about 'urgent' work emails when I'm on leave?

[flopsyandjim]

I'm on annual leave for a month due to having no childcare. My line manager approved this. She can be a bit of a pain, sometimes nice, sometimes not.

I do have a history of checking emails during annual leave and responding to some, but I've been trying not to respond this time (although checking them). My manager even sent me an email last week before leaving saying that I absolutely must not check emails, and copied others in telling them not to email me until I'm back.

except today I get an "I know you are on leave, but this is urgent" email. Asking for information that I've already provided but she can't find...I get all my email alerts on my phone.

I responded. It took me only 2 minutes but AIBU to feel annoyed? I'm trying to do better with keeping work and life separate, and I'm off to spend time with my DD (and catch up on study). I thought she wanted me to switch off but seemingly she wants me to save her skin because she's under pressure again and being a nice person mug I find myself helping again.

DH says as it only takes 2 minutes to provide the info, not to worry (he has done work on his annual leave too, we are quite a pair aren't we?)

I am waiting on the outcome of an interview for a position in another department where hopefully I will have better management. This entire team have been very mixed messages - do not take work home, do not check emails, but we will give you so much work that you will end up doing it in your spare time anyway.

I know of someone in labour who was being contacted by her manager. She was risk manager in investment banking. Her boss didn’t like it when she handed over her phone to a midwife who said that the lady was being to theatre for a Caesarian section!

I’m surprised that doesn’t happen more often to be honest the way that some workers are meant to be contactable 24/7

For all those working when they're supposed to be on holiday or having a break, here's your medal.

If it was that urgent, surely they would call you?

that is where I would put my foot down. I don't mind checking emails in my own time, and I like to be kept in the loop. I would very much mind to be disturbed at a time that is not convenient for me, and that's if I am even in the same time zone.

Even if the office burns down, I don't want a phone call. I am not a fireman, I wouldn't be of any help anyway.

For all those working when they're supposed to be on holiday or having a break, here's your medal.

No need for a medal my dear, my bonus is quite sufficient, but thanks.

Not hating your work and keeping an eye on things is not a bad thing. I can stay at home when one of my kids is sick and there's no childcare available. It does goes both ways, and some of us are paid for it.

No need for a medal my dear, my bonus is quite sufficient, but thanks. My time is more valuable but you carry on.

I don’t expect a medal or a biscuit: I work part time and take that time in chunks: part of the deal for that is that I don’t just vanish and leave everyone in the lurch 15 weeks a year. That’s the deal in my role: I could choose to take another role where that’s not the deal, and that would also be a legitimate choice. No one is better or worse for dealing with or not dealing with their emails, but there’s no point choosing to look at them and being cross because you have. I’m perfectly capable of switching off my work phone or of not answering it as well, but I don’t want my colleagues to struggle so if I can spare 5 mins to help them out I will. They would do the same for me: in another role where the expectation was that you wouldn’t be contactable, it wouldn’t go both ways so I wouldn’t make myself available. If I’m in a field they won’t get hold of me and I forewarn them of that.

Why do people not do a handover of their work before holidays so that someone who is not on holiday can handle urgent issues. No one is indispensable.

Poor management of work/life balance. The key is to work to live not the reverse.

If you have work emails on a home mobile, take this off when you are on leave and restore when you go back. I totally understand having only one mobile phone, but holidays should be respected.

One person's lack of planning and a company's lack of a handover process is not another person's 'urgent' request or emergency.

Poor management of work/life balance

it's a choice, it's a shame some posters cannot comprehend that some of us like our job, love the flexibility and freedom and are more than happy to send a couple of emails in exchange.

When I read the threads about posters complaining about not choosing their hours, not being given the time off when they want it, not being allowed to work from home, not being paid when they are sick! I much prefer my own role.

I might work in a 9 to 5 role for minimum wage one day, but for now I stick to what I am doing, what's so difficult to understand?

Yes YABU to some degree.

Yes they shouldn't have emailed you- absolutely not as your manager gave clear instructions. However you shouldn't be checking them or responding as by doing so you are in effect giving them permission to and giving the green light for it to be accepted.

Turn off your device and enjoy your time off with your little ones. If it's that urgent your manager can call you.