I was scrolling through my emails when my phone started to buzz.
I glanced down and saw that it was a notification from the work group chat.
Accidentally sent some gossip into the work group chat
I quickly tapped on the message and my heart sank when I saw that I had accidentally sent a screenshot of me gossiping about one of my colleagues into the chat.
It had all started earlier that day when I was texting in another group chat with a few of my coworkers. We had been talking about the latest office gossip when one of them asked me my opinion about a certain colleague.
I had been caught off guard and without thinking, I had blurted out a few harsh words about them.
I accidentally screenshot the conversation without noticing and while sending something into the work group chat, i had accidentally included the screenshot.
Instantaneously, I felt my heart sink into my stomach and my face flush with embarrassment. I quickly tried to delete the message, but it was too late. Everyone had seen it and the air in the office was suddenly filled with uncomfortable tension.
I was sure that I was going to be fired. I had broken the company’s code of conduct by gossiping and then I had made matters worse by sending the screenshot to the group chat.
I was sure that I was going to be reprimanded and would have to apologize to the colleague I had been gossiping about.
Lucky to be let off with a warning
Thankfully, I was let off with only a warning. HR got me and this colleague to come together and talk out our issues and then reminded me on the code of conduct.
Although the incident had been embarrassing, it had taught me an important lesson about digital etiquette.
I had learned to be more careful when using my phone and to always be mindful of the potential consequences of my actions.
I also learned to be more respectful of my colleagues and to think twice before speaking ill of anyone.