#WorkLifeBalance #BoundarySetting #RespectAfterHours
Have you ever experienced the frustration of receiving a work-related call or message right after you’ve clocked out for the day? It can be not only annoying but also disrespectful of your personal time and space. In a recent incident with my wife, this issue hit close to home and made us realize the importance of setting boundaries and standing up for our right to a work-life balance.
The Problem:
My wife and I had to put down our 16-year-old dog this past week. We were already emotionally drained as we had to make the difficult decision to say goodbye to our beloved pet. Both of us had taken time off work to spend with our dog and each other in this challenging time. However, right in the middle of our grieving process, my wife received a call from someone at her workplace.
The caller, a director from a different department, had the audacity to call my wife, who was supposed to be off that day, and ask about work matters just an hour after our dog had been put to sleep. This lack of empathy and respect for her personal time left my wife feeling frustrated and disrespected.
The Solution:
1. Set Clear Boundaries:
- Communicate with your colleagues and superiors about your off-time boundaries.
- Let them know that work-related calls or messages after hours are not acceptable unless it’s an emergency.
2. Document Off-the-Clock Interactions:
- If you receive work-related calls or messages after hours, make a note of them.
- Keeping a record will help you address the issue with your employer and ensure you are compensated for your time.
3. Stand Up for Yourself:
- If you feel that your personal time is being disrespected, speak up and address the issue with your employer or HR department.
- Don’t be afraid to assert your right to a work-life balance and demand respect for your personal time.
After the incident with the work call, my wife decided to file a complaint with her boss. As a result, her boss instructed her to document any off-the-clock interactions and assured her that she would be compensated for her time. This experience taught us the importance of setting boundaries and standing up for ourselves when it comes to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Remember, your personal time is just as valuable as your work time. Don’t let anyone disrespect it. #RespectAfterHours #WorkLifeBalance
Good boss, and good husband.
If this happens to my wife, I would be sending this director a very detailed email about how inappropriate that call was and cc the ceo of that company. If they retaliate, it might make me consider violence as an option. My dogs are my world and my wife feels the same way. Don’t fuck with my family, dogs, kids or wife.
I’m sorry about your old girl. For what it’s worth I think ignoring it was the right move. It allowed you to be there for her and your wife when they needed you.
I’m so sorry for your loss and that your wife had to deal with that. Now, I encourage you to put your energy into grieving and healing with your wife, and letting HR take care of your wife’s complaint. You both deserve love and peace now, and while it is natural to be furious with someone who has terrible boundary and insensitivity issues, putting your focus on connecting with your wife during this difficult time will make the healing process go better for both of you. Good that you let off much needed steam. Now let that dumb bitch go and do something nice for yourself and your wife. Sending a hug to both of you.
Sorry for your loss.
I think this bill is a good start and hope it happens everywhere. Just don’t like the scheduling provision and emergency provision. Too vague.
https://abc7.com/california-bill-employees-the-right-to-disconnect-during-non-work-hours/14604813/
Sorry about your dog.
I bet boss thinks they will be paying five minutes here and five minutes there.
Will she get on call pay of min 2 hours per call?
I got fired a couple weeks ago, two hours after we put down our cat. The boss knew this was planned.
Log any OOO calls? That’s not the point… they shouldn’t be calling you outside of work at all.
I’m very sorry for the loss of your old girl.
I’m an RN and it’s well known in our department that if you have to put a pet down, it’s a no questions asked sick day. Our manager has pets.
So sorry….. we’re having to make some tough decisions this week for our old girl.
A shame about your dog, and sorry for your loss.
If you are in the US, look into whatever state laws govern hourly. When I was hourly, under normal circumstances, I loved getting those calls because the minimum work hours for a day is four – thirty second phone call means that I can clock 4 hours of time, and maybe even overtime.
My 17 year old Soul Dog, Roxy, passed away 4 years ago now.
The day she passed I was meant to be working night shit but I texted saying there was a death in the family and they gave me a week off, paid. (In Australia for context) I never did tell them it was for my dog, but she’s my baby & legit only family I had at the time
I don’t know how realistic this is but I worked an hourly position a few years ago where I would get called incessantly when I wasn’t in. Instead of documenting and getting paid for what I imagine are often only 4 minute calls or so, she should see if they’ll give her a stipend to answer the phone. In my experience getting an actual set amount to answer the phone is much more worth it than getting a few Pennie’s for answering.
Sorry about your pup 😞😞😞