Would you have complained?

[NCforthischristmas]

I was off work on Tuesday, using up some leave. My out of office was on, everything was up to date etc
I heard an email come through around lunchtime so responded to it advised a customer I was not working today, and he was best to ring if it was urgent and gave the number
Wasn't anything specific, another staff member could handle it

Anyway he's complained about me, that I'm unprofessional and I should have rung him myself
I don't work outside my hours or on leave but now I'm questioning myself if I should have rung him

Hes probably angry that you weren't out of office as you replied. If I'm in leave my laptop goes in a cupboard. They will have to wait or try another method of contact.

Surely you just say "ooh thanks for getting back to me, I have another query are you about or shall I speak to X, don't want to bother you on your day off"

Or, if its urgent "thanks, I had another query but didn't want to mither you too much so I emailed X"

OP it won’t go anywhere as you were off. I once had someone complain that I wasn’t answering my work phone when I was off sick (in hospital). Another member of my team answered my phone and helped them but they complained because it wasn’t me specifically answering my phone (because obviously I should be physically glued to it). I saw the response to his complaint about me and it supported me 100%.

In future though I wouldn’t respond to anyone when off, better to have those boundaries or people will always expect a response.

@Megifer so I should potentially send multiple emails back and forth and wait for responses from someone who may or may not be working that day rather than simply re-sending the same email to the relevant mailbox/person covering for them? How is that a good use of time?

So do the second option then? And multiple emails? I usually include enough info so one email is enough.

I'm guessing if it was urgent as soon as you get an OOO you take it to someone else anyway so what's the issue?

@Megifer we are literally saying the same thing. When I get an OOO, if it's urgent, I will re-send it accordingly. The issue arises (as has happened to me before) where the person on leave then responds when the person covering them has also responded and then there are two email chains about the same thing with two people. That's what causes the confusion and creates additional unnecessary work.

Not to mention that those who insist on responding to emails when OOO keep upholding this damaging workplace culture where people cannot switch off and take their leave properly, which impacts everyone.

Not in work today so this is a summary! I have changed some details of the type of work so it's anon but it's equivalent to emailing a dentist asking to make an appointment, nothing urgent

Manager said I have done nothing wrong except try to be helpful and go above by providing a direct number for him to call

Client has been told I wont email him again if out of office is on and he will have to wait or ring up. Client then said he didn't mean that, he meant I should have rung him and not emailed, manager asked if he meant he was expecting me to ring on my day off then, and in future he will need to ring himself to make an appointment

Client said he expects a reply to emails, manager said he got one via the OOO message and it's a phone based centre. If he wants a reply then he needs to use the online bookings system which is a shared mailbox and not email people directly
Also that he can't say he expects a reply to emails and then complain about me when I am replying trying to assist him

I was trying to be helpful as we are meant to go above for our customers
So rather than them having to google I thought I would give them the direct number so they didn't have to go through the options menu

But I'm quite sure you are meant to go above and beyond when you're working
This doesn't extend to your days off

Sounds like your manager has your back. Great stuff! Now stop thinking about this. You have wasted half the day.

@NCforthischristmas

OP some people are just idiots and have an expectation/entitlement of what they want from other people, no matter what the circumstances are.

In future, once you've put your detailed out of office on (someone mentioned the numbers people can call to clients can make their own appointments) or written how they can make their own appointments online then do not respond for any reason, as you just give them a stick to beat you with.

Copy your out office message (which stipulates you are on leave/holiday, and will have no access to email or other messages) into a separate blank document so you can copy/paste quickly and easily into your email signature in future. Don't get involved in anything work related - your brain needs a rest and a refocus during your holiday/non-working hours. 🌹

Because the OP DD give actual help. They gave the direct number to reach the correct person on.

In what world does someone get angry when someone off work still helps ? Crazy