Teams away setting automatically switching on when not away

I've chatted with CIO's/leadership and it's a Microsoft Teams custom design most leaders love and do not want to disable once Teams is implemented within the organization. To most micromanaging managers, this helps them keep their employees on the ball/on their toes and constantly cognizant of making sure the employee is non stop working. Meaning: It's a reverse phycology mechanism used so that employees stay put at their home office desk because they know once they walk away for a couple minutes, that yellow "Away" status will appear fast. Basically, it's just another "Big Brother" application to help monitor and gauge an employees work performance virtually.

The problem is Teams changes to yellow or red when I work in Microsoft Excel so Teams is a bad big sibling - it squeals on you even when you are behaving a k a working diligently at home on the priorities given by the manager though not on Teams.

I get what you are saying AnnRad, that viewpoint is good (assuming our micromanagers now don't think we are not working).  But to many of us, those who work as large teams it's productive and useful to know if a certain teammate is actually available to speak/join in on a conversation about a key subject.  Happens often.

It is so frustrating! I have to read a lot of documents throughout the day on my computer, but the new Teams 'availability' setting makes it seem like I'm not available or working. With so many people working remotely these days, this feature is so frustrating!

It's February 2021 (almost March) and this issue has been a constant and yet inconsistent pain in the rear since it started.

Ironically I sometimes leave my desk for 15-20 minutes and remain available, while other times I go grab a coffee for 2-3 minutes and come back to an away status... Wish this made sense at least.