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Colleague reported me for phone usage - awkward!!

158 replies

AmyRuby · 14/05/2025 17:34

I work in a fairly large office and there’s a very much ‘common sense’ approach to personal phone usage. No one sits at their desk and takes lengthy personal calls, but management accept there will be times people need to check/use their phones briefly and that for anything longer, they’ll step away from their desk or wait for breaks and lunch.

I had my 1:1 with my Manager today who told me that someone has reported to her that I’ve conversed with delivery drivers using my ring doorbell whilst at my desk - I simply say ‘please leave that round the side’ if no one’s in. I try to schedule deliveries for my WFH days but can’t always control that so it’s only a handful of
times this has happened.

My manager was clear she doesn’t have an issue with my phone usage and obviously she can’t tell me who reported it, although I have an idea.

This person will have known our manager will have had to say something to me - am I wrong to find them reporting this a bit pathetic? It just risks an awkward atmosphere when we are generally a fairly harmonious team.

OP posts:
Beautifulweeds · 15/05/2025 19:16

Guess the manager has to bring up any complaints to discuss, whether they are bothered about it or not.

May be best to keep a low profile and not do it. Many of us who don't get the chance to talk through ring have just left instructions of a safe place so probably no need really to do it.

It must be sth that has annoyed a co worker as they have probably done the same, ie clear instructions so need to check upon all the time. Xx

Caringwife · 15/05/2025 18:42

Perhaps you don’t realise how distracting it is for your colleagues? I’m sure it would have been overlooked if it was nothing much. Perhaps when you book things online you can leave a note as to where to leave your parcel, so you don’t actually have to communicate with the driver.

ByNattyScroller · 15/05/2025 18:30

The person who grassed you up sounds nasty and pathetic. What a sad life they must lead if that’s what they’re capable of doing. I remember working in a very similar environment. It was completely toxic and like being in a school playground😞 If I were you I would be very careful who you trust, and I say this from experience. Sometimes even those who you think are your friends, are actually your frenemie’s and will have an agenda.

GRex · 15/05/2025 18:27

Stickortwigs · 14/05/2025 17:39

But why did the manager have to say something? If that was me about an employee I’d have internally rolled my eyes and not bothered raising it.

This exactly. Is your manager quite young / junior? They really ought to encourage team members to settle down when they get a bit silly, not fan rhe flames of a conflict! Odd behaviour really.

IsThistheMiddleofNowhere · 15/05/2025 18:24

Definitely pathetic

Boggyjo · 15/05/2025 18:00

If you know who it is, kill them with kindness. It’ll keep them awake at night. 😈

glammymommy · 15/05/2025 17:57

Colleagues can be bloody annoying. Just make sure everything is above board always. Sounds like management is supportive but it's not like you need to be friends with colleagues. Just do your job and steer clear of whoever might have an issue with you. Also stay professional, don't discuss it except with HR, if that's applicable

ObliviousCoalmine · 15/05/2025 17:50

If someone had reported that to me I’d have said “that’s fine, I’ve got no concerns but thanks for letting me know” and then never spoken about it again.

Helen483 · 15/05/2025 17:50

sakuraspring · 15/05/2025 14:28

Sure.
Making sure the latest Shein delivery gets popped by the back gate is exactly the same level of importance as a call from an oncologist

It probably takes a lot less time though.

In a professional setting I would expect my employer not to mind at all if I take brief phone calls from my accountant/dentist/garage/gardener so long as I was getting my work done.
A professional is required to get a job done, not clock in for x hours a day. And I would also be checking, and sometimes responding to, work related emails when at home.

Lollylucyclark101 · 15/05/2025 17:43

AmyRuby · 14/05/2025 17:34

I work in a fairly large office and there’s a very much ‘common sense’ approach to personal phone usage. No one sits at their desk and takes lengthy personal calls, but management accept there will be times people need to check/use their phones briefly and that for anything longer, they’ll step away from their desk or wait for breaks and lunch.

I had my 1:1 with my Manager today who told me that someone has reported to her that I’ve conversed with delivery drivers using my ring doorbell whilst at my desk - I simply say ‘please leave that round the side’ if no one’s in. I try to schedule deliveries for my WFH days but can’t always control that so it’s only a handful of
times this has happened.

My manager was clear she doesn’t have an issue with my phone usage and obviously she can’t tell me who reported it, although I have an idea.

This person will have known our manager will have had to say something to me - am I wrong to find them reporting this a bit pathetic? It just risks an awkward atmosphere when we are generally a fairly harmonious team.

It’s 2025! Unless you’re in surgery or driving, or something similar then phones are just a part of life. It just have irked your manager as she has the ability NOT to say nothing to you, but chose to.

wish people would mind their own business when it comes to phone usage. Like, answering the doorbell isn’t “arguing with your husband”

they need to grow up.

