Warning to beware the perils of using work WhatsApp group

Extra.ie​

30-04-2025

WhatsApp group chats can 'blur the boundaries' between the professional and private lives of employees, a tribunal in Britain has warned.
It pointed out the dangers of colleagues mixing messages about work with social 'chit-chat, jokes and inappropriate language'.
A conversation between four female staff at a children's nursery was highlighted as a 'perfect example' of when the divide between people's jobs and personal relationships goes wrong. WhatsApp. Pic: Oasisamuel/Shutterstock
The ruling came in the case of a deputy manager, Laura Pagnello, who took action against Barrow Hill Pre-School in London after she was referred to as 'witcheypoo' in the group chat.
While her case was dismissed, the tribunal criticised the nursery. Judge Garry Smart expressed 'disappointment' that a 'simple issue' of the nursery briefly breaching its ratio of staff to children had led to a family feud, calls to police, a 'dubious' referral to the local authority, 'childish' comments on WhatsApp and the resignation of every trustee from the facility's board.
The hearing was told Ms Pagnello was related by marriage to the nursery's boss, Mandy Rogan, and that she was friends as well as colleagues with childcare practitioners Kelly Shailer and Karen McKenna.
The preschool had a WhatsApp group called the 'A-Team' with the four being members.
The 'watershed moment' was an incident in June 2023 when, due to a medical emergency, Mrs Rogan had to leave work. This left Ms Pagnello with fewer staff than was required to supervise the children. Pic: Fiordaliso / Getty Images
She voiced her concerns to members of the nursery's trustees in front of parents that the ratio was 'in breach of the law'.
The tribunal heard that the relations with her fellow staff began to deteriorate. On the last day of term in July, Ms McKenna and Mrs Rogan went for a late 'bottomless prosecco' lunch while Ms Shailer went straight on holiday.
Ms Shailer put in the group chat: 'Left witcheypoo mopping coz Mandy said she has to do her work lol'. When Ms Pagnello took exception, Ms Shailer responded: 'Soz p* on the beach.'
The following month, Mrs Rogan told Ms Pagnello she was facing disciplinary proceedings over the June incident, alleging she had 'acted in a manner that was disrespectful and unprofessional in front of parents'.
Ms Pagnello accused Mrs Rogan of bullying her and then reported the pre-school to Ofsted.
Ms Pagnello was signed off with stress and, after a warning, quit in March last year, taking the nursery to the tribunal claiming whistleblower detriments and constructive dismissal.
However, the panel found her treatment had not been due to her making protected disclosures, and she had not been sacked.