Ignoring Non Work Related Texts on Weekends

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t imagine why anyone would tell work colleagues they were heading to the ER over the weekend??? Is this a thing? Why?

And I certainly can’t imagine telling colleagues about kidney stones. So weird.

Probably the other colleagues are friends/friendly- maybe someone said hey anyone wanna meet up for xyz, and Bill said ughh I’m stuck at Georgetown hospital w this annoying chest pain.

I don’t text my coworkers like this, but do have neighborhood friends text chains like this.

Weird flex from the boss to call OP out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Right now, #1.

If you really are being bombarded with non work texts on your personal line, I would address that later at a more appropriate time. Addressing it now right after co worker had health scare seems wrong.

This. Personally, I have zero interest in being bombarded by coworker-related texts over the weekend, including about Kevin's kidney stone or other health issue.

I wish I could like this 100 times.

Who the hell are these people that think their colleages who think they are owed attention? Do that not have lives of their own? How would they like their phone blowing up about........... my broken lawnmower.... or whatever issue I'm dealing with while they tend to their families' needs?

I fully admit I'm a bit of a misanthope but this angers me to no end. I would have lost it on your manager.

Did they seriously thnk Bill's kidney stone was important enough to not only interrupt your weekend but to actually attempt to shame you???

I honestly belive this is textbook harassment , and if this happens regularly that you could sue your employer.

NP. A bit of a misanthrope?! Holy moly, that's an understatement.

I'd like to know how long it actually took OP to read through the 37 texts in the text chain, a couple minutes tops? The boss's text was out of line, but OP's anger about the situation seems like an overreaction to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My colleagues have my personal cell phone number. They have abused it since day one 6 years ago when I started. They routinely text me about non-critical work issues after hours and expect responses whether it be 5 am on a Sunday or 10 pm on a Tuesday.

This weekend one of our temamtes was admitted to Georgetown Hospital with severe chest pain. There were, I sh*t you not, 37 texts between 8 people expressing immediate concern and offers to help with their kids, dogs, meals etc.

Early this morning the 'patient' revealed that it was a ...... kidney stone.

Not even 15 minutes later, my manager (who is in the work group text) sent me a side text expressing 'dissapointment' that I had yet to chime in.

My wife and I had actaully taken a rare weekend away in a cabin by Charlottesville. My tean not only knew this, but I warned them that I might be unreachable as cell service is spotty down there.

Point being- they don't know whether I received these texts or not. So my manager's text is so out of line I'm having trouble containing my anger

I'm torn between playing dumb and texting back this afternoon "Hey, just back to reality and I got all these texts. Happy to hear Bill's issue wasnt serious!"

or

Texting my manager back alone and demanding a meeting with her boss first thing as this is clear cut harassment and invasion of privacy.

Your vote?

But no one knew it was a kidney stone initially, right? Seems like a normal caring person thing to discuss that with colleagues over the weekend. You should have chimed in early and then just been done with it. Not saying they should use your personal cell all the time, but in this case, it seems reasonable. You should just say you had your notifications silenced and just now seeing this. Deal with the inappropriate work texts another time when it's about something else.

This. People are focusing on the manager, who was absolutely out of line. But OP, while no one is entitled to your attention, the normal, human, courteous thing to do when someone has a medical issue is to at least acknowledge it, and offer sympathy and/or support. That you can't see that, or don't care, does not speak well of you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Right now, #1.

If you really are being bombarded with non work texts on your personal line, I would address that later at a more appropriate time. Addressing it now right after co worker had health scare seems wrong.

This. Personally, I have zero interest in being bombarded by coworker-related texts over the weekend, including about Kevin's kidney stone or other health issue.

I wish I could like this 100 times.

Who the hell are these people that think their colleages who think they are owed attention? Do that not have lives of their own? How would they like their phone blowing up about........... my broken lawnmower.... or whatever issue I'm dealing with while they tend to their families' needs?

I fully admit I'm a bit of a misanthope but this angers me to no end. I would have lost it on your manager.

