Boss keeps contacting me while on leave?

If you’re phrasing it as a question, then yes hr are right. You didn’t phrase it as “I’m not being paid so I’m not working, or I’m simply reachable”, so that’s on you

Block his number. If he complains, say there's a work phone. Leave it in the office at the end of the day.

This is your own fault for even entertaining calls in the first place - no matter how serious/trivial the reasons from your boss.

As to HR saying theres no policy that management cannot contact you while you are off, similarly, there is no policy that says you are at their beck and call while on leave either.

You should have set boundaries from the outset and never engaged in the first place.

This is shocking, HR should have agreed this is inappropriate

Just to add, although there may be no policy saying that you can't be contacted on leave, it doesn't sound like there is one saying you can either. I say this to reassure you that it is not unreasonable to politely hold your boundary on this from now on.

Only you can set your own boundaries and it sounds like your manager has a poor etiquette with regard to staff time off
I’d say its up to you to raise this directly with him first . He/ she may be mortified and apologise in which case all sorted
Tbh it’s not something I would give more than a few minutes headspace to. …. “I’m on annual leave? is this an emergency? If not let’s pick this up on my return on Mon”
The end

There might not be a policy that you CANT be contacted on leave BUT it could come under other policies in particular harassment.

Contact your Union or if you are not a member join for next time he does it

Perhaps they could help with advising you what level of overtime payments you are entitled to and how to claim them ?
Saturdays, time and a half, Sundays double time, Bank holidays ? On annual leave ?

In fairness I doubt that there is a policy for that so there is little that they can do.

Stop answering the phone to him, or even go as far as rejecting the calls. It really is very simple.

As a tactic for next time, a few days before you’re taking leave have a check in conversation. I’m going to be off from X, and dont intend to have my work phone or laptop with me. Is there anything you need before I finish up? Then last day, late morning - repeat the check.

ACAS suggests contacting employees during annual leave is unprofessional. Seeing as HR haven't been helpful, could you buy a new phone and use your old number just for work? That way you can switch that phone off during leave and relax, and they won't have your personal number.

Your boundaries are yours to hold. You’ll know for next time.

1. So incompetent that they don't realise you're on leave.
2. So incredibly obnoxious that they want to keep you connected to work regardless of being on leave or being ill.

Either way, tell them professionally to sod off.

I have the same problem - sadly I am married to the boss 😂 in all seriousness though, we employ staff and I have no issue with being bothered whilst on holiday as I have a vested interest and my staff only ever bother us if it’s an emergency. As employers we would never dream of contacting any staff on leave unless it was an absolute emergency and then we would make sure they were given time back as it’s really not on. You need to raise this with the same HR department that apparently couldn’t wait for the information and to call at 8am (twice ) is disgraceful. I would be raising a grievance. Make them aware that they are causing you stress and anxiety about your job when you are supposed to be on leave from that job. If they really can’t cope without you then suggest they should pay you in line with your inability to be away from the business.

If you aren't in one already, please join a union just in case your new boss's review of flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments turns into a review of your performance and an attempt to manage you out.

A manager who repeatedly rings you when you are on leave does not have the skills to be assessing reasonable adjustments. Screen grab everything, including your colleagues messages. Get it recorded in your next 1-1 that it happenned & it is not a work pattern you accept. Your boss is playing loose. Get advise from your union and explain to them you feel vulnerable due to the reasonable adjustments. This is exactly what a union is for.

I’m fuming for you.
I think you will definitely have to say something on your return. It’s not acceptable and now he thinks he can do this every time you’re on leave. What a prick.

I used to be part of a crisis team. I went on leave on the Friday and the cover didn't start until Monday.

They coped. They didn't start phoning and demanding I come in — they'd decided they didn't need cover that weekend. It was ironically probably the only time in the history of the job I'd have been needed over a weekend.

Your boss doesn't need you when you're on leave. Especially not at 8am. Just consider what they'd do if you ended up in ICU. Would they be calling you or coping without you? So they should treat your Leave with the same respect.

This made me laugh a lot. Definitely do this OP.

I once had a colleague who as he was leaving to go on annual leave said to our very needy boss “I’ve left my contact details for while I’m away in my top drawer, just in case of any emergencies “. It was before the days of mobile phones.

We opened his drawer and found a piece of paper with “Mallorca 999” written on it. 😁

I also find this frustrating I would just put then on do not disturb and if boss says anything when you return just say that annual leave is not really leave if getting bombarded with messages calls. Just say this is your time to leave work at the office and it’s your time for rest and recuperation and you never start work at 8 anyway and you will be fast asleep. Tell them calls should only be made in a crisis not just for the sake of it. Your colleague should message you to say sorry I’m hassling you but he won’t let up.

Worst one I ever had was when I was in hospital, postoperative, and on Tramadol. And yes, I did tell my boss to fuck off. And raised a grievance when I got back to work. The reason bosses phone people who are off sick / on leave is that they cannot do their own job properly. But they're the ones getting the big bucks. Leave them in no doubt that you will not let them get away with it.

Politely ask not to be contacted for the remainder of your leave if he persists contact the union.