Helen483 · 15/05/2025 17:41

HelplessSoul · 14/05/2025 17:58

Easy solution.

OP, tell your manager you want to launch a grievance on whoever reported it.

Either your manager will fess up the asshole that complained, and if they do not, well, we know then that its your managercunt that has the issue.

Ergo, do the grievance on your manager for bullying and harassment.

Wow!
There's always someone who wants to go with the nuclear option! 😁

HelplessSoul · 15/05/2025 16:32

sakuraspring · 15/05/2025 14:28

Sure.
Making sure the latest Shein delivery gets popped by the back gate is exactly the same level of importance as a call from an oncologist

Pat yourself on the back for completely missing the point.

Well done, round of applause 🤦‍♂️

ForOliveMember · 15/05/2025 16:19

HenDoNot · 14/05/2025 17:57

Your manager is using the old “someone has reported you, I can’t say who” because they’re a shit manager who for whatever reason won’t just come out with it and tell you to stop using your phone so much in work.

If it wasn’t an issue for your manager they should have shut down the “anonymous reporter” and not mentioned it to you at all.

Yeah sounds like your manager is giving you a warning so to speak.

notnorman · 15/05/2025 16:17

BunnyLake · 15/05/2025 15:54

Why are you on here at 10.22am ? Not your lunch break that early is it?

🤣🤣

StripyShirt · 15/05/2025 15:59

There was no colleague complaint - it's entirely the manager.

TorroFerney · 15/05/2025 15:58

So why did your manager raise it with you? Poor management, or hiding behind the complainer as the manager agrees. You hear lots of stuff as a manager, you filter it.

Dvdlove · 15/05/2025 15:57

Your manager didn't "have" to say anything to you at all, and if they really thought it was a none issue they wouldn't have. Manager is a coward hiding behind " I don't want to but I have to" but does absolutely want to fetch the message across to you.

BunnyLake · 15/05/2025 15:54

notnorman · 15/05/2025 10:22

Haha no, I own a business with 22 employees. It’s unprofessional to be messing on your phone when you’re supposed to be working.
im guessing by your sarky attitude you are an employee who likes being on your phone?
maybe you’re at work now lol

Why are you on here at 10.22am ? Not your lunch break that early is it?

Angrymum22 · 15/05/2025 15:42

HelplessSoul · 15/05/2025 13:56

Thanks for confirming your inconsisties in phone use.

🤦‍♂️😂

Taking a phone call from your oncologist is worlds away from directing a delivery driver over the ring doorbell. I wouldn’t want to take a call from my oncologist in front of a room full of work colleagues. It is more appropriate to warn your manager and then take the call in private. Perfectly acceptable behaviour.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 15/05/2025 15:42

Yellowbluemonday · 14/05/2025 22:23

It’s pathetic, your boss knows it’s pathetic. Those calls are very short. No big deal.

What you boss IS telling you … watch your back … You have a rat in the office and your boss wants you to know the rat is watching you. And you boss doesn’t want rat-face in their office … ratting on you.

Oh that's an interesting take I hadn't thought about!

LivingDeadGirlUK · 15/05/2025 15:31

Stickortwigs · 14/05/2025 17:39

But why did the manager have to say something? If that was me about an employee I’d have internally rolled my eyes and not bothered raising it.

Yeah it seems odd, I was in a job many years ago where someone had complained I had my personal email on my screen. I'd left it there from lunch because I was working on paper drawings at my layout desk. My manager was like 'I know you were working and not reading personal emails' so it seemed completely pointless. Saying that the person who reported me would also have been able to see I wasn't actually working on my computer so I guess common sense wasn't high on the list anywhere in that company.

KawasakiBabe · 15/05/2025 15:27

Bad management. Raising an issue they have but are too spineless to admit it’s them, and creating a bad working environment, with discourse on the team. I’d lose respect for the manager, not my team mates.

sakuraspring · 15/05/2025 14:28

HelplessSoul · 15/05/2025 13:56

Thanks for confirming your inconsisties in phone use.

🤦‍♂️😂

Sure.
Making sure the latest Shein delivery gets popped by the back gate is exactly the same level of importance as a call from an oncologist

notnorman · 15/05/2025 14:25

HelplessSoul · 15/05/2025 13:56

Thanks for confirming your inconsisties in phone use.

🤦‍♂️😂

Seriously??? 🙈

HelplessSoul · 15/05/2025 13:56

notnorman · 15/05/2025 11:24

I would suggest that waiting for a call from your oncologist is quite niche and of course you would be allowed to answer your phone in that situation.
How ridiculous.

Thanks for confirming your inconsisties in phone use.

🤦‍♂️😂