Phone ringing during lunch break!

~Beanie~

My last job was the same as yours, I ignored the phone. Do you have an answerphone where you could leave a message?

I also used to get people coming and asking me things during lunch, I used to politely but firmly remind them that I was on lunch and would be 'back' at whatever time.

AP007

Get an ipod plug in the earphones and you can not hear the phone

If you do not all go to lunch at the same time then someone else will have to pick it up

At my old place we all knew who in accounts was at lunch or not so if my phone rang when I was eating someone else picked it up and took a message.

zzzLazyDaisy

You have worked there less than three months and you are complaining it annoys you that there is nowhere to sit and eat lunch away from your desk, and that the phone rings during your lunch break? It seems to me that you have bigger things to worry about - during the first two years of service the employer can terminate your employment for any reason, or no reason at all (provided they don't breach the anti-discrimination laws), so you might want to think twice before annoying your employer!

Your office is clearly not located in the middle of a desert, since there is a pub close enough for your work colleagues to go and have lunch. Maybe you could consider going with them once a week for a change? Perhaps you could take a chair and sit outside your office and eat your sandwiches? Or take a walk round the block and eat your sandwiches when you get back. Whatever, I suggest that you do something that involves you getting away from your desk at lunchtimes, rather than sit and moan about this, because you will not endear yourself to your colleagues or your employer.

hartcjhart

so where do the production staff go for their tea breaks??

HeadAboveWater

Go for a walk. The fresh air will do you good.

I get 45 mins for lunch, unpaid, and I'm not in the office for any of those 45 mins. I'm entitled so I take it.

fiscalfreckles

You don't have to answer it.

But if you're just sitting there anyway, you might as well.

Reggie_Rebel

As others have said go for a walk. When you are at your desk can you take the 'phone of the hook?

Barneysmom

You are lucky tbh, at least you get a lunch break.
I've just driven to Watford to do a 2 hour job then drove home without a break. 3 hour drive each way.
Just answer the phone, if it's a customer it'll be to your benefit in the long run.

LittleMissAspie

People are being a little harsh, I can understand why you find this annoying. 30 minutes is not a long lunch break and you want to make the most of it.

I switch my own phone to divert to voicemail when I'm at lunch (usually just sit at my desk to eat). If I forget to do that and it rings, I answer it.

You might not be able to do that on a shared phone though. I would say the issue is everyone taking lunch at the same time, you should be arranging who will take an early lunch and who will take a late lunch so that the office is always covered.

As well as that you should go for a walk round the block so that you aren't there to pick up the phone. Doesn't matter if there's no shops or nowhere to go, some time outside away from your desk is healthy and will refresh you. It also reinforces that you are taking a break and are not available until your break is finished.

pinkshoes

Just answer the phone and extend your lunchbreak by 2 minutes or however long the call was?

If someone says something, then just stop answering the phone.