/ˈslækˌlæʃ/
Definition
The psychological recoil that occurs upon opening Slack (or any corporate chat tool) and discovering an avalanche of unread messages, @mentions, and reaction emojis—none of which actually resolve the issue at hand. Typically followed by silent screaming and a performative :eye emoji.
Common Manifestations
- 142 unread threads, all titled “quick question.”
- 17 overlapping “urgent” DMs, each ending with “no rush though.”
- A channel created for “focus” discussions that now hosts memes, lunch pics, and existential breakdowns.
- Colleagues starting sentences with “Per my last Slack…”
- Team culture shifting from asynchronous communication to constant surveillance.
Usage Example
“I opened Slack after lunch and instantly suffered a full-blown Slacklash.”
HR Guidance
Slacklash is a recognized occupational hazard in high-communication environments. To reduce incidents, encourage employees to mute channels, schedule deep-work hours, and remember that ‘status: active’ doesn’t mean ‘emotionally available.’