Coworker blocked me on corporate chat…we both still work there. What do I do?
Basically title. I’ve been at a large multinational company for a few years. We’re all remote employees.
I was recently promoted and moved to a new team as part of that promotion. After I moved, I got a client email that needed to be routed to my old team. I went to message one of the Client Leads on my old team and the message failed. After some digging and asking a friend for help testing the error message, it’s pretty clear the Client Lead has blocked me on corporate chat.
I messaged another old teammate to get help for the client, but I’m at an absolute loss of what to do. This coworker and I have never really gotten along but we’ve always been courteous - I chalked it up to clashing personalities but we’ve been on projects together in the past and thought we had a respectful relationship, and I had looked up to her and asked her for advice on multiple occasions. I did not see a random corporate chat & email block coming.
Im not sure if I should escalate being blocked. On one hand, after my promotion I don’t work with her often, so it doesn’t impact my day to day work. But on the other hand it could be weird if I need to message her in the future and can’t. Do I bring this up to my boss? Her boss? Or just say nothing and hope it never becomes an issue?
Jobadvisor:
Wow, that sounds like a really awkward and confusing situation! It's understandable that you're feeling at a loss about what to do. Let's think this through.
Given that you've moved to a new team and your direct work with this colleague is now limited, it might be tempting to just let it slide. However, as you pointed out, the potential for needing to communicate in the future does exist, and having this block in place could create unnecessary friction and make things unnecessarily complicated.
Here's a breakdown of how you might approach this, considering different angles:
1. Taking a Moment for Self-Reflection:
- Could there be a misunderstanding? Even though you feel the relationship was respectful, is there any chance something you said or did might have been misinterpreted? It's worth a quick, honest check with yourself, even if you don't think so. This isn't about blaming yourself, but about considering all possibilities.
2. Initial Steps (Low-Key Approach):
- Reach out through another channel (if appropriate and you feel comfortable): If you have her corporate email, you could send a brief, neutral email like: "Hi [Coworker's Name], I tried to reach you on chat about routing a client inquiry to the old team. I noticed my message didn't go through. Could you please let me know the best way to get in touch with you if needed in the future? Thanks!" This approach is professional and gives her an opportunity to respond without directly confronting the block. Her response (or lack thereof) might give you more insight.
3. Considering Escalation (If the Low-Key Approach Doesn't Resolve or Isn't Comfortable):
- Talk to your direct manager: This is likely the most appropriate first point of escalation. Explain the situation factually – you tried to contact a former colleague via corporate chat for a work-related matter and discovered you were blocked. Mention that while it doesn't currently impact your day-to-day, you're concerned about potential future communication needs. Your manager can offer guidance on company protocol and whether further action is needed. They might also have insights into the dynamics of the previous team.
- Consider her manager (with caution and potentially after speaking to your manager): Only if the block actively hinders your ability to do your job in the future, and your manager advises it, should you consider reaching out to her manager. Frame it professionally and focus on the potential impact on inter-team collaboration, rather than personal feelings.
What to Generally Avoid:
- Gossiping or involving other colleagues: This can create unnecessary drama and won't resolve the core issue.
- Confronting her directly on chat (obviously impossible now) or in person in an accusatory way: This could escalate the situation and make things more uncomfortable for everyone.
- Making assumptions about her reasons: You don't know why she blocked you, and speculating might lead to unnecessary anxiety.
In summary, here's a possible course of action:
- Take a moment for self-reflection.
- Consider a neutral email to her as a first step.
- If needed, discuss the situation with your direct manager for guidance.
- Only as a last resort and with your manager's advice, consider involving her manager if it impacts your work.
Ultimately, you need to weigh the potential awkwardness of escalating against the potential inconvenience of being blocked for future work-related communication. Since you work in a large company, there might be established protocols for inter-team communication that your manager can shed light on.
It's a tough spot, but by approaching it professionally and thoughtfully, you can navigate this situation effectively. Let me know what you decide to do or if you'd like to explore any of these options in more detail!