Its Not That Urgent
Its only Tuesday, the second day of my vacation, and I’ve already received several “urgent” emails and text messages from work. I am amazed at the impudence of some people. Except for a few days at Thanksgiving, our kids haven’t been home in four months. I wonder how they would be if their kids were older and they were in my situation. There is ZERO chance that I’m going to work while they are home. This time is precious and I’m not wasting any of it at work. I’ve been very politely telling people to find someone else to help them; but nobody should even be asking me!
P.S. Currently transcoding a video for this week’s Tuesday post. We know it’s late; but we’re on vacation.
I know how you feel. The same thing happens to me – all the time. I’m happy that you are taking a stand and making your family the most important thing.
John: Nobody is indispensible. If I quit and got another job, they would find a way to get things done. So they should be able to leave me alone when I am on a rare vacation. Unlike a lot of people, I don’t ever call in sick and I never take more than an occasional afternoon off when I need to do something for the kids. Considering how dedicated I am, there really should be more respect for me and my family. It shouldn’t be something that I have to take a stand on.
Hope you have a lovely vacation.
I feel you about the calls at home – Sweety is basically “on call” all of the time and gets some of the stupidest phone calls at the most unreasonable hours.
Chickie: Sometimes, they really do need to call someone to get things resolved in a timely fashion. The thing that irritates me is the fact that they don’t even try to resolve the issue before calling me. One person even said their boss was at home (on vacation) which was why they were calling me; as if I wasn’t on vacation too! One thing is certain. They don’t pay me like I’m indispensible.
Reading this makes me feel fortunate to be out of my old job- I never had a vaca I was not called or emailed numerous times in 10 years. I just don’t get it- as a safeguard a company should have cross training so that another employee can always perform tasks if necessary. Spending time with your kids when they are barely home because they are in college is necessary.
I left you a wish on my latest post…
Viemoira: We “cross train”. On many of the interruptions, I am the backup. But it doesn’t help of the “primary person” punts all of the time. If you are incompetent, people will leave you alone. If you are actually helpful, you get taken advantage of. My kids haven’t both been in the same place in a long time so this is where it stops. Thanks for the wish!
You have your priorities right!
Alfie: I am sure I do. I’m just amazed at the thoughtlessness of some people.
Like Alfie said, you have your priorities right! I charge comptime whenever I’m called on vacation. One hour per call. I don’t check my e-mail when I’m off and, thankfully, I’m not “important” enough to have a cell/smart phone.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your family. Hope you have a great holiday!
Mr. Manic Depressive: I definitely keep the calls, etc. in mind when I am completing my time card. But, time off in 2011 after the kids have gone back to school is worthless. Even replying to an email that says I’m unavailable wastes time that I can’t get back. I don’t have a company phone either. Believe it or not, I get all of the texts and emails on my personal smart phone.
Merry Christmas to you and your family too!