Being contacted by work whilst on holiday/term time etc

dori2o

Can I ask for opinions on this please.

I have recently started to work term time and this week I'm off with the kids.

Obviously I'm not being paid for this week although may pay is averaged over the year.

My employer has emailed me today asking me to call them. I have done and it was quite frankly a waste of time and something that could have been dealt with next week considering the deadline for what they are asking about is the 27th February.

For future reference would I be within my rights to ignore any contact from my employer during the weeks for which I am not working and not being paid?

I'm thinking more about times when I may not be in, may have gone out for the day, or even (as we intend to do at some point) go away for a few days when I won't be monitring my phone/emails constantly.

I'm not at work so don't have access to the full guidance, but what I do have makes no reference to being contacted/being available for contact during the weeks I don't work.

Takeaway_Addict

Considering your past issues with employers I would suggest that whilst technically you may be right that actually you allow some leeway on this (providing that it doesn't become excessive)

The odd phone call is nothing and ultimately if you can't deal with the issue, whatever it is there and then, then say so.

If you're away where there isn't email/phone contact then let them know beforehand.

wiogs

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Considering your past issues with employers I would suggest that whilst technically you may be right that actually you allow some leeway on this (providing that it doesn't become excessive)

The odd phone call is nothing and ultimately if you can't deal with the issue, whatever it is there and then, then say so.

If you're away where there isn't email/phone contact then let them know beforehand.

Why would you think this necessary?

Gavin83

This is my stance on it. It's your time that you aren't being paid for and therefore if the company can't contact you, tough. However if I'm around and I'm not doing anything and my company rang me I'd help out. Is it really that much trouble to give 5 mins of your time to help your colleagues and earn some brownie points? Trust me, those brownie points come in use.

rach_k

You could ignore contact but is it really that bad to be asked to call them once? If ignoring my employer while I was off, I'd worry that I would miss something important, perhaps a call clarifying overtime or bank details for my pay, something I'd forgotten to do, or even just asking if I want to go on a work's night out.

I'd say one call in a week off is fine, especially as they asked you to call them so you can choose a convenient time - part of the give and take of having a good relationship with your employer. When you are working, would you want your employer to let you make a quick phone call about something you'd forgotten at home? Sometimes they may need a few minutes extra of your time but you may also want a few minutes on their time - as long as it all averages out, I wouldn't complain!

dori2o

rach_k wrote: »

You could ignore contact but is it really that bad to be asked to call them once? If ignoring my employer while I was off, I'd worry that I would miss something important, perhaps a call clarifying overtime or bank details for my pay, something I'd forgotten to do, or even just asking if I want to go on a work's night out.

I'd say one call in a week off is fine, especially as they asked you to call them so you can choose a convenient time - part of the give and take of having a good relationship with your employer. When you are working, would you want your employer to let you make a quick phone call about something you'd forgotten at home? Sometimes they may need a few minutes extra of your time but you may also want a few minutes on their time - as long as it all averages out, I wouldn't complain!

I'm not saying that I objected to the email which I responded to, I just wanted to know for future reference whether or not I had an obligation to respond if I wasn't in/available when they made contact.

dori2o

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Considering your past issues with [STRIKE]employers[/STRIKE] this employer I would suggest that whilst technically you may be right that actually you allow some leeway on this (providing that it doesn't become excessive)

The odd phone call is nothing and ultimately if you can't deal with the issue, whatever it is there and then, then say so.

If you're away where there isn't email/phone contact then let them know beforehand.

Corrected it for you.

I've only ever had 4 employers, (1) where I worked whilst still at school, (2) where I was for 6 years and completed my apprenticeship, (3) a stop gap job between redundancy from the 2nd job and (4) starting the job I have now which I've had for more than 11 years.

I've never had any issues with any of the other employers, just this one.

sinizterguy

I am an employer.

We may need to contact employees while on holiday / maternity leave / hangover to arrange / re-arrange work rota, cover for when they return or in some cases, to know when they are returning.

There may be other communication which need to sent to all employees, etc.

While I will give leeway to when they reply depending on circumstances - if they decide that they will not entertain any communication from me when they are off on holiday / maternity leave / hangover, I will not be entertaining being employer for very long.

Hazzinho

sinizterguy wrote: »

I am an employer.

While I will give leeway to when they reply depending on circumstances - if they decide that they will not entertain any communication from me when they are off on holiday / maternity leave / hangover, I will not be entertaining being employer for very long.

Glad I don't work for you, when I'm on holiday there is zero chance of me responding. Holidays are to escape work, when I'm on holiday that means holiday.

I've worked for 17 years and thankfully never had a boss like you. Why worry someone with work issues on holiday, I'd rather be oblivious to work issues and enjoy the break.

You must be badly organised if you can't manage people on holidays.

My advice to anyone who experiences this is to find another job as it's not the norm.

wiogs

sinizterguy wrote: »

I am an employer.

We may need to contact employees while on holiday / maternity leave / hangover to arrange / re-arrange work rota, cover for when they return or in some cases, to know when they are returning.

There may be other communication which need to sent to all employees, etc.

While I will give leeway to when they reply depending on circumstances - if they decide that they will not entertain any communication from me when they are off on holiday / maternity leave / hangover, I will not be entertaining being employer for very long.

As long as you pay them an "on call" bonus for being available when not actually at work some people may be delighted to receive a call from you:D

Reggie_Rebel

I think a lot has to do with your position in the company. If you have are part of a team then the rest of the team should be able to cover it.

If your role is specialised, or you are in a very senior position then expect to be contacted.