Okay, I have a part-time, just over minimum wage job as a photographer in a portrait studio. When I get off work, and the manager goes in next, she calls me to discuss my work, how much money we made that day, and other work-related matters that I feel can and should be discussed either with the person on hand (our every transaction is on a sheet by the register, and the girl who relieved me this afternoon would have been able to tell her exact dollar amounts) or with me the next time I am working.
As in, when I'm working, I don't spend my time on the phone with my husband or my kids' school or doctor, or I don't do any other personal business. When I'm at home with my family, I don't want to have to dread my cell phone ringing to talk about work with my boss.
Is that something that sounds alright to you, or is it reasonable to want to not have her call me on my time off unless there is some emergency or she has a question that can't wait?
2007-09-20 15:02:18 · 8 answers · asked by CrazyChick 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Heather, thanks. :-)
Gotta say, though, my boss also will tell me to clock out and finish up my work, so we don't go over hours that week. All schedules are "iffy" (she'll change them around, adding or subtracting hours, mid-work-week)...
So I'm not positive she'll understand when I tell her I want her to quit calling me unless there is an actual reason she HAS to call me RIGHT THEN ("Where is the.....?" for example)
2007-09-20 16:05:04 · update #1
I worked with my mother and sister for several years. We had a rule that always worked for us: work is work, and home is home. In other words: what happens at work is discussed at work, not at home!
Unless you are a manager, which means you are paid a salary, you are not required to answer to your boss on your personal time. If your boss feels that these discussions are important, then he or she needs to schedule time AT WORK to discuss them. This is a law (at least in the US).
Tell your boss politely that you value your private time, and you would prefer to have work discussions during your scheduled work hours. He or she should understand this.
2007-09-20 16:00:24 · answer #1 · answered by Heather C 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As an hourly employee, you are not required to do business on your off time. However, as a good employee, you probably should take the calls, unless the quantity of call becomess excessive. But also as an hourly employee, you should be compensated for your time. If you fill out a timesheet, just make sure you include the time spent on these phone calls. And if you punch a time clock, I'm sure they have a way to write in time also.
2007-09-21 22:15:17 · answer #2 · answered by ds37x 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Some cultures don't have a division between personal and work space (like mine.) Your boss might be from one of those, or may have been raised where that was common. If not, I would talk to my boss about the issues you're having.
2007-09-20 22:39:05 · answer #3 · answered by Danagasta 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sounds reasonable, but a very tricky situation. with many bosses, it is more about what you are willing to put up with to keep your job than it is about what's reasonable or not. you could not answer your phone--she might eventually get the hint and stop calling--you could perhaps stay a bit late after your shift, and say, 'so is there anything you want to discuss with me before i go?' or something like that, then she could get all talked out before you leave and have less to call about; she obviously values you in some way that could be considered flattering, but has no boundaries about work. the last resort is just having to talk to her about it, and risk her displeasure.
2007-09-20 22:10:24 · answer #4 · answered by KJC 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I would just tell her. It sounds like everything she is calling you about she could easily just look for herself. If you don't want to talk to her about it just don't answer the cell phone when she calls after a while she should get the hint.
2007-09-20 22:12:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
don't answer the phone. If/when she asks you about it simply explain that you were busy and couldn't take her call. If she presses you on it you can tell her you didn't hear it, were at the doctors, talking with a friend on your land line or if you know her well enough tell her you and your husbands were engaging in some hanky panky.
2007-09-20 22:20:18 · answer #6 · answered by ilufthemountains 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
It's your time off. Like you said. Don't call unless. Put your foot down. A good employee like yourself would not have a hard time finding another job if they don't stop.
2007-09-20 22:25:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No it's not unreasonable - tell her not to call and if you can and it's not too much trouble change your number and do NOT give it to her,
What a cheek - highly paid businessmen might expect that but if you are on minimun wage with a Family - no way!
2007-09-20 22:22:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