HELP! Being contacted by work whilst I'm on holiday....this surely can't be right...

Natasha20

I think you need to tell whoever is contacting you that you don't mind being contacted in an absolute emergency but that if they continue to contact you for issues that that are not emergencies, that you will have no option but to ignore their calls and texts which will result in you missing any emergency calls.

sanderson_2

Wow,

Thanks everyone, this is my 1st time on here and this has been helpful, big time.

I am management there and I do understand that sometimes work could need to contact me but NOT unnecessarily whilst I'm on holiday. Never in all my jobs have I ever been contacted whilst on holiday and I wouldn't dream of contacting any of my staff whilst knowing their on their holiday's.

I am going to get a PAYG phone as you said, many thanks! Have just had mobile number changed so no more calls/texts!

Perhaps I should draw my boundaries clearer as I believe that work is work (as much as I love my job) and my time with my children is precious and they do not deserve to have me stressing about work contacting me!

Many thanks

Anderson

freakyogre

sanderson wrote: »

Wow,

Thanks everyone, this is my 1st time on here and this has been helpful, big time.

I am management there and I do understand that sometimes work could need to contact me but NOT unnecessarily whilst I'm on holiday. Never in all my jobs have I ever been contacted whilst on holiday and I wouldn't dream of contacting any of my staff whilst knowing their on their holiday's.

I am going to get a PAYG phone as you said, many thanks! Have just had mobile number changed so no more calls/texts!

Perhaps I should draw my boundaries clearer as I believe that work is work (as much as I love my job) and my time with my children is precious and they do not deserve to have me stressing about work contacting me!

Many thanks

Anderson

My old manager used to say we could contact him in an absolute emergency when he was day off/on holiday, but anything else could wait. Generally we could sort it out ourselves, or take it to someone more senior, but it was nice to know he was there if we really needed him (we didn't take the p!ss).

I don't blame you for wanting to spend time with your family at all, just let work know that when you're off, you're off (unless urgent) and it will either have to wait, or they'll need to sort it out themselves.

feesh

You're lucky, where I work there is a culture of Blackberry use on holiday and I am made to feel guilty because I am the only one who doesn't have one. My managers all send emails and texts throughout the night, and at weekends. And it doesn't stop if they go away.

sanderson_2

Unfortunately the p!ss has already been taken. This has happened several times now for things that could wait, my AM is always around and that should always be the first call.

I did and have made it clear that when I'm on holiday or it's my day off I'm off, if there was an extreme emergency I'd be contactable but really the AM is around for that support. How much could I do if I wasn't in the country? It's the principle. I do not contact them, why should I be contacted?

As for the Blackberry culture....I'd say good for you and don't get one!

Many thanks

Anderson

SomeBozo

All these problems stem from not having a proper "hand over" when you go on holiday.

I have a system where, before commencing a holiday, the most relavant people meet up and "hand over" all the issues that are currently on-going.

Each person is tasked with "taking over" all on-going issues.

Then we list "5 things" that might become a issue (or to quote someone, "the main 5 things that will come back and bite me in the !!! while I am off").

We go through each of the issues and decide what to do in the case they crop up.

These meetings last no longer than an hour.

The employee is happy as they know all their issues are covered and the employer knows what the deal is with on-going issues.

If a issue comes up that was not covered, and the employee needs to be rang at home, the "hand over" process is wrong and needs looking at.

Neither the employer nor the employee wins if people have to be rang at home.

Bozo

sanderson_2

I truly 'handed over' absolutely everything covered and I believe these meeting are a great way of communicating clearly!

I totally agree with you Bozo but when you have someone contact you to 'see if I can have some time off near the end of the year?' you seriously start to wonder how many ways you can tell someone not to contact you. It seems so very petty because it's just a call/text but I really do not see the necessity of it whilst I'm off?

I have never contacted my staff or boss whilst they've been on holiday. Could you imagine having the best of times and your phone goes....'work'.....yes, you can choose not to answer/read, but it's already done. I can't think how many times I have been contacted over such petty matters (admittedly I haven't always answered/replied). Perhaps I have the wrong staff?

Thanks

freakyogre

Maybe you have. I'll come and work for you and I promise not to pester you when you're off I rarely take holidays either so there'd be no worry of me ringing you asking for time off and I can use my brain and make a decision by myself!

Did I mention I make good tea as well?

Metranil_Vavin

I never ever take my Blackberry on holiday. I work with people who insist on checking their emails whilst away, and all that happens is they stress and worry about what is going on back in the office for their precious week or 2 away!...utter madness!!!

I make sure the guy I work with knows exactly what needs doing and if he is likely to have to deal with any of my accounts whilst I'm away. And he has never called me whilst I've been away, and I repay him the same favour.

No one at work has my personal mobile number.

sanderson_2

My goodness.....are you real? :rotfl:

I make good tea too, a firm believer in treat people how I'd like to be treated!

So after my 3 days of holiday I now have a new phone number which will not be given out freely and new appreciation of the word 'holiday' & am gonna have a drinky and chill out...after all isn't that what having a 'holiday' is all about?!!

Anderson