New manager keeps disturbing me with irrelevant things every time I’m on my phone :/

[Ghostpost]

I was employed before her, and have been here a couple of months. We’re in a research type environement and everything is really laid back with phones, work hours, days off etc. Everyone knows work gets done, deadlines are met so everyone is happy that the place is so flexible around family life.

She’s been here 3 days and has mentioned twice if I have enough work to keep me busy (😒).. I’m an adult and I know what I need to do. And although it would be really easy to take the piss here, I have been working incredibly hard to make a difference to our department.

I’ve noticed today she keeps coming and disturbing me every time I’m on my phone reading twitter or whatever. She’s making me feel like a school child not being allowed on my phone. She’s looked over at me a few times already whilst I’m typing this.

If I wasn’t working she would have a point to make, but I refuse to be micromanaged like this, as I’m not a child. It’s making me uncomfortable.

I go on my phone whenever I need to. If I get a message or a phone call I answer it there and then. If I think of something that I need to tell someone or if I need to make a personal call, I'll do it in work time. I scroll through SM when I am eating but, would never do it mid task. That's just bizarre?

THIS is what a normal "relaxed" culture looks like.

Not religiously checking your phone 4/5 times an hour and then being "put out" when management don't approve

I bet OP and a few of the pps this this thread turn up at 9, leave at 5 and only do "what's required". But wonder why they didn't get the promotion......,

Just here for the deletion message ✌🏻✌🏻

Where are all these jobs where there is so little to do the work always gets done and there's loads of time for Twitter? I work in criminal justice, the work is never ever done, there will always be more where it came from

Depends on the type of job you have and how you are measured. If it is input measured then you need to stop playing on your phone but if, like many companies and more senior roles its output measured then so long as you achieve that output it doesn't matter. This idea of havingto be head down 9 to 5 is becoming a very old fashioned way of working.

Id rather work longer hours but less hard. I often spend nine hours in the office achieving what others do in seven. So what - i achieve the output I need to.

I only do life admin at work.
I have my personal email open all day.
I have mn open all day.
I use my phone, connected to their WiFi.
I take calls at my desk.
I get my work done 🤷

If I was the op I'd be speaking to the old manager who is now this managers manager 😂 about whether she's actually a good fit for the current office culture. Maybe they don't know she's come in and attempting to change everything and therefore causing dissent. It may not be in her remit to do this but she thinks she'll score points for doing it - while not understanding what the culture there is.

@Lvsel in my head I have an image of you working somewhere very fancy, with people in top hats with monacles, going off for their cigar breaks.
My favourite typo today.

This is not serious !!! I know some places of work are more laid back than others but checking your phone every few minutes. On u tube and Netflix all day .
Obviously not enough work to do as no way can you have one eye on Netflix and do your job .
Also yabu to think your manager checking up on you if your so blatant maybe be discreet.
It actually made me chuckle my boss won't let me go on mumsnet she expects me to work the cheek .

Literally a few minutes every 10/15 mins

I’m staggered at the self entitledness of some posters on here

The OP is obviously spending far too much time on her phone if the boss has noticed. Where I work, most of us have children, and dealing with the odd text or phone call is fine, but faffing around on Twitter every 15 minutes is not what the OP is being paid to do.

She’s making me feel like a school child not being allowed on my phone

That’s because you are behaving like one.

I would not employ you. This attitude shews a fundamental lack of respect

This ^^ with many, many bells on

What matters is output - we have fallen into some culture where people are policed while at work, this is Victorian

IMO the only people who need to be “policed” at work are the ones taking the piss. We are allowed to take the odd break where I work, but checking social media every 10 – 15 minutes is massively taking the piss.

a whole project within a month by myself

a whole project? gosh!

you obviously don't have enough work if you are looking at your phone enough to be noticed!

I worked in a relaxed environment and phones/social media is fine but if I had an employee who had only been there 2 months and was on their phone a lot I would question if we have given them enough work.

I'm a manager at a very relaxed business - people listen to their own music, no problem taking a personal call if it was e.g. doctors, car insurance, other parent of your child etc, and people do reply to texts etc while they're working which is fine. It's a creative environment where I work so we get that you can't be head down the whole time or it's difficult to be creative. But checking your phone that much just means you're not busy enough, and I would be giving that person enough work to fill that time seeing as they're getting paid for it.

