The Availability Green Dot Remains Provisionally Approved
The green dot is on. The person is in another room writing a document that requires no green dot.
INCIDENT REPORT Subject: Availability Green Dot Date: Today, as with most days
Summary
The green dot indicating "active" or "online" status remains illuminated on the subject's profile across three communication platforms. The subject is not actively using any of these platforms. The subject is in the kitchen making tea, then back at their desk writing a document in a text editor with no internet functionality.
The dot is green. The record reflects presence.
Timeline
9:04 AM: Subject opens laptop. All platforms automatically update status to active. Green dots appear on all platforms.
9:14 AM: Subject begins working in text editor (offline document).
9:14 AM through 12:30 PM: Green dot remains active across all platforms. Three messages arrive. Two are Slack notifications for threads the subject is not part of. One is a direct message asking if the subject is available for a quick call.
10:43 AM: Subject leaves desk to make tea.
10:43 AM through 10:51 AM: Green dot continues to indicate presence. Subject is in the kitchen.
The Governing Behavior
Any availability green dot visible to colleagues may count as progress until someone asks for the underlying work. The dot has not been interpreted as a status indicator. It has been interpreted as a signal of participation. Colleagues feel comfortable sending non-urgent messages because the green dot suggests the subject can be interrupted.
The subject can be interrupted. The subject is working on a document that requires no interruption. The interruptions arrive.
Contributing Factor
Everyone performs the availability green dot as though visibility and progress are the same thing. The subject does not contest this. Setting status to "away" while working from home creates ambiguity. "Away" implies unavailability. Unavailability requires explanation.
No explanation is given.
Status
The green dot is on. The document is being written. The tea is cooling. The record reflects a productive Tuesday.