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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to not be expected to answer emails at the weekend?

87 replies

FrustratedToday · 17/07/2024 18:00

Awkward conversation with landlord today. An email was sent on a Friday whilst I was at work. I replied on Monday morning. My landlord seems to think that I should be picking up emails at the weekend. I've firmly said that isn't possible, but now I'm wondering if I'm being unreasonable. I have said that a text message if there is anything urgent would be better as I can quickly respond after work. AIBU to think that I should be able to enjoy my weekend without interference?

OP posts:
Spinet · 17/07/2024 18:30

So you didn't see the message which is why you didn't reply? And couldn't reply to the email during their opening hours? If that's right, the LL really is a tosser. Even if it's not right they should call you if they need an urgent reply to something. Communication 101 isn't it.

InvestinITMN · 17/07/2024 18:29

FrustratedToday · 17/07/2024 18:28

Yep, did this.

Show quote history

expect him to use the break clause as soon as he can

pinacollateral · 17/07/2024 18:29

FrustratedToday · 17/07/2024 18:22

It's not that I don't respond. It is that on one day a week I have a very long work day and more work in the evening. I cannot access digital devices during these work hours due to the nature of the work. My landlord was annoyed that I didn't respond until Monday morning. Given that my landlord is an part of an organisation that is only open during working hours I assumed that there would be no problem replying on Monday morning. For urgent queries thay do have my mobile number and can text me, which would obviously get a more prompt response.
The email was to ask if a morning next week would be OK for a tradesman to visit.
Can see that I'm obviously being completely unreasonable on this. Maybe I need to think about moving.
Thank you all.

YANBU at all.

If it was urgent then your landlord should have called you. It clearly wasn't urgent so Monday is fine.

People expect everything instantly these days, it drives me mad.

betterangels · 17/07/2024 18:28

InvestinITMN · 17/07/2024 18:13

so if your boiler breaks down…. totally reasonable for LL to be silent because it’s the weekend?

I mean, this. Would you be OK with that?

He's not your boss. YABU.

Original poster
FrustratedToday · 17/07/2024 18:28

Aquamarine1029 · 17/07/2024 18:27

Just tell your landlord that if it's urgent, he needs to text you, and you will do the same. Problem solved.

Yep, did this.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 17/07/2024 18:27

Just tell your landlord that if it's urgent, he needs to text you, and you will do the same. Problem solved.

Andwegoroundagain · 17/07/2024 18:27

Some people respond to emails promptly others prefer a phone call. Just tell the landlord which works best for you when they need a timely response

Original poster
FrustratedToday · 17/07/2024 18:27

menopausalmare · 17/07/2024 18:02

I wouldn't answer work emails at the weekend but any email that concerned my home life, I would.
When would you prefer your landlord to contact you if he/she can't when you're working and can't when you're at home?

It's not that I have an issue with them contacting me, just an issue with being told off for not replying until the next working day. (their office is closed at the weekend anyway!)

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 17/07/2024 18:26

I check my emails several times a day but reply on my timescale. Why do you need to move? That's a bit ott, isn't it?

AlmostAJillSandwich · 17/07/2024 18:26

Tradesmen get booked up quickly, it was imo something that required an urgent reply, YABU.

Original poster
FrustratedToday · 17/07/2024 18:25

Shinyandnew1 · 17/07/2024 18:06

If you don’t reply to emails when you’re at work and don’t reply when it’s the weekend, when do you do reply?’

See previous post

OP posts:
Original poster
FrustratedToday · 17/07/2024 18:25

Pikapikapikachu11 · 17/07/2024 18:20

I don't check my emails everyday. I like to have time off from not only personal but work emails. The key is electronic mail, a quicker alternative to letters. Safe fo assume reasonable response as would a letter. It isn't instant messaging.

If urgent, text or call. If un urgent, email.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. This was my thinking, nice to know there's someone else out there who thinks this!

OP posts:
Original poster
FrustratedToday · 17/07/2024 18:23

Just for clarity, there are four weekday mornings that I can respond to emails.

OP posts:
Original poster
FrustratedToday · 17/07/2024 18:22

It's not that I don't respond. It is that on one day a week I have a very long work day and more work in the evening. I cannot access digital devices during these work hours due to the nature of the work. My landlord was annoyed that I didn't respond until Monday morning. Given that my landlord is an part of an organisation that is only open during working hours I assumed that there would be no problem replying on Monday morning. For urgent queries thay do have my mobile number and can text me, which would obviously get a more prompt response.
The email was to ask if a morning next week would be OK for a tradesman to visit.
Can see that I'm obviously being completely unreasonable on this. Maybe I need to think about moving.
Thank you all.

OP posts:
Pikapikapikachu11 · 17/07/2024 18:20

I don't check my emails everyday. I like to have time off from not only personal but work emails. The key is electronic mail, a quicker alternative to letters. Safe fo assume reasonable response as would a letter. It isn't instant messaging.

If urgent, text or call. If un urgent, email.

Suzieandthemonkeyfeet · 17/07/2024 18:18

My land lord did this and it was annoying - always on Sunday, non urgent but needed me to ‘do things’

AgnesX · 17/07/2024 18:18

Your LL should use your personal address and as it's personal to you, you should deal with on receipt ie whatever day of the week it is.

thinkfast · 17/07/2024 18:18

I think your landlord is entitled to assume that you will see an email over the weekend OP, as most people have a smart phone.

Whether they are entitled to assume you will reply is entirely different. For example, if they marked the email as urgent and out in the header something like "urgent access needed to repair leak" - they could reasonably expect you to reply over the weekend.
Alternatively, if it was an email about something routine and not urgent, you replied the next working day, which I think is very reasonable.

mynameiscalypso · 17/07/2024 18:18

Do you not pick up any emails at all over the weekend?

TriciaMcMillan · 17/07/2024 18:16

Given it isn't a work related email, surely the most appropriate time to respond is not in work time.

SlashBeef · 17/07/2024 18:15

Work emails no. "Life admin" yes.

Aquamarine1029 · 17/07/2024 18:15

I'll bet you would fully expect your landlord to reply to your email if something went tits up at your home.

Coastering · 17/07/2024 18:15

I mean, you could argue you shouldn't be dealing with your personal email in work time...

JackGrealishsCalves · 17/07/2024 18:14

Does the LL have your work email address? I assumed that was the case but even so if you were aware of it on Friday you should have forwarded to your personal email and maybe give him that instead.

Coastering · 17/07/2024 18:13

I think there's no reasons not to answer emails about your personal living arrangements, especially when you've already started the exchange, so are reasonably expecting them.

I don't check my email frequently, so I wouldn't necessarily see it, but I don't understand a policy of not responding to personal emails in personal time.