Did they seriously thnk Bill's kidney stone was important enough to not only interrupt your weekend but to actually attempt to shame you???

I honestly belive this is textbook harassment , and if this happens regularly that you could sue your employer.

You are both wrong and an idiot.

[Anonymous]

Was the patient on the group text? Weird.

I’d text the patient directly and be done with it.

[Anonymous]

If you are off the clock there is no such thing as a weekend. I have hourly workers who work for me. I on purpose don't know their cell phone numbers as never plan on contacting them off work hours.

Highly paid exempt people who get a bonus with a company paid cell phone getting a text on a weekend freaking out well I go a solution.

I actually had someone once like you. I said go back on the clock, take away your paid for cell phone, you work 800 am to 430pm daily. You will get a set lunch break and a set 15 minute break. No work at all expected non work hours and on your lunch or break. Also will never contact you on vacation or day off. In fact I will have no way to do that.

Trade off I need you to take a $120,000 a year pay cut. So it will cost you $10,000 a month to avoid and occasional weekend text or email that needs response after work hours.

The person apparently realized she spends tops 1-2 hours a month on these after hour or weekend texts and she get paid $10,000 a month to do it. She was very happy going forward to answer them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My colleagues have my personal cell phone number. They have abused it since day one 6 years ago when I started. They routinely text me about non-critical work issues after hours and expect responses whether it be 5 am on a Sunday or 10 pm on a Tuesday.

This weekend one of our temamtes was admitted to Georgetown Hospital with severe chest pain. There were, I sh*t you not, 37 texts between 8 people expressing immediate concern and offers to help with their kids, dogs, meals etc.

Early this morning the 'patient' revealed that it was a ...... kidney stone.

Not even 15 minutes later, my manager (who is in the work group text) sent me a side text expressing 'dissapointment' that I had yet to chime in.

My wife and I had actaully taken a rare weekend away in a cabin by Charlottesville. My tean not only knew this, but I warned them that I might be unreachable as cell service is spotty down there.

Point being- they don't know whether I received these texts or not. So my manager's text is so out of line I'm having trouble containing my anger

I'm torn between playing dumb and texting back this afternoon "Hey, just back to reality and I got all these texts. Happy to hear Bill's issue wasnt serious!"

or

Texting my manager back alone and demanding a meeting with her boss first thing as this is clear cut harassment and invasion of privacy.

Your vote?

But no one knew it was a kidney stone initially, right? Seems like a normal caring person thing to discuss that with colleagues over the weekend. You should have chimed in early and then just been done with it. Not saying they should use your personal cell all the time, but in this case, it seems reasonable. You should just say you had your notifications silenced and just now seeing this. Deal with the inappropriate work texts another time when it's about something else.

No one knew it wasn't a heart attack or embolism either. People don't have to share every moment of their lives, OK?

I have gout that gives me a bad flare every year or so that literally cripples me and makes me bed ridden on opiates for 3 or 4 days. I don't share all that. I just send a work email out telling people I'm sick and will be working from home for a few days.

Well, since you didn't share, then how would anyone start to discuss? That would not happen in your case.

I guess different workplaces are different. We aren't all bffs and don't go to happy hours together etc. But some in our office are closer than others. If one finds out Jane's mom died or Jane's in the hospital, for example, the friend will let the rest of us know. That's helpful to know as a caring human, I do care about my coworkers as people. And also, if I'm supposed to get a document from Jane later this week, I know we may need to adjust that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are off the clock there is no such thing as a weekend. I have hourly workers who work for me. I on purpose don't know their cell phone numbers as never plan on contacting them off work hours.

Highly paid exempt people who get a bonus with a company paid cell phone getting a text on a weekend freaking out well I go a solution.

I actually had someone once like you. I said go back on the clock, take away your paid for cell phone, you work 800 am to 430pm daily. You will get a set lunch break and a set 15 minute break. No work at all expected non work hours and on your lunch or break. Also will never contact you on vacation or day off. In fact I will have no way to do that.

