Notifying other offices of my loo breaks?

[xkcdfan]

Hi there,

I'm quite new to Mumsnet so sorry for any breaches of etiquette in advance.

I know this is not huge in the grand scheme of things, but I work in a small office where quite often I'm left to "man the fort" as it were. Because the team spend so much time out of the office, I end up dealing with all the administration and answering phones.

Luckily, we don't get a great number of calls as people go straight to mobiles now. However, I have been told by my boss (who is also in charge of this office) that I need to transfer the office's phones to another office and send an e-mail to EVERYONE at the company to let them know that I have left my desk.

Obviously, I find it very embarrasing having to tell everyone when I have to go to the loo (especially at "that time of the month") and forward phones elsewhere.

I have been cheeky so far i.e. if someone mentions that there was no pickup, I say that "oh, I must have been on the other line, I'm sorry I didn't reach you in time" but seriously, where do I stand on this?

Thanks and I would be grateful for any advice. Thanks.

Ridiculous idea to email everyone every time you leave your desk for 5 mins (which is all a loo break takes generally). I would be really irritated if I worked somewhere and kept getting emails telling me that someone had gone to the loo!

It seems a bit OTT, but if it is vital that calls are answered, then you need to find a workable system.

There is no need to be lavatorial. And there are many reasons why one might need to be away from the desk temporarily.

I suggest you email all those who you have been requested to notify of absences, explain what you are doing, and propose the notifications are simply in the title of the email "AFK date/time" and "back date/time"

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