Is it wrong to block non manager staffs work calls outside of hours?

[dany2010]

Hi,

 

We get given phones at our work which we can either sign to say they will be work only or you will be using them for personal calls as well which we pay for.

 

I have chosen the second option to allow me to us it as a personal phone also.

 

Every so often (happening more often these days) I get calls way out side of working hours, 2 1/2 hours outside sometimes from staff. If I choose not to answer they just keep trying until I get so annoyed I answer. I've had to disable voicemail because of this as the OCD bit in me can't have a 1 next to the phone symbol and if I do listen I then can't stop thinking about the issue until the morning ruining my evening (hate to admit but this isn't a exaggeration either)

 

I don't mind answering calls from my manager and his manager as I know they will be urgent if they ever call but calls from staff are always things that can wait or should be put on the fault database.

 

I have just downloaded a blacklisting app for my phone that I can choose what contact groups I want to receive calls from and when.

 

To me this seems acceptable as after my hours finish it is for personal calls.

 

Does this sound ok to everyone else?

 

Who wouldn't you block?

Edited May 15, 2013 by dany2010

[markwilfan]

I'd be throwing it back at them and buying my own phone unless paid to be on call

[Lftek55]

Hand in an overtime claim for each call,15 mins each. It will soon stop.

[dany2010]

I'd be throwing it back at them and buying my own phone unless paid to be on call

 

Said to my manager jokingly that I was going to do it one time.

 

Think blacklisting calls on a schedule is the nearest thing. Don't want to carry two phones around with me and it's also a free iPhone with free texts, not that I send many these days.

Edited May 15, 2013 by dany2010

[FN-GM]

What app have you used by the way?

[rich_tech]

I have calls going to my mobile here, there is an extension that forwards calls directly to it and it was something that I was asked on starting, its not something that I mind when I am in work, though since I joined orange, the signal is awful on the site I work so its problematic now with calls cutting out.

 

I get very little calls outside of my working hours at all though here, I personally make it a point though not to answer it when I am not in work and see the main school number calling me, people can leave voicemails by all means that can be dealt with when I am in work, anything else my line manager has my mobile number and can text/call me direct if needed, same for the bursar and SMT at the site.

[Andrew_C]

Depends on many things...

 

I would much rather have a call from someone saying "should there be smoke coming from this..." rather than not.

[sted]

Depends on many things...

 

I would much rather have a call from someone saying "should there be smoke coming from this..." rather than not.

 

the problem is screening the wheat from the chaff. I once had a teacher phone me up on christmas day morning about her sons new netbook. which imo is not acceptable

[BassTech]

Do the hours you're paid for, anything else doesn't get dealt with until you're back and within your paid working hours. They don't respect you anymore for answering calls from home, in fact if you do it often they'll come to expect it! Don't get walked all over.

[Danp]

That is why I have a 2nd phone just for school stuff, when I dont want to talk to people I turn it off!

[Jamman960]

I'd certainly block or at the very least not answer work calls out of hours, receiving work emails on my personal phone is bad enough! Core staff here have my personal number but other than that I use a dect handset connected to the schools system when working.

 

Teachers have a habit of working at odd times, I get emails whenever our copier comes up with an error or jams. I often get them on weekends or very late at night.

[NikChillin]

I would get my own phone and leave the work one at work, they shouldn't be calling you unless there was a major problem and then it should only be management. You are making a rod for your own back I'm afraid.

[Edu-IT]

Why do all staff have the number??

[glen_j]

Thats why i have iblacklist on my iphone (you have to jailbreak it to install it though), if their number isn't on the allowed list they can't call me. stops all the unwanted sales call etc too.

[hardtailstar]

should of just got your own phone.

 

I have a work mobile which is only on during work hours. Only the HT and the bursar have my personal mobile but they know its only for emergencys.

[tech_guy]

They have no right to call you outside of your contracted hours unless you are on-call. Leave the phone at work and get yourself one on a cheapy contract for personal use. Don't give the number to anyone work-related. We have enough stress in our lives without having to put up with this as well. I never check my work emails outside of working hours, and have blocked all work email from my personal email accounts. Staff are blocked from my social networking rubbish as well.

[pcstru]

Every so often (happening more often these days) I get calls way out side of working hours, 2 1/2 hours outside sometimes from staff. If I choose not to answer they just keep trying until I get so annoyed I answer.

I'd guess this would be a few individuals. Take the call, be polite, promise to investigate the problem RFN and call them back with a solution as soon as you have it. Do so at 2am.

[RichB]

I have a work phone, it very hard to switch off (mentally) on an evening with it sat there. Some staff have in the past tried to abuse it, I found a stern word the next day solved the issue. It is however a very catch 22 situation people feel because you have the phone they can contact you at anytime. Get the ground rules set out about the phone. My boss's know if it is ugent I will check my emails and voicemail during an evening monday to friday and there is no chance of getting me at a weekend. It a mix of work and play and it can get very mixed up in the education market. As stated before teachers work very strange hours and for 6 weeks at a time, ask them if they are always contactable in the holidays? or try ringing the teachers on there home phone on a half term and see what their repsonse is....

 

Teachers live in a teaching world it not similar to mine or yours...

Edited May 16, 2013 by RichB

[sonofsanta]

If they pay you to be on call out of hours - as some IT technicians are in private sector - then fine. If not, then no, absolutely not. Stuff 'em! You ain't their dancin' monkey

 

When teachers complain that they are always at work, that is because they are paid to always be at work. There's a high court ruling explicitly stating they are paid to work 365 days a year. You are paid to work 37 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. Remind them of that.

[clareq]

If you like the phone get a SIM only contract, and switch SIMs when you are at home.

[dany2010]

What app have you used by the way?

 

Iblacklist also.

 

It's seems to work with contact groups and everything. Bit clunky sometimes but it does the job. And has all the schedulers etc.

 

Looks like the block calls option wins.

Have now denied all calls apart from the managers phone. They just get the busy tone. Same with unknown numbers.

 

I would like to think they would unplug something smoking but I couldn't guarantee that one

Edited May 16, 2013 by dany2010

[Chris_]

I have a work provided phone. Evenings and weekends I put it on silent and ignore it, I'm not paid to be on call. It is useful to be able to check emails in the morning before coming in to work, delete the rubbish and be aware of what needs doing first thing. The number is on the staff phone list - currently it's not abused and I hope it will stay that way!

[plexer]

Samsung phones running later versions of android have a blocking mode so only certain calls and notifications can be allowed to disturb you.

 

No-body at work has my personal mobile and they don't provide me with one so tough.

 

Ben

[catch21]

As soon as they have your work number they'll become incapable of helping themselves.

 

I think its the price you've had to pay for not investing in your own phone. If it were me, iphone or no iphone, I'd hand it back.

[Roberto]

If you don't want to be bothered by calls from work, buy your own phone, don't give the number of that to anyone and return the other one to work. Or just switch it off outside of your agreed times to be available.

 

If you're not ready to take that step just yet then ask the person who okayed you having it what their expectations are and (assuming you agree that they're reasonable) ask for their help enforcing those expectations with the people who keep calling at all hours.

 

Clearly someone has handed out that number as the number to call for IT support and has some kind of expectation that you will answer it out of hours - either explicitly because that's why they agreed for you to have the phone in the first place, or implicitly because are failing to set other more reasonable expectations when giving the number to others.