You’re trying to keep things flowing in your remote workplace. You’ve got Slack, or if you hate humanity, you might have Microsoft teams or perhaps an enterprise solution that negated everyone’s bonus last year. All that said, let’s get to work. The first order of business is how long you should wait to hear back from a chat engaged by you to another employee.

Immediately = you have nothing to do and no other outlet for belonging than staring at the chat window awaiting my calling. It would be best if you made more friends.

Within 1 minute = you're diligent, keeping tabs on all the blinking lights, and I'd allow you to control my life support system.

Within 3 minutes = well, I probably should have @handedled you to get your attention, or maybe you were peeing.

Within 5 minutes = you're busy, ok? Thanks for half-ass caring.

Within 10 minutes = I hope you've been pooping.

Within 15 minutes = It would have been accepted had I seen your status as "in a meeting."

Within 30 minutes = Christ, I'm glad you're not a fireman.

Within an hour = How did the interview go?

Within a few hours = What's your favorite thing about financial independence?

Close to the end of the day = I'm writing up your roles and responsibilities for a new job posting and what you feel is most important about your contributions?

The next day = And you are?

Actual stats – see more here.