.”

She also warns against habits that seem harmless but often disrupt communication, such as sending daily greetings (like repetitive “Good Morning” messages), religious forwards, or chain messages.

“These quickly become irritating and make it harder to focus on important updates,” she notes.

Despite being work-related, messaging platforms still need boundaries.

“Let social apps remain light and casual,” Njoroge says. “It’s crucial to maintain this distinction because, during urgent moments, these platforms are often the fastest way to reach someone. When used thoughtfully, they’re powerful collaboration tools.”

In more formal group chats, Njoroge recommends steering clear of casual banter and lengthy messages. “If you have a lot to say, an email or phone call is usually more appropriate.”

She also addresses a common question: how to exit a work WhatsApp group after leaving a company. “There’s no perfect script,” she says, “but a polite message explaining your departure and thanking the team goes a long way.”

To keep communication effective, she suggests using tags (@) to address someone directly and acknowledging key messages with a simple thumbs-up or a brief “Noted.”

Above all, she advises against using group chats to express grievances. “WhatsApp is not your HR department,” she says firmly. “Use proper channels when offering feedback or raising concerns.”

Keeping it classy: How to stay professional in work whatsapp groups

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Muthoni Wanjiku