Tammi's World

If your taking calls from customer 7 days a week (which means on your day off) then no you shouldn't have to check your email because if someone doesn't reach you by email they should call, especially if they know it's your day off.

Jerks.

You shouldn't have to even take calls on Day 7. Nor Day 6.
Don't worry... once I rule the world, those who dictate such things are among the first up against the wall.

My dear,

Consider that we are forever at the mercy of those above us as long as we work for them.

I know, I am about to catch some hell myself.

I feel for you.

Heck No!

But then what do I know? I certainly can't be accused of "taking my work home". Since I'm ALWAYS there.

I sometimes wish that I had the "luxury" of having more time at the keyboard.

I can totally empathize. I remember taking a sick day, running 102 fever and getting 'called' because I wasn't at work. Then spent 3 hours with a customer and people in Germany while sitting on my kitchen floor. I then got 'reprimanded' the next day. Needless to say, that went over like a lead balloon. I also have b.lls of steel and told them they could shove this job if I was going to be treated this way. I proceeded to explain what happened and to my HUGE surprise got an apology.

After that though, I sent out a note to my co-workers and boss quoting the customer service krap they put out about time off. Even though I was considered on-call 24x7... I am allowed to be sick and not answer emails or phone calls. I was surprised I wasn't fired. ;-) So I totally empathize with you. Bosses can be such jerks sometimes.

Take a deep breath... and go look for another job. GRIN!

Hell no its not fair, and may even be actionable under HR rules. SOB is far too kind for this jerk.

Tammi, that's a tricky one. My initial response (as several above) was to say, "HELL no!".

I still feel that is correct, but I'm trying to play devil's advocate (I promise, just for a couple seconds).

If you are front-line response for customers at your company, and your manager (for whatever foolish-assed reason) wants some feedback on that 7th day when a customer calls you about something important, mightn't you be obligated to keep your employer informed? *shifting out of devil's advocate mode now*

Seems to me a large part of the problem is you are "sort of" on duty that 7th day, and feel an obligation to your customers (as any good person in sales or marketing should). But maybe, just maybe, you should make the "lines" sharper - both with your employer and with your customers.

All that said, I empathize - been there. Hard to draw the lines just so and get it all right at the same time.

The question to ask your boss is for HIM to define what "day off" means. This is one you need to talk about - even though he's being a jerk. Once you talk about it and agree to everything - you need to get it confirmed in writing.

Example - on Tammi's day off, she does not have to check her email for work related issues. etc etc etc.

I would suggest that during the discussion everything agreed on gets written down, you email it to him and ask him to confirm what was agreed on. Then you have it in writing. That should keep him in his place :-)

You need a new job. Period.

*Echoing Teresa* What SHE said - but she said it much more clearly than I did.

Being the level headed person that I am, I say no. No, you should not be reprimanded. Not unless they made it clear when assigning you to this job, that you should make yourself available 24/7. Of course, that's in a similar vein as what Teresa said.

And still being the level-headed, clear thinking, laid back individual that I am, I recommend shoving one of their new matresses right up their ... hey, I've gotta run!

Hope things improve for ya!