I’ve found it’s better to just go ahead and answer if you have the time. Or it will just be a bigger mess when you return to work because someone else really fkd it up causing you even more work

The guys in the field are there when needed, no matter the time or day. We ask nothing of them we haven’t done or wouldn’t do ourselves to make sure it gets handled.

I was the worst when I worked a corporate job for 3 years. Idk why they kept me around for that long. I answered 1 email the whole time and would never answer my phone. If they don’t pay my pc/cell bill they are sol, I don’t pay for a phone just so it’s easier for folks to track or get ahold of me. They used my picture to put on their website without telling me and I told them they better take it down those jokers didn’t pay for my likeness. Ain’t nothing free and I don’t like my picture all over the web. I don’t care if folks call me a prima-donna

Ok I will fine tune my question.

There are mission critical issues, and those need to be handled, I get that. I am talking about things that they could send you an email about and you answer when you are back in the office, or in alot of cases, that you don't need to even answer. Or you have multiple people contacting you about the same issue, because you chose to communicate with the dept head, and it didn't seem to get beyond them.

Most of my positions at the PD were Command positions and/or decision making issues. I spent at least half of my career being on call. We were modestly compensated for being on call and were paid for the time we came out. We were not paid for the numerous phone calls we got that did not require we come out. They said that is what our on call pay covered. We got 4 extra hours/week for being on call unless you were salaried. For awhile some of the Drug Unit guys were raping the city by claiming unreal hours on their Time Sheets because they were waiting by the phone for "An informant to call". That only lasted while they were in great favor with the Chief. A new chief put a stop to that. Realize that there are completely different Federal overtime rules for Public Safety employees.

I just lit up some ignorant Karen of a property manager for sending a stupid email on a Sunday. It was not an emergency and half of what she said was a lie.

I get it, if there is a true emergency people need to be able to reach you. Our society has made people way to dependent on asking questions, and being in constant contact, most of the time they are dumb questions. And if people would learn to actually think they would solve 99% of their own questions.

Who remembers the days before cell phones and emails, stick a stamp on it and they would get it 3 days later.

If youre salary , there are guild lines for after hours . If you want a life don't have a job like that .

I was a maintenance man at a apartment complex for 6 years . Worse 6 years of my life.

I’m a foundry maintenance manager. 24/7 operation. I’m ALWAYS on call/text/email/smoke signals. It has gotten better in the last couple of years after I weened my guys off the stupid questions. Think before you call!
To the OP, NO formal policy. More like an unwritten “if you don’t then you won’t go far”

I put my phone on "Do Not Disturb" after certain hours.

That said I've always encouraged any of the guys at the power plants to call me anytime they need me. Most all the plant guys have my personal cell phone number.
After all we all are here to keep the power on. Its' one of the reasons I have never been without work and why the higher ups are always asking me if I have any work for folks who don't have any. It's been a good career for me.

Make yourself indispensable and you will never be without a job or a nice raise.

I’m in day maintenance at our mill,sometimes we get called after hours during the week but if you don’t answer it’s not a big deal because someone will eventually answer and come in,we do have teams of 4-5 people that take call on the weekends,they give us 10 hours of straight time whether they call us in or not,it’s all OT if we do get called in,if I’m on call I’m required to answer and be at the mill within 90 minutes.

All our guys have my cell number. Having said that, I leave my phone on the kitchen counter from the time I walk in the door, until I leave the next morning.

DND would work if I didn't have kids. Doesn't look like alot of companies have any sort of guidance.

Call me crazy but I just think its rude to text someone when they are off about something that can wait until you are both back at work. Emergencies I totally understand.

there are federal laws that cover being called back in . if you're salary , you're screwed . i called the federal labor broad , guy told me way things were with me best thing i could was find another job .

being a maintenance man for Morrow Realty is shitttttty job .

So...
Can you not answer the text in person the next day?

God Bless,
David B.

I’m always on call. It’s a great benefit to our customers, that I’m always responsive within a reasonable period of time.


Last year, I spent 45 minutes on the phone, sitting next to a dead long beard, on a mountain top in Washington state. I killed the bird, pulled my phone out to take pictures & realized I had 5 missed calls from one job site.

I don’t actively check emails, when I’m not working. People call or text me, if it’s important.

Exactly. Sending a text or email when the thought crosses my mind, removes the burden of having to remember it later. Respond when you want, ball is in your court and out of mine.

I’ve been in a pit in Arkie and my good friend answering questions from another vet about a blue macaw being sick.

Many years ago my studio was left unlocked over a weekend and two people booked weddings in my appointment book. Left post it notes with their phone number. I was very lucky camera equipment didn’t disappear. But back then I gave the brides my cell in case they had questions. Rarely got called but it had them at ease.

If paid from the neck up, calls are expected any time. If paid from the neck down, you clock in and clock out.

thats not always true

Typical white collar frat boy boss man answer or a salesman who never went to college.