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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find this so annoying?

68 replies

LemonSherbetFancies · 21/06/2021 10:55

Had to call a colleague a few times over work matters. It's not her scheduled work hours when I call which I do admit to but it's usually just a quick question and usually just before her shift (we don't work the same ones.). Yet she never picks the phone up. I find it so irritating. I then text her and she replies after a few moments.
Aibu to say pick up the phone!!

OP posts:
HunterHearstHelmsley · 21/06/2021 11:08

Another very similar post has just appeared..

To find this so annoying?
khakiandcoral · 21/06/2021 11:09

If you want to contact her out of her working hours, don't call.

Send text etc when convenient for you,
she will replied when convenient for herself.

YABU.

I don't bother answering the phone out of office hours even if I have been sitting at my desk for 1 hour. I use the time to get things done in peace, not to chat. If it's important, people use email or something.

ForeverSausages · 21/06/2021 11:10

A few? As in 3 times you've tried to call her when she's not working? Usually before her shift starts? So 1 time not before her shift starts? It's been more than a few ain't it? Wink. You must know YABU surely? I work PT and my manager has called me twice when I'm not working in 3 years. Both times were urgent changes at work and he was incredibly apologetic. He also messaged before the calls to check when was the best time to call. I wouldn't be surprised if she posts to say her colleague keeps calling her when she's not working....

FizzyPink · 21/06/2021 11:11

I wouldn’t answer either. My boss likes to email during evenings and weekends. I make a point of not replying until 9am on the next working day

HollyBollyBooBoo · 21/06/2021 11:13

Good for her! Glad she has her work boundaries firmly set. Learn by her example.

Bellyups · 21/06/2021 11:14

Yabu
How about this op, why don’t you ring her after your shift finishes? That way you’ll catch her whilst she’s on shift. Surely that’s ok since it doesn’t seem to matter to you whether someone is on shift or not

user1497787065 · 21/06/2021 11:15

I used to job share a role and my jobshare partner and I were in regular contact with one another without any issues on either side.

I can't believe how precious everyone sounds.

MN astounds me at times.

ClutchesPearlsAndFaints · 21/06/2021 11:15

They don't know it's just going to be a quick call though
It's invasive, and you shouldn't be doing it, I'd probably ignore your texts too

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 21/06/2021 11:15

Wow. If she's not working, she is not being paid to answer whatever questions you have.

Leave her alone until her shift begins.

cupoftea2021 · 21/06/2021 11:16

Why do you not call in her work hours or request a call when she can over her work day.
No phone calls unless it is scheduled work time..

ScottishNewbie · 21/06/2021 11:16

YABVVVVVVVVU

I wouldn't pick up my phone either and I'm surprised she responds to texts unless it's an emergency for particularly urgent.

Wrotten · 21/06/2021 11:19

She's putting boundaries in place. Respect them.

takealettermsjones · 21/06/2021 11:20

I used to job share a role and my jobshare partner and I were in regular contact with one another without any issues on either side.

I can't believe how precious everyone sounds.

MN astounds me at times.

Yes, but that suggests you were both happy with it. OP's colleague is signalling that she doesn't want to answer work calls outside work time, which is completely reasonable and normal.

The obvious solution is that OP either finds the answers she needs some other way, or waits until she herself has finished work but her colleague is working and makes the call then. Funny how she isn't already doing that, because that would inconvenience her and not her colleague.

Rillington · 21/06/2021 11:22

She's not working. Why should she answer you before she is being paid?

Cheeseandlobster · 21/06/2021 11:25

Agree with all the comments here. You are not more important than her. She may have to check emails or log onto a computer to answer what you think is a simple question. And it means she has to get into a work mindset. Stop making a nuisance of yourself and contact her during work hours only from now on. Please tell me you are not calling her personal mobile to do all this?

PurpleyBlue · 21/06/2021 11:26

Shes doing a favour by responding to the texts.

DynamoKev · 21/06/2021 11:30

Hardly anyone ever gets me first time - my phone might be in another room, I may be in the loo or driving, or in the middle of something. YABVU.

Lou898 · 21/06/2021 11:37

Why can you not contact her when it her work hours? Is it because it’s not yours…..ironic

TurtleBay28 · 21/06/2021 11:38

No she isn't working and I'd tell you to piss off quite frankly.

Notthemessiah · 21/06/2021 11:42

Amazing that someone should actually wonder about this and genuinely think the colleague is being unreasonable. It's another level to then post it on AIBU.

It's no wonder our work\life balance is so shit in this country when people like OP exist.

MizMoonshine · 21/06/2021 11:43

I used to have a job that required me have a work phone. No-one from work was given my personal number and the moment I had finished my work day the phone would be turned off and put away. I wouldn't turn it back on until I was working again.

Pretend you have her work phone number. Her phone is off to you outside of work hours. Leave her alone.

Bluesheep8 · 21/06/2021 11:43

Poor woman. I suggest you save your phone calls for when you're not at work and she is.

Abouttoblow · 21/06/2021 11:44

You could always wait till her shift starts.

mouse70 · 21/06/2021 11:48

SaltAndVinegarSandwiches has nailed it. I had a manager who expected me to be available to be contacted on a Sunday evening (with no time stated) about work on the Monday. I was new to the job and just accepted it but was very very resentful. Unfortunately in the organisation it was expected that you could be contacted by team members at any time you were not working(NHS)

billy1966 · 21/06/2021 11:49

Respect her privacy.

She does not have any responsibility to answer a work call on HER time.

If you do it repeatedly I think she is absolutely correct in her actions.