The problem isn't you occasionally scrolling through Twitter. We all do it. We all have the odd 5 minutes here and there. However you, yourself, have specified this happens every 15 minutes. That is excessive and I don't think you are as productive as you think you are

Just use your common sense and go on your phone less. There is no urgent reason to be scrolling through social media every 15 minutes, what a total waste of time

I’ve only been here 4/5 months! I don’t expect a promotion.

I deal with a lot of data, which means sometimes staring at excel sheets and numbers and fiddling around with them..I do check my phone every 10/15 mins because it gives my eyes a break.

It’s obviously clear a lot of people don’t understand this work culture. I was the same before I started here, and worked in a strict nhs environment where phones were banned. This place was a revelation and much needed for my sanity!!

I think I’ll give the manager time to settle in and learn the work environment. It would be quite sad if she creates awkwardness in our little team.

@FrauHaribo

"only if Employee B decides to get their ass in gear and exceed their target, which are a minimum to reach.

See, it's all about attitude."

Targets aren't minimums, they are targets. You know, things to for. Not the starting line.

Also, if employers want to move the target so that employees have to work more/harder, then they need to pay more. If they sell the kool-aid of 'but we (the owners/shareholders) need you to do more' and you drink it, more fool you. Yes, they would like more of your hard work to line their pockets, thank you very much.

Honestly, the bleating of 'but you have to it's your gasp employer/job you're talking about'. A job is an exchange: labour for reward. Not a moral duty. Want more on one side? Other side has to balance out.

People who will kill themselves working for no extra reward may as well bend over and present their arses to the world. Have a little dignity. This is why there are SO MANY fucking terrible employers out there. Employees let them dictate like this. 'Not allowed phones'? FUCK OFF I AM A GROWN UP. I will decide if I can have my phone on me. I did not enter indentured servitude when I signed an employment contract. Not to mention, if you have kids and are not contactable during the day that presents a clear safety issue.

been here a couple of months

I’ve only been here 4/5 months

2 months or 4-5 months OP?

I still think this is a reverse...

I think I’ll give the manager time to settle in and learn the work environment

No, no.

Go and have a word with her. Set her straight, and tell her to stop eye-balling you while you're on Mumsnet.

What is the point of this thread?!

that looking at a screen gives your eyes a break!

I deal with a lot of data, which means sometimes staring at excel sheets and numbers and fiddling around with them..I do check my phone every 10/15 mins because it gives my eyes a break.
Ok unlike the rest of us who are pretty much on excel all day .my manager would be like if I wanted a rest every 15 minutes to rest my eyes .

I think I’ll give the manager time to settle in and learn the work environment. It would be quite sad if she creates awkwardness in our little team.
You do that hun get your priorities in order , mumsnet and Netflix take priority over your 1 project a month .
A manger may realise how much free time you have and shock horror think you can do 2 projects a month .
Seriously get over yourself.

Only read the OP and first page updates but maybe I need a job where you work. Sounds very easy going.

How good of you to give your manager time to get used to the work environment. I would sack you.

But I assume you are making this up.

Yep. Top grownup advice, staring at a second screen does not give your eyes 'a break'

However I'd like to take your advice OP to go into academic research because frankly it sounds like a piece of piss as against actually working for a living

Best hope your new manager doesn't actually recommend your department is 50% overstaffed.

People who will kill themselves working for no extra reward may as well bend over and present their arses to the world. Have a little dignity. This is why there are SO MANY fucking terrible employers out there. Employees let them dictate like this. 'Not allowed phones'? FUCK OFF I AM A GROWN UP. I will decide if I can have my phone on me. I did not enter indentured servitude when I signed an employment contract. Not to mention, if you have kids and are not contactable during the day that presents a clear safety issue.

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

New manager keeps disturbing me with -irrelevant- -things- work every time I’m on my phone :/ (

bwah haha - FUCK OFF I AM A GROWN UP.
you're not even trying now

Not allowed phones'? FUCK OFF I AM A GROWN UP. I will decide if I can have my phone on me
I know some very well paid individuals who are not allowed phones at work for legitimate security reasons.