In its simplest and most convenient form, it’s a benign exclamation designed to grab one’s attention or even to extend a friendly salutation. But how does the old adage go? Location is everything?
When used in the workplace, a recent study has found that the word “hey” is an immediate, negative trigger for a majority of employees. For those in whom the use of “hey” prompts a sudden fight or flight response, the word itself is less problematic than what follows, often nothing.
The practice of initiating a correspondence with the single word is called “hey hanging,” and it can do a number on the recipient. Athenia Hasbani, a 31-year-old account director at Lucky Generals ad agency in New York, told the Wall Street Journal, “It’s like, ‘Am I fired? Am I in trouble? Is your mom OK?’ My mind goes to the worst places.”
She’s not alone. The lack of context can prove a breeding ground for mental anxiety, sending the recipient down a rabbit hole of worst-case scenarios. As a result, many employees are resorting to a wait-and-see approach, ignoring the initial message altogether and standing by for the follow-up.
[NY Post]
