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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Work phoning me on holiday

26 replies

Tornado70 · 08/09/2023 11:06

AIBU to expect my employer to not call me whilst I’m on holiday?
I’ve had a stressful past month at work….second day of holiday and work rang me with an “urgent query”.
IMO it wasn’t urgent. It could have waited until I returned.
It wasn’t that I hadn’t handed over my work adequately.
AIBU?

OP posts:
audweb · 08/09/2023 11:08

YANBU but I wouldn’t have answered the call. I would just ignore any and then be clear on return why.

Original poster
Tornado70 · 08/09/2023 11:09

It wasn’t from usual work number. I only answered as I thought it was a call regarding elderly parents.

OP posts:
VeridicalVagabond · 08/09/2023 11:12

Don't answer the calls!

If they persist message "I'm currently on annual leave and unavailable, I will deal with any queries on my return to the office on [DATE], anything urgent can be escalated to [LINE MANAGER]" then continue to ignore.

If they can't cope without you for a week that's poor management and organisation on their part and not your problem.

Cosyblankets · 08/09/2023 11:12

Set your phone to voicemail.
If you're abroad you might need to set up voice mail retrieval with a code though before you left.

Blinkinbloodyhayfever · 08/09/2023 11:19

I think its a sad part of human nature that they want you available when it suits them. I had the same when I was employed, I had to do things (banking related) when I was on holiday because the only other person authorised was apparently too busy.
I still get it working for myself. I have set and well published working hours, yet I still get none urgent calls Sundays, evenings, even Christmas Day with "sorry to bother you out of hours, but ....". Its bloody rude. My phone is set to do not disturb when I'm not working now, but if one of my dc is on a scouts or school trip you have to answer.

fr4zzledmum · 08/09/2023 11:20

My director phoned me whilst I was on honeymoon 🙃 As it was the director, I answered - he literally was just asking where a file was stored.

Blinkinbloodyhayfever · 08/09/2023 11:21

What about getting another sim card, so you have one work knows about and another just for personal contacts?

hot2trotter · 09/09/2023 21:44

More fool you for answering.

BeeCucumber · 09/09/2023 21:48

Don’t answer. You are on holiday - even if it is about elderly relatives - I assume someone is responsible whilst you are away?

CleptoCleoCookoo · 09/09/2023 21:55

Why do they have your personal number? Only HR know mine for next of kin reasons. Is it a small company maybe?

I'd have hung up after "oooh sorry I'm on holiday, back on the 19th! Bye!" Then give them no chance to reply. Put phone on silent.

I wouldn't have done this in previous roles where I was treated well 😏

DopeyS · 09/09/2023 22:18

Not unreasonable at all. I'd book the time for the call and round it up to a minimum. It might just be a 'quick call' but it clearly isn't as it has now made you think about work and come on here so it's switched your brain onto it. Not exactly a relaxing holiday and intrusive.

Webmeister999 · 09/09/2023 22:30

Long before mobile phones I had a boss who used to ring me out of hours. I solved it by giving all my close friends and relatives a "code" they had to use - let phone ring a couple of times - hang up and then ring again. No code no reply. It mostly worked ok.

Cherrysoup · 09/09/2023 22:33

I’d raise it when you get home and if they phone again, I’d be very chilly and tell them it’s unacceptable.

Densol57 · 09/09/2023 22:42

My answerphone on my phones says “ if I do not recognise the number I will not answer so leave a message “
1/50 leave messages as its mostly spam
I just dont answer my phone

jc12689 · 09/09/2023 22:49

hot2trotter · 09/09/2023 21:44

More fool you for answering.

People really need to read the thread before committing.

Rubiconmango · 09/09/2023 23:04

Oh no! I've made clear to every employer since coming into my 30s and earned my 'take shit to learn shit' t shirts; that I absolutely am not contactable outside of my working hours and commitments! They can save that exploitation for the 20 year olds who will learn the hard way if they're not smarter to it! Yanbu! Loyalty counts for shit, and never work above your paycheck! The concept that you should work hard to get a promotion, is absolutely criminal! It makes you exploitable and irreplaceable, so you can kiss goodbye to any progress. Set boundaries and work within your paycheck!

MermaidMummy06 · 09/09/2023 23:15

Ensure you make it clear you're on leave and keep redurecting them 'I'm on leave and will deal with it on my return. If it's urgent refer to manager'.

My DH didn't and it escalated to the point he'd start getting calls at 8am on his first day off. Last year was the final straw when a job came in on day one, one only he could do (work kept stealing his assistant to other departments) and DH worked all week. One boss was horrified and the big boss (who is always on holiday) was just annoyed DH didn't get it finished. DH booked the time & it was almost 30 hours.

We're going away in two weeks & DH has made it clear he WILL NOT be checking emails or answering work calls & any clients who call (some have his number) will be directed to them.

It's insidious and the more you give, the more they'll take, and the less valued your time will be.

Thatladdo · 10/09/2023 02:56

Work phone? Power switch?

mushti · 10/09/2023 03:32

Answer the call. Point out that if they treat you as though you're still at work, you're going to take an extra day's annual leave to replace each one they're acting as though you're not on.

They'll stop calling.

Joevanswell · 10/09/2023 04:08

Big 4 firm? Dh was contacted constantly on holidays etc, people literally had no boundaries.

NeunundneunzigHorseBallonz · 10/09/2023 05:03

I hope that you told them it’s not urgent and calling you has entitled you to an extra day’s leave. It’s illegal to do this.

SusanSHelit · 10/09/2023 05:12

Yanbu at all. I've had employers like this in the past. I used to block the number when I was on leave and unblock on my return. It was always either non urgent or asking me to cover for someone. Incredibly cheeky imo

Scottishskifun · 10/09/2023 06:08

Nope not acceptable.
I ended up moving jobs due to similar practices from phone calls to managers being annoyed I didn't reply to a email sent on a Saturday etc best thing I ever did

youveturnedupwelldone · 10/09/2023 06:28

It's pure laziness on their part. I'd have quiet words when you get back. Their "urgent" is not your problem!

I wouldn't have answered the call and if I thought it was about parents but didn't recognise the number I would have let it go to voicemail, I'm sure anyone you'd have needed to speak to about your parents would leave a message.

I am very firm on this at work, I won't even give my number out. I say to them if you want me to make/take work calls, give me a work phone!

Oblomov23 · 10/09/2023 06:31

I've had this. Intrusive and insulting.

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