I am a receptionist at a law firm. One of the attorneys always gives our work# as his contact # to credit card companies, etc. Now I am fielding several calls a day for him, which he will not return, nor will he tell these companies to stop calling. This has cut into my time and efficientcy. When I try to explain that, as a business, we cannot take messages for anyone's personal affairs, these callers ask "Well, isn't he an OWNER of the business?" No, he is a partner, there is a difference. How do I stop being a personal answering service???
2007-02-13 02:05:45 · 11 answers · asked by ? 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
You could start giving his home number to the creditors.
"He's not available at the moment,but here is a better number to reach him at ###-###-####"
2007-02-13 02:09:27 · answer #1 · answered by kimpetuous 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are on the right track. Tell them that they have reached his business line and that he does not accept personal calls on this line. Also, tell them if they continue to call you will file for phone harrassment. Since you are a law firm they won't have an issue...
You could also be a b**ch and just patch each and every call through to him. If he says anything tell him they were personal calls and you always forward personal calls in case they are important! He will get the point really fast!! Only do this if he is not your direct boss (or has hire/fire authority)\
Good Luck!!
2007-02-13 02:18:07 · answer #2 · answered by buggerhead 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, do you have caller ID at work? If so, then write down a list of the numbers and when it comes up on caller ID simply push the button to answer and then hang up without saying anything. Talk to your superior, the attorney, and ask him how he would like you to handle these calls. It's his right to accept, ignore, or whatever with these calls. It is not really your right.
Additionally, giving out any information at all is a violation of your superior's right to privacy. When they ask his position, you should simply tell them that you are not permitted to give out this information.
Additionally, how do you know these are collection calls? If they are giving you any information whatsoever, then they are violating your superior's right to privacy. You should not answer any questions whatsoever. When you answer questions like the difference between his ownership and partnership, then you are giving out personal information and you are also endangering the other partners and yourself.
As an attorney your superior should, and no doubt does, know this. They will keep calling so long as they can "trick" you into giving them any little tidbit of information. So, as soon as you shut down the info, they'll give up.
When they call, take down a message and if they continue asking questions, just say you have no information, you are simply the answering service. If they keep talking, hang up.
Tell your superior what is happening, tell him you are uncomfortable with the questions they ask. Give him some of the above possible solutions you were thinking of and ask him if it would be okay to do any or all of the above depending upon the situation. If your superior wants you to answer the phone, then ask him what message he/she wants you to give to them or how he wants you to respond. Then do it.
Efficiency -- do you spell check? Do you know how important correct spelling and precise wording is for legal documents? Are you asking these questions at work? If so, what does that do for your efficiency?
2007-02-13 02:30:39 · answer #3 · answered by MH/Citizens Protecting Rights! 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As a receiptionist, part of your job is to answer the phones. As this attorney is a partner in the law firm, this probably includes personal phone calls as well. I'm sure every partner gets personal calls -- spouses, children, banker, lunch friend, tennis buddy, whatever.
Just be polite and brief. "He's not available at the moment. Please leave me your name and phone number and I'll give him the message."
2007-02-13 02:10:02 · answer #4 · answered by kja63 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Notify whoever is calling that the person they are calling for is deceased. Then give them the number 813-273-8160. It is the Rejection Hotline for telemarketers. The number has a really funny pre-recorded message on it and just about every person that I have given it to has stopped calling me.
2007-02-13 02:11:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't. Unfortunately, he has made it your job. Since he is a partner, there is little you can do about it. It probably won't stop until it interferes with his ability to do his job.
Just one more hint. Some of these suggestions people are giving you will surely get you fired. Be careful.
2007-02-13 02:10:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just expalin that.. No he's not the owner and he's not allowed to recieve these calls here. If you continue you will be reported. (it usually works)
2007-02-13 02:09:16 · answer #7 · answered by mdlbldrmatt135 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is a partner and you are his receptionist. You ARE his personal answering service. Suck it up.
2007-02-13 03:09:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Say this is not his phone number (which is true).
2007-02-13 02:11:43 · answer #9 · answered by spot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them he died
2007-02-13 02:08:27 · answer #10 · answered by Mindrape 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