Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To itv text my boss whilst driving?

81 replies

Blueskyblue · 04/10/2017 15:21

Yesterday I got stuck in awful traffic. This doesn't happen often as I usually start work early, but had to wait for kitchen fitters so started an hour later.

Got to work about 20 mins late and boss had a bit of a go that I didn't let her know via text. I explained I was in bumper to bumper traffic and couldn't use my phone (I've only just got rid of six points on my license and don't want to risk getting more)

She replied that "it's a quick text, you're not going to get caught sending a quick text"

I still refuse to do it, regardless of how quick it may be.

Who is being unreasonable, me or her?

OP posts:
Santawontbelong · 04/10/2017 15:22

Tell her if she wants up to date info via text she will have to provide you with a chauffeur. .

MrTrebus · 04/10/2017 15:23

YANBU she is a twat, people that use their phones in any manner when driving even when stopped in traffic are the biggest problem on the roads thede days.

Applesandpears23 · 04/10/2017 15:24

Ask if she would prefer you to pull over and park to text her (which would delay you about 5 more mins) or not.

AdalindSchade · 04/10/2017 15:25

No of course you were nbu but I would probably have used Siri or similar to text whilst stopped. You can do that without taking your eyes off the road

NightmareMonkey · 04/10/2017 15:26

You could have easily text

Newtssuitcase · 04/10/2017 15:27

well of course she is being unreasonable but you are too for not letting her know that you were goign to be late. In fact it could potentially be a disciplinary matter. You ought to have pulled over and contated work

maxthemartian · 04/10/2017 15:27

NightmareMonkey it's illegal?

Wornoutbear · 04/10/2017 15:28

driving and texting - no, no, no - www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-41497993

BeyondThePage · 04/10/2017 15:29

I use hands free in the car "hey google", "text boss", "I'm stuck in traffic" - not hard.

DancingLedge · 04/10/2017 15:29

" So you'd like me to do something illegal? No thanks."
After a serious accident, whether caused by you or not, phone use by all drivers involved will be automatically checked.

Original poster
Blueskyblue · 04/10/2017 15:30

Yes, I could have easily text her. Ease isn't the issue here, texting whilst driving is illegal.

Yes, I could have pulled over but on a long single carriage road with no lay-bys either side, I would have needed to make a detour which would have made me even later.

Does your phone need to be active for you to use Siri??

OP posts:
Original poster
Blueskyblue · 04/10/2017 15:32

I don't/didn't have hands free

OP posts:
NightmareMonkey · 04/10/2017 15:35

You are lucky you weren't disciplined in work. You should have contacted them to let them know you would be late. Very poor excuse by you tbh

RinonaWyder · 04/10/2017 15:38

Poor excuse???? Are you on glue??? Texting while driving is illegal, even if you're sitting at traffic lights. People are killed every day by idiots who do that. OP is completely in the right.

NightmareMonkey · 04/10/2017 15:41

You should have contacted your boss to let them know you would be late. As stated, you should have pulled over to make contact, if that meant a detour, so be it, you were late anyway & your boss would have had no grounds to have a go at you for failing to inform them of your temporary absence from work.

MrTrebus · 04/10/2017 15:43

Nightmaremonkey is her boss I'm sure!

blueberrypie0112 · 04/10/2017 15:44

Just say hey google, dial my boss, and actually talk to her on the speaker phone

Original poster
Blueskyblue · 04/10/2017 15:45

By the time I found somewhere safe and legal to pull over, I'd have been practically next to my office. Single road, nowhere to pull over, next available turning next to my office.

However, I'm interested in knowing whether Siri works if the phone isn't active?

OP posts:
LindyHemming · 04/10/2017 15:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/10/2017 15:48

My phone is plumbed into my car. For the future find a way to sort it so you can contact her.

Bluelonerose · 04/10/2017 15:49

My phone is normally in my bag in the boot. Yanbu the new message is put your phone in glove box etc so your not tempted when stuck in traffic.

MotherOfBeagles · 04/10/2017 15:49

My HR manager literally bollocked me when I rang her and tell her I was running late. Even though I was on "hands free" because it's not safe. Even if your phone is fully set up for hands free you can still get in trouble for using it if deemed to have been distracted and if you touch it in any way - e.g. To get it out of your bag etc. That's ignoring the fact that when using your phone you are distracted regardless of whether it's hands free. As my HR manager put it "I'd much rather you were late and I don't know why and safe than late and I do know why but I also then get a call from the police or paramedics."

If in doubt this site is helpful and interesting -

www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/know-how/mobile-phone-laws/

GetYourRosariesOffMyOvaries · 04/10/2017 15:49

I can't believe people are saying you should have texted!

Though I would have called on Bluetooth/loudspeaker

SandyDenny · 04/10/2017 15:49

Lots of assumptions that the op can control her phone by voice, is that normal? I wouldn't be able to do that on my phone without touching it I don't think.

I think the boss ibu, people are late for work everyday for reasons outside their control, it isn't always possible to let work know and it isn't always possible to pull over to text.

LindyHemming · 04/10/2017 15:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.