Trade off I need you to take a $120,000 a year pay cut. So it will cost you $10,000 a month to avoid and occasional weekend text or email that needs response after work hours.

The person apparently realized she spends tops 1-2 hours a month on these after hour or weekend texts and she get paid $10,000 a month to do it. She was very happy going forward to answer them.

You've never been an employer in your life

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are off the clock there is no such thing as a weekend. I have hourly workers who work for me. I on purpose don't know their cell phone numbers as never plan on contacting them off work hours.

Highly paid exempt people who get a bonus with a company paid cell phone getting a text on a weekend freaking out well I go a solution.

I actually had someone once like you. I said go back on the clock, take away your paid for cell phone, you work 800 am to 430pm daily. You will get a set lunch break and a set 15 minute break. No work at all expected non work hours and on your lunch or break. Also will never contact you on vacation or day off. In fact I will have no way to do that.

Trade off I need you to take a $120,000 a year pay cut. So it will cost you $10,000 a month to avoid and occasional weekend text or email that needs response after work hours.

The person apparently realized she spends tops 1-2 hours a month on these after hour or weekend texts and she get paid $10,000 a month to do it. She was very happy going forward to answer them.

You're overpaying people 10K a month in anticipation of an occasional weekend email?

Pretty sure that makes you the fool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are off the clock there is no such thing as a weekend. I have hourly workers who work for me. I on purpose don't know their cell phone numbers as never plan on contacting them off work hours.

Highly paid exempt people who get a bonus with a company paid cell phone getting a text on a weekend freaking out well I go a solution.

I actually had someone once like you. I said go back on the clock, take away your paid for cell phone, you work 800 am to 430pm daily. You will get a set lunch break and a set 15 minute break. No work at all expected non work hours and on your lunch or break. Also will never contact you on vacation or day off. In fact I will have no way to do that.

Trade off I need you to take a $120,000 a year pay cut. So it will cost you $10,000 a month to avoid and occasional weekend text or email that needs response after work hours.

The person apparently realized she spends tops 1-2 hours a month on these after hour or weekend texts and she get paid $10,000 a month to do it. She was very happy going forward to answer them.

You're overpaying people 10K a month in anticipation of an occasional weekend email?

Pretty sure that makes you the fool.

I think you need to read a bit more carefully. The point is, hourly workers are paid less and are able to leave their work entirely at the office. After a certain salary threshold, you expect your employees to be available in the event of something after-hours needing their attention.

Maybe it's just few emails a month that they need to respond do. But if there's a five-alarm fire on a weekend, they'd damn better be there helping solve the problem. This is why they're paid more, and given more responsibility than, hourly workers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are off the clock there is no such thing as a weekend. I have hourly workers who work for me. I on purpose don't know their cell phone numbers as never plan on contacting them off work hours.

Highly paid exempt people who get a bonus with a company paid cell phone getting a text on a weekend freaking out well I go a solution.

I actually had someone once like you. I said go back on the clock, take away your paid for cell phone, you work 800 am to 430pm daily. You will get a set lunch break and a set 15 minute break. No work at all expected non work hours and on your lunch or break. Also will never contact you on vacation or day off. In fact I will have no way to do that.

Trade off I need you to take a $120,000 a year pay cut. So it will cost you $10,000 a month to avoid and occasional weekend text or email that needs response after work hours.

The person apparently realized she spends tops 1-2 hours a month on these after hour or weekend texts and she get paid $10,000 a month to do it. She was very happy going forward to answer them.

J1J2 guy forgot to take his clozapine again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are off the clock there is no such thing as a weekend. I have hourly workers who work for me. I on purpose don't know their cell phone numbers as never plan on contacting them off work hours.

Highly paid exempt people who get a bonus with a company paid cell phone getting a text on a weekend freaking out well I go a solution.

I actually had someone once like you. I said go back on the clock, take away your paid for cell phone, you work 800 am to 430pm daily. You will get a set lunch break and a set 15 minute break. No work at all expected non work hours and on your lunch or break. Also will never contact you on vacation or day off. In fact I will have no way to do that.

