Phone ringing during lunch break!

Abbafan1972

Just a general vent really.

I started a new job at the beginning of January and we get half hour lunch at 1.00.

It annoys me because there's nowhere to eat your lunch other than your desk, hence the phone rings and it seems you're still expected to answer it. Everyone goes to lunch and the same time (in my last job we used to rotate). The phones aren't really busy, but people seem to always choose that half hour to ring.

I could go out, but there's nothing to do round here and half hour isn't long enough really to venture out too far, I travel by bus to work, so I don't have a car I can sit in.

I work in a factory (in the office) and a group of the production staff go out to the pub which is just round the corner, but I don't like going to the pub during work hours and I would have to gulp my drink down quickly anyway, and where do I eat my sandwiches?

At some point, I'm supposed to be moving upstairs where there's more room, so it might be better then, but don't know.

What do you all do?

TadleyBaggie

If my phone rings I answer it...always.

Abbafan1972

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

If my phone rings I answer it...always.

Even during an unpaid lunch break?

It's not my personal phone, it's for the whole company (we don't have a reception desk or anything, it's just whoever picks the phone up 1st).

Phil_68

Are you the only one left in the office?
Are you expected to answer it?

If so, then ask your boss if you can split the lunch breaks so he has cover for the phones. You will be seen as proactive and forward thinking, or you will find out the type of boss you're working for

Phil.

bodmil

Yes I answer the phone at lunch, I answer my work phone whenever it rings.

Abbafan1972

bodmil wrote: »

Yes I answer the phone at lunch, I answer my work phone whenever it rings.

As per my previous post, even during an "unpaid" break?

snuggle69

Exactly the same in our office, but it doesnt bother me. Its all down to give and take if I do little things like that in my lunchbreak then if I ever need to leave early or take my son to the hospital its never an issue. I cant honestly see what the big issue is with it to be honest but if it bothers you that much if you have a car then go and sit in that no one makes you sit in the office.

And YES this is in an unpaid break. This day and age we are all lucky to have jobs

bodmil

Abbafan1972 wrote: »

As per my previous post, even during an "unpaid" break?

Absolutely, I don't get paid any overtime but still answer the phone and emails outside of office hours.

I am required to work unpaid overtime as necessary to fulfill my duties.

Abbafan1972

snuggle69 wrote: »

Exactly the same in our office, but it doesnt bother me. Its all down to give and take if I do little things like that in my lunchbreak then if I ever need to leave early or take my son to the hospital its never an issue. I cant honestly see what the big issue is with it to be honest but if it bothers you that much if you have a car then go and sit in that no one makes you sit in the office.

And YES this is in an unpaid break. This day and age we are all lucky to have jobs

Read my original post re the car. And no, no-one forces me to sit in the office, but my point is there's nowhere else!

Fluff15

Take a walk to the shops and eat your sandwiches when you're back, move away from the desk and unplug the phone, go to the pub anyway without a drink? Pretend your on your mobile, sit in the toilet? If you're sitting at your desk you're not getting much of a refreshing break anyway!

snuggle69

Abbafan1972 wrote: »

Read my original post re the car. And no, no-one forces me to sit in the office, but my point is there's nowhere else!

There is nothing at all around our office either, however if I want to get out I just go for a walk. Wherever you are you can do that if you feel so strongly about answering the phone