To itv text my boss whilst driving?

[Blueskyblue]

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?

You can set up your phone for Hey Siri: google it

Really? I tried but no reuslts for how to set up Hey Siri on a non iphone Euphemia, humour me and post a link please

I get the feeling many people here are not up to date with the law

You have to have your car engine switched off to use your phone

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

Being stuck in traffic and stationary - using phone to speak or text- is still illegal

The link doesn't work for me but does that mean you can turn your engine off in a stationary traffic jam and use the phone?

I will turn my engine off sometimes if I can see that the traffic isn't going anywhere for a while so might that be an option?

Don't locj your phone in the boot. If you need it, you can't get at it.

I would complain to HR. She basically just told you that she expects you to break the law.

Siri will work if the phone is locked just say "hey siri"

Errrrr it won't if you don't have an iPhone.

Errrrr it won't if you don't have an iPhone.

I use "hey google"... same difference

You're bring a goady fucker.

Voice commands do not work with every phone. Mine has to be on for it to work.

Why would you need to break the law by using your phone when driving, Questionable?

The Crown Prosecution Service guide to prosecution for mobile phone use is here:

www.cps.gov.uk/legal/p_to_r/road-traffic-offences-mobile-phones/

I used to work in a massive company - think banking office - and we got bollockings if we did ring in to say we'd be late when it wasn't safe to do so.

When I was still fairly new and people didn't know I used public transport, I rang in to explain I would be late because I was stuck in traffic (bus, fatal accident ahead), and my boss demanded to know why I was using my phone in traffic. Explained I was actually on the bus.

They can ask that you make reasonable effort to inform them of your whereabouts if you are late. They cannot insist you break the law or magically produce somewhere to pull over. I second posters saying to inform HR. She has no right - or legal standing - to tell you to use your phone behind the wheel of your car.

your boss is a twit, ignore her you cant predict the future and if she wants you to use some fancy technic to let her know stuff let her foot the bill

SandyDenny Android phones, if you've set them up to all you need to do is say "OK Google" loud enough and you can command them to do things without touching them. I don't believe this works with Siri on iPhones, I think you need to touch the home button? Though, I'm very willing to stand corrected as I always try to stay away from iPhones.

Nightmaremonkey You are an absolute nightmare, and obviously know nothing of driving laws.

OP, as others have said, YANBU. It happens, it's happened to everyone. Shit used to happen to me on the trains all the time, and if I had no signal, what exactly what I going to do, send a fucking pigeon? Nah, sometimes you just can't do anything about it. Traffic happens.

My phone goes out of sight when I'm driving. When I travel I tell my bosses to call if it's urgent as I obviously won't see texts or emails. I often arrive to a load of texts and emails they want answering but that's their problem, not mine!

Just tried "ok Google". It only works if the phone is switched on (lock screen) so I'd have to open the cover then press the button to get it to work.

I suspect Nightmaremonkey is just trying to goad people into attacking them.

You don't need me to tell you OP, you were being very reasonable and responsible and your boss responded like an utter idiot. As a PP pointed out unless your engine is off it is still illegal to operate a phone as you're technically still in control of the vehicle when it's switched on. Even looking at your phone to push the button to activate Siri would count as "using" your phone so still not ok. People using their phone whilst driving is literally one of the most rage-inducing behaviours in me, it is NEVER necessary and the risk of causing injury or death are proven beyond doubt whilst engaging in this utterly selfish behaviour. A point very sadly made when I was held up for work over an hour about a year ago as two cars smashed together just a corner ahead from where I was on the road (didn't text to say I'd be late(!)) and it turned out one of the drivers who was commuting to work had been texting and the car he collided with contained a family- mother who was 8 months pregnant and father both killed instantly and their young son died in hospital less then a week later. The commuter has to live with that for the rest of their lives and I can't imagine what text was possibly so vital that it was worth risking him everyone else's lives to do it. Just a behaviour that makes me feel so angry, especially when others try to justify or downplay it. Well done you OP for following a law that is there for good reason.

Got to work about 20 mins late and boss had a bit of a go

I bet they don't have a go at you when you are early do they? Your boss is a knob. It is illegal.

How about texting them each morning when you arrive early, especially when your boss is on holiday or late themselves

Your boss is being VU.

Fucking bosses.

BitOutOfPractice perfect!

If you had a school pick up I wonder if you'd still feel the same way op.

Next time you're running late, go to a service station and grab a coffee and send her a text along the lines of

'Hi dangerous driver just to let you know I was running late by 10 minutes. However, I gladly took your previous advice and I'm sending you this text to explain that I'm going to be a little late from the costa car park (as texting while driving is, as I'm sure you know, illegal). Due to this, I will be a further 20 minutes late, but I offer my greatest thanks as I am now relaxed and caffeinated enough to deal with you work today'

My phone is always on in the car - we live in a town that can take 10 min to cross, or 45 minutes if there is a hold up, so google is navigating- using voice command - to avoid the hold ups.

I do use my phone occasionally when stuck in stationary traffic and know I am not going to be moving more than a few feet. But only when I know the traffic situation and when I can just drop the phone if I need to move.

But.......noone should ever ask or expect someone else to break the law, any law, even if they themselves would ....ever. end of conversation in my opinion.

I don't believe this works with Siri on iPhones, I think you need to touch the home button? Though, I'm very willing to stand corrected as I always try to stay away from iPhones.

If it’s connected to a power source saying ‘hey siri’ Will work with screen locked meaning you need need to touch phone otherwise you have to hold home button and then speak.

Why are people being sarcastic about setting up siri? OP asked if she could use Siri when phone wasn't active. Nobody is assuming anything.

Speaking as an IRL highly demanding boss: that request is bonkers and YANBU!

I hope she's aware of what she'd be dealing with in the (admittedly unlikely) event that you got caught or, even worse, had an accident!

Bit worrying how many people think it's ok to text while driving