to stand in your office staring at you waiting for you to finish a phone call? It makes me SO mad but I don't know how to approach it. I am in Human Resources and alot of things I talk about on the phone are confidential. How do I politley say "it is rude for you to just stand here staring at me...come back in 10 minutes"???
2007-12-05 08:23:29 · 56 answers · asked by LG 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
If you have an office door, shut the door for HR conversation. If you don't have an office door, say "I'm on the phone, could you come back in 10 mins?" :)
2007-12-05 09:41:28 · answer #1 · answered by Sandy ♥ - semi retired :) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure of the size of the business,but because of the sensitivity of issue's in your office I would think you would need an appointment, Not just walk in. Worker's or visitor's should go Thur a receptionist. But, For those who get by, Put your call on hold and ask the intruder to wait outside, You'll call on them in a moment. Hope this helps!
Don't you just hate the ones that say: oh, I know you're on the phone but could I ask you something real quick? LOL
2007-12-05 08:42:21 · answer #2 · answered by The Budster 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the only time I stand near someone while they're on the phone is so I can get their signature or something else that only takes 3 seconds that can be done while they're talking. If I have something I need to discuss with them, I immediately walk away when I see they're busy perhaps leaving a sticky note behind that says "I need to speak to you when you get a moment".
I think the best way to handle a person who actually wants to hold a conversation with you and is waiting for you to get off the phone so you can do it is to ask the person on the phone to hold, ask the person waiting what they need, and if it's something that can wait tell them to come back in a few minutes.
2007-12-05 08:30:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
They probably don't realize it, but they are being a tad rude. Just put your hand over the phone and maybe say something like, "I'll be off in about ten minutes, would you please come back then? And would you shut the door for me, please?" The shutting of the door lets them know that its not an option to wait. That should get the message across and they'll learn to just come back later when you're on the phone.
2007-12-05 09:06:10 · answer #4 · answered by Erica 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's rude for them to stand and listen to your conversation, so if you have to be a little rude to get your point across, then so be it. I would try asking the person to hold on the phone, then tell the person waiting to have a seat (put a chair outside your office if possible) or tell them that you are with someone else right now and you will be able to see them in about x amount of minutes... if this does not work you may want to talk to your supervisor about what is company policy for this type of situation!
2007-12-05 08:28:35 · answer #5 · answered by MLE 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would put the person on hold and politely say to the person who is waiting, "I am on a business call at the moment. As soon as I am off the phone, I will get back with you, etc. Thanks." Then stare at them and wait for them to leave before getting back to the person on the phone. Yes, it is rude for them to do that. Most of the time when someone does something rude, if you are polite about setting your boundaries, it becomes apparent to the themselves that they are being rude..
2007-12-05 08:29:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Get a sticky note and write on it, "I can't talk to you right now, give me 10 minutes" or "this is a confidential call" and when they walk in, write that down or have it ready and just hold up the sticky note to them. For some reason, a sticky note is not as offensive as an already-made full-size sign would be.
2007-12-05 08:29:33 · answer #7 · answered by Kimmy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oh I agree! I work at an insurance agency and we have a waiting section for when I'm with customers but people assume if I'm just on the phone it's okay to sit at my desk and just stare at me obviously listening to the confidential phone calls I am having with my clients. I just ask the client I'm on the phone with if I can put them on hold for a moment and then I politely ask the people to sit int he waiting area and that I will be with them in a moment.
2007-12-05 08:27:41 · answer #8 · answered by ☆ღWifey Wifeyღ☆ 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If the conversation that you are having is sensitive, then yes it is wrong for them to listen in. The best way to handle the situation is to pause the phone conversation, look at the person waiting for you and simply ask them to step away, explaining what you are doing. Then assure them you will come to them when you are done.
If you office has a door, close it and compose a polite sign to hang out to please knock.
2007-12-05 09:17:15 · answer #9 · answered by Ranger473 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would politey state that you are dealing with confidential information that must be respected, and need them to return in 10 minutes. I do not think that is rude at all; especially if they would want the same confidentiality.
2007-12-05 08:27:31 · answer #10 · answered by privatecriminal2000 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