Boss that Calls Without Notice

[Anonymous]

Um, if you are working from home, I check your calendar and if you are not in a meeting, I feel free to gchat, email, OR call. Just like I would feel free to email, gchat, call OR stop by your office when we are in the office at the same time. I don’t think anything of it if you don’t answer right away (you could be in the bathroom, taking a quick walk around the block, or changing laundry to the dryer for all I care), but I’m not going to act like calling you during business hours is some big thing I need to be sensitive about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all sound like dinosaurs. Nobody calls people or wants a phone call.

This.

Seriously. Do not call me. Schedule a meeting if you MUST talk to me beyond what can be communicated in a few lines of text.

Come on.

-42, elder millennial

I'm not a dinosaur, and I generally hate the phone when the conversation could be a text or two line email, HOWEVER, some conversations are better over the phone (if in person isn't an option). It can take a back and forth email conversation and squash it, quickly.

Of course— but in your example, there was email which prompted the call. In those situations we would usually say, “got a minute?” And wait to hear back. If it’s truly urgent, I’m working on it already anyway and available. If it’s not urgent, it can freaking wait.

[Anonymous]

Lot of people on here who are worried the boss will call when they're 'in a meeting' -- at the gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lot of people on here who are worried the boss will call when they're 'in a meeting' -- at the gym.

Who cares? A lot of people work well with a structured schedule with minimal fire drills. For many people, who work in well run organizations with competent leadership, this is totally normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all sound like dinosaurs. Nobody calls people or wants a phone call.

You have to be a barista at Starbucks.
Don't write any of your political slogans on my cup please!

I’m not the PP, but you are showing your age.

I’m firmly middle aged and I’m a professional field. Don’t waste my time with a call out of the blue. My boss knows better.

Then you may have a job or role that does not demand immediate problem solving or need for immediate information.
Many of us in IT do especially in high paying positions.
Its part of the job.

[Anonymous]

Well, if it's during the work day you pretty much are on notice. Constructive notice. Like at all times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all sound like dinosaurs. Nobody calls people or wants a phone call.

This.

Seriously. Do not call me. Schedule a meeting if you MUST talk to me beyond what can be communicated in a few lines of text.

Come on.

-42, elder millennial

Yep, this - also 42 elder millennial. Set up a meeting if we need to talk. If it's a quick/time sensitive thing, ping me and ask if I'm available to talk, preferably including what about. My boss very occasionally calls me out of the blue and I answer if I'm available and don't if I'm not. He understands that I'm also managing my team and a busy calendar (and life) and is not concerned or judgmental if I can't pick up at the exact moment. As a boss myself, I can't think of the last time I called someone out of the blue without at least pinging first. Probably depends on your company culture as well.

[Anonymous]

I give my direct reports a quick text before I call to see if they are available. I have found a missed call is more anxiety producing for them. I save the call-without-heads-up for things that are really important and they get that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all sound like dinosaurs. Nobody calls people or wants a phone call.

This.

Seriously. Do not call me. Schedule a meeting if you MUST talk to me beyond what can be communicated in a few lines of text.

Come on.

-42, elder millennial

Lol you’re Gen X i think

[Anonymous]

WFH positions - drop in calls without notice are the norm, even encouraged at our office.

In order to WFH you must be available for 8 core hours. Lunches are supposed to blocked out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all sound like dinosaurs. Nobody calls people or wants a phone call.

This.

Seriously. Do not call me. Schedule a meeting if you MUST talk to me beyond what can be communicated in a few lines of text.

Come on.

-42, elder millennial

Lol you’re Gen X i think

Xennial at best. 1980 is the bridge year. It's generally agreed that 1981 is Millenial and that 1979 is Gen X. Though you could argue 1978-1982 birth years are all Xennials.

[Anonymous]

If this is in normal business hours what is the issue?

[Anonymous]

OP, you might feel less anxious if you knew it was okay not to always have the answer right away. Say “thanks for calling—I want to check my files on this before I give you an answer. I’ll call you back before noon.” Or something like that.
I get clients call all the time with no notice and it’s important not to blfeel like you need to respond off the cuff when the person is really just trying to convey the question to you. Most people can wait a few for the answer if they feel like you’ve understood the question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WFH positions - drop in calls without notice are the norm, even encouraged at our office.

In order to WFH you must be available for 8 core hours. Lunches are supposed to blocked out.

Right except sometimes I am already on the phone with someone. Or in a meeting online. Or finishing a task I am concentrating on. If I can answer, I will! And usually do. But if I was in the office, you might have to come back to track me down because I would wave you away (I am on the phone) or I am not at my desk (I am in a meeting). This applies to WFH too.

I think a reasonable call back time is ok. So if I see my boss call, but I am busy, I will send him a text saying what I'm doing and that I'll call him back. If I can reasonably call back, I do as soon as possible. My boss trusts me to do my job, and be available. And so I am.

[Anonymous]

Crazy thread.

I'm an introverted Gen-X worker. I have no idea why anyone would have a problem with his boss calling him about work-related topics during normal working hours. That is how work works.

I would feel differently if this thread were about short calls that turn into hour-long discussions, but, as far as I can tell, that is not that issue that OP has. I could also see where it might be a problem if the boss calls extremely frequently (multiple times per hour) with simple, non-urgent questions, but, again, this does not seem to be the problem under discussion.

In any case: if you are at work and the phone rings, answer it. If your boss is on the other end, talk to him. If he has questions, answer them.