'Hey Hanging' Is The Rudest Workplace Behavior. Are You Guilty Of It?
The Power of a Simple Hello: Why “Hey” on Slack Can Spark Anxiety
Three letters. One syllable. In digital workspaces like Slack or Google Chat, a single “hey” can carry more weight than a longer, more deliberate message. For many people, that tiny greeting feels like an open-ended invitation to an anxious guessing game: What does this person want? Am I about to be pulled into a conference room for layoffs? If you’ve never chatted with the sender before, that “hey” can trigger even more second-guessing.
In the age of asynchronous communication, a lone “hey” often lands with a pause and a lot of interpretations. Some coworkers may reply right away; others won’t. With remote teams, the lag is common, and the lack of context can leave recipients swirling: Is this an urgent request, a casual check-in, or something else entirely?
Experts agree that a clear purpose matters. “All communication at work via email or Slack should have a clear agenda and purpose, either providing information or enough context for the receiver to reply,” says Pattie Ehsaei, a senior VP in mergers and acquisitions lending. A bare “hey” leaves the recipient guessing and can stall productivity.
Why “hey” feels different—and when it’s worse
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Ambiguity breeds anxiety. Short messages like “hey” don’t convey intent, so people fill in the blanks with worst-case scenarios.
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It depends on relationships. People who know each other well can handle quick, informal exchanges, but newcomers or cross-department colleagues may misread the tone or urgency.
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It’s easy to read as a pause before pressure. In some workplaces, a terse “OK” or a lone “k” can feel hostile in the same way a one-word reply can sting after a detailed question.
What to do about it
If you’re the sender
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Lead with purpose. Start with the task, not just a greeting. For example: “Jim, I’m finalizing the XYZ project and have two questions. Can we connect today?”
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Provide context. Briefly explain what you need and why it matters, which makes it easier for the recipient to respond quickly.
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Respect others’ time. Acknowledge schedules and offer options: “I’m in a meeting now; could you reply when you have a moment, or should we set a quick call?”
If you’re responding to a “hey.”
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Take control with clarity. A confident response can defuse anxiety: “Glad to hear from you. I’m in the middle of a project right now—do you need a quick answer or should we schedule a short call?”
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Set boundaries and options. If you need time, say so and propose a next step: “I can get back to you after 3 PM. Would you like a 15-minute call or a quick email with the details?”
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Keep the door open. Even a brief message that confirms you received the request and offers a path forward reduces ambiguity.
A little polish goes a long way
If a message must be brief, add a touch of warmth to keep things constructive. For example: “OK, great—thanks! I’ll review and get back to you shortly.” A cheery, specific reply can soften the sting of a curt acknowledgment.
Bottom line: In workplace chats, brevity without clarity often amplifies anxiety. Make your first message explicit about what you want, why it matters, and how you’d like to proceed. When in doubt, over-communicate a bit more upfront than you think you need to.
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