Trade off I need you to take a $120,000 a year pay cut. So it will cost you $10,000 a month to avoid and occasional weekend text or email that needs response after work hours.

The person apparently realized she spends tops 1-2 hours a month on these after hour or weekend texts and she get paid $10,000 a month to do it. She was very happy going forward to answer them.

You're overpaying people 10K a month in anticipation of an occasional weekend email?

Pretty sure that makes you the fool.

Nope every place I worked exempt employees got paid a lot more for what they do. I go to a monthly 7 pm meeting and an annual weekend off site. I also answer texts or emails off hours. I get paid 150k then the on the clock coworkers doing my same job. My last job I actually got paid 250k more. I don’t own these companies. It is just how business works.

I never contact on the clock people off hours, never force them
on business trips, travel their own time, never make them do off the clock training, never make them skip lunch or a break. And they happily work for 100k to 250k a year less to get this benefit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are off the clock there is no such thing as a weekend. I have hourly workers who work for me. I on purpose don't know their cell phone numbers as never plan on contacting them off work hours.

Highly paid exempt people who get a bonus with a company paid cell phone getting a text on a weekend freaking out well I go a solution.

I actually had someone once like you. I said go back on the clock, take away your paid for cell phone, you work 800 am to 430pm daily. You will get a set lunch break and a set 15 minute break. No work at all expected non work hours and on your lunch or break. Also will never contact you on vacation or day off. In fact I will have no way to do that.

Trade off I need you to take a $120,000 a year pay cut. So it will cost you $10,000 a month to avoid and occasional weekend text or email that needs response after work hours.

The person apparently realized she spends tops 1-2 hours a month on these after hour or weekend texts and she get paid $10,000 a month to do it. She was very happy going forward to answer them.

You're overpaying people 10K a month in anticipation of an occasional weekend email?

Pretty sure that makes you the fool.

I think you need to read a bit more carefully. The point is, hourly workers are paid less and are able to leave their work entirely at the office. After a certain salary threshold, you expect your employees to be available in the event of something after-hours needing their attention.

Maybe it's just few emails a month that they need to respond do. But if there's a five-alarm fire on a weekend, they'd damn better be there helping solve the problem. This is why they're paid more, and given more responsibility than, hourly workers.

This isn't work related, you moron. Bill had a kidney stone.

For Christ's sake, try and keep up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are off the clock there is no such thing as a weekend. I have hourly workers who work for me. I on purpose don't know their cell phone numbers as never plan on contacting them off work hours.

Highly paid exempt people who get a bonus with a company paid cell phone getting a text on a weekend freaking out well I go a solution.

I actually had someone once like you. I said go back on the clock, take away your paid for cell phone, you work 800 am to 430pm daily. You will get a set lunch break and a set 15 minute break. No work at all expected non work hours and on your lunch or break. Also will never contact you on vacation or day off. In fact I will have no way to do that.

Trade off I need you to take a $120,000 a year pay cut. So it will cost you $10,000 a month to avoid and occasional weekend text or email that needs response after work hours.

The person apparently realized she spends tops 1-2 hours a month on these after hour or weekend texts and she get paid $10,000 a month to do it. She was very happy going forward to answer them.

You're overpaying people 10K a month in anticipation of an occasional weekend email?

Pretty sure that makes you the fool.

I think you need to read a bit more carefully. The point is, hourly workers are paid less and are able to leave their work entirely at the office. After a certain salary threshold, you expect your employees to be available in the event of something after-hours needing their attention.

Maybe it's just few emails a month that they need to respond do. But if there's a five-alarm fire on a weekend, they'd damn better be there helping solve the problem. This is why they're paid more, and given more responsibility than, hourly workers.

This isn't work related, you moron. Bill had a kidney stone.

For Christ's sake, try and keep up.

Always a good idea to click to read earlier quoted posts, to be aware of context and avoid looking foolish by insulting your betters.

[Anonymous]

Ignore the whole thing and keep working as normal would be my advice.