My boss keeps texting me outside of work. Sometimes it's quite work-related, but other times it's things like "how are you today?" If I don't reply, it feels like they'll think I don't care, but if I do respond, I wonder if I'm being too familiar. Do you think I should try to understand the message behind this or should I just make my boundaries clear?
So when did these messages start? Did it just begin, or has it always been like this? If it came up later, there might be something behind it, but if it's been like this from the beginning, maybe that's just how the character is.
There are many bosses who do this, partly due to workaholism and partly because they can't gauge that distance... I don't think it necessarily means they want to flirt; some do it to look like a 'good person.' But still, it's beneficial to set a boundary.
But if you're responding to all these messages, they might think that's normal too. Why didn't you say clearly at first, 'let's not message outside of work during these hours'? Now that you've drawn the line, they're going against it.
From an HR perspective, this might relate a bit to workplace culture. Even if there aren't specific messaging rules within the company, it's best to clearly express your personal boundaries. No matter what time it is, you are not obligated to respond to messages that are not work-related.
Thank you all very much. Actually, this situation seems to have started in the last 3 months. Before, it was just work-related. They didn't say anything lowbrow, but it feels strange for them to write things like 'how are you today?'.
I swear it's not nice at all. A boss should know their boundaries. Writing at night is really an intrusion into personal life! Friends and family might think badly if they hear it; it could easily be misunderstood. I think you should definitely take a firm stance 😅
