A news published by the Huffpost portal on June 13 reported the experience of an employee from LVMH Iberia, who, when going on vacation during the Summer of 2023, was added to WhatsApp groups of the company where she worked.

The employee, who found herself forced to work during her time off, even against her will, resolved the pending issues that were requested of her, and still, on her return to the company, was dismissed.

The multinational was sued by the professional in court for interrupting her vacation and demanding work outside of business hours, resulting in a fine of 70,000 euros for the corporation.

Although the case is extreme, the fact is that similar initiatives happen all the time in organizations, since WhatsApp became popular in the corporate environment. The disregard for labor rules regarding working hours and the request for tasks from employees are becoming increasingly frequent, conveying to employers the false idea that by having the app, the team is obliged to stay connected to the company full time.

In this article, we will address the right to digital disconnection. This is an emerging and necessary issue, especially in organizations that use WhatsApp as the main communication channel. Check it out!

Also read: Awareness in corporate WhatsApp: monitoring and limits of interaction

What does it mean to cross the boundaries of business hours

If companies knew the amount of transgressions committed against an employee by contacting them outside of working hours, they would certainly think twice before sending a message on WhatsApp on a day off. More than a lack of common sense, corporations that engage in this practice are:

• invading the employee's privacy and using their personal data (the WhatsApp number) unlawfully, which is provided for in the General Data Protection Law;

• exerting informal pressure on the employee, which can generate anxiety;

• disregarding the policies regarding work hours and rest as provided in CLT and collective agreements;

• putting the company's reputation at risk, which can be held liable for the illegalities in court.

Reflecting on the need for clear policies regarding the app's use, separating personal devices or accounts from professional use, in addition to raising awareness among leadership, are important practices to ensure that the corporation remains in compliance.

Also read: Why separate personal WhatsApp from corporate?

However, when there is no governance of communication through WhatsApp, it becomes more difficult for employers to prove limits and responsibilities, hence the importance of monitoring this tool to avoid labor issues.

Also read: The hidden danger of the massive use of corporate WhatsApp

Zapper helps to formalize corporate communication through WhatsApp

Monitoring interactions between bosses and employees is possible today with Zapper, a suite of solutions that monitors conversations occurring on corporate WhatsApp, detects keywords indicating misconduct during the dialogue, and issues an alert to the person responsible for communication.

In addition, Zapper offers a feature that points out the best times for communication on professional WhatsApp. The resource ensures greater predictability regarding peak interaction times, helping the company to structure its contact strategy in an organized and responsible manner. By aligning governance with efficiency, the tool contributes to more assertive communication and avoids weariness caused by sending messages at inappropriate times.

Zapper can also identify sentiments expressed in interactions, thanks to conversational intelligence. This resource provides a deeper understanding of conversations and enables better-informed decision-making. This visibility is essential to recognize when communication crosses the healthy boundary, whether due to insistence outside of work hours or inappropriate tone in messages. Thus, in addition to formalizing corporate communication, the tool helps the company build a more balanced and respectful environment for all involved.

Also read: Zapper launches new AI solution at Web Summit Rio 2025

All content captured and recorded by the tool is stored entirely in the cloud, with restricted access, for an indefinite period and with security. This content, including photos, audio, and images, is analyzed and formalized in qualitative reports that will provide important metrics and insights for improving internal processes.

Also read: The commercial strategy you need is on your employee's WhatsApp

Monitoring communication through WhatsApp is a matter of security for everyone communicating through the messenger, which can bring more peace of mind to professionals and encourage leaders to care for best practices within the company.

Count on Zapper to enhance your digital communication and assist your organization in remaining compliant!

Click here to schedule a demo of the tool.