To not want to share a phone with a colleague?

[Strumpetpumpet]

Just that really. Share an office with one phone, incoming calls arrive for both of us so we have to hand the phone between us so no opportunity to clean in between. I don’t think it’s a good idea in the current climate but I’m not a scientist so not sure if I’m overreacting so would be interested in opinions x

Can you wear a headset so you can answer via that. I use a soft phone application and have a headset. It’s great as when I use my phone I can use the computer freely.

Can’t you share the number but not the handset so you both have your own. If a call comes in for your colleague you tell them to pick up and vice versa.

I’ve asked for a new handset but there is an IT issue apparently (isn’t there always...)
I will ask about a headset, presumably we could both have one on the same phone?! Thanks for the tip x

Report. This is not a covid secure workplace.

Until the handset situation is resolved then a different solution is needed. Eg am/ pm split?

If you only have one phone socket tell them to get one of these and a 2nd handset. No need for a second phone number. They are taking the piss. It would cost them about £15. Not sure how it's an IT issue?

I would not be happy about this either! Surely this is a health and safety issue?

Thanks all. I work in a school so to be fair they have bigger issues than our phone, but I wasn’t sure if I was overreacting. Thank you all for replying and making me feel sane! X

I was going to suggest the splitter thing that whatsnew posted.

I work in an area like this (public sector too and working all the way through). We just ask for a number and call back on mobile, would this work for you? if own mobile withhold your number

I worked all the way through lockdown sharing a phone in an office and honestly neither of us batted an eyelid at it.

If you only have one phone socket tell them to get one of these and a 2nd handset. No need for a second phone number. They are taking the piss. It would cost them about £15. Not sure how it's an IT issue?

That’s not generally how office phone systems work. It’d work at home using a couple of POTS phones but in the office not so much.

We are not allowed to share phones/desk/stationary in my office.

Ask the caller for their number and that the other person will ring them straight back. Put phone down, clean it, ring them back? But yes, a splitter and second handset would be better.

You are not allowed to hot desk or share equipment. Read your school's risk assessment.

@Emeraldgems

I worked all the way through lockdown sharing a phone in an office and honestly neither of us batted an eyelid at it.

Congratulations on your amazing Covid-resistant skills.

You are absolutely right to not want to share, I have the same problem (also a school). There are three of us using one computer, one 'phone and one walkie-talkie set. I'm afraid I clean EVERY time, using sanitiser for the whole PC keyboard, mouse, phone, desk, everything. Everyone else thinks I'm being over the top but a shared phone is the worst when people are speaking into it as well as handling the handset. Like you there are no other options, I just refuse to answer anything unless I have cleaned first....

I don’t think we have a risk assessment for the phone
I work in a nursery and we are all expected to answer the phone, we only have one and to use the same computer in a tiny office