Is it appropriate for work to call during a week off asking you to come in?

Jono8 said:
You arent at work. That doesnt mean your work can't try and contact you :confused:
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The OP stated this is shift work. It's highly likely that his employer considers their commitment to him ends as soon as the shift finishes, so it's only fair to reciprocate that attitude.

If I was enjoying my time off and got calls from my employer implying that the right thing to do would be to come in, or asking me to provide some input on a project they are discussing then either they agree to an obscene overtime rate as well as giving my holiday back, or they can do one. I'm not sure where this feeling that it's noble to let your employer treat you like dirt came from.

To clarify, this isn't some guy not showing up one day and their manager panicking because it's left them short-staffed. This is leave that has been booked in advance and presumably known about to whoever needs to ensure that a particular shift has adequate numbers of people on it. Their failure to do their job shouldn't ever become the problem of one of those shift workers. If they are desperate then they can pick the phone up to whichever agency they normally use to cover shifts.

I'm sorry about the relationship you have with your employer. It might be the industry that I am in, but I don't get phone calls on my days off. I get emails that receive an OOO response and I may or may not read them before I am back at work, but there is no pressure to do so.
 
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My work do this all the time.

This week I was asked at short notice to switch 3 day shifts (35hrs) for 3 night shifts (36hrs) that would run into my own 4 night shifts. In return they would pay me for the 1hr extra, jokers.
 
OP do you work for NHS per chance?

My wife's a nurse and on numerous occasions when she's been on annual leave (including our honeymoon) they've phoned her asking her if she could come in. Personally I think it's ridiculous and shows complete mismanagement and I agree with you when they ask this sort of thing it makes you feel guilty for 'letting them down.'

Generally though, I would say if something is an absolute emergency (and a one off) I think it's ok for an employer to politely ask IF they know you're off but not abroad.

Usually at my work on the day before I go away I mention to the commercial manager if there's anything you desperately need to ask me, feel free to give me a call and I can help over the phone.
 
Caged said:
The OP stated this is shift work. It's highly likely that his employer considers their commitment to him ends as soon as the shift finishes, so it's only fair to reciprocate that attitude.

If I was enjoying my time off and got calls from my employer implying that the right thing to do would be to come in, or asking me to provide some input on a project they are discussing then either they agree to an obscene overtime rate as well as giving my holiday back, or they can do one. I'm not sure where this feeling that it's noble to let your employer treat you like dirt came from.

To clarify, this isn't some guy not showing up one day and their manager panicking because it's left them short-staffed. This is leave that has been booked in advance and presumably known about to whoever needs to ensure that a particular shift has adequate numbers of people on it. Their failure to do their job shouldn't ever become the problem of one of those shift workers. If they are desperate then they can pick the phone up to whichever agency they normally use to cover shifts.
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But who is saying it is the OP's problem? It doesnt sound like his manager said the reason they were short staffed is his fault..

All we have is that they called him and said "can you come in at all by chance as we are short staffed?"

If they genuinally put it on thick and gave him a massive guilt trip and tried to persuade him to come in then yes that is out of order but that doesnt sound like what has happened.
 
Jono8 said:
But who is saying it is the OP's problem? It doesnt sound like his manager said the reason they were short staffed is his fault..
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It's a conclusion I drew from the claims of being guilt tripped over it. It might be incorrect but it's all I had to go on.
 
Jono8 said:
God you must all really hate your places of work :p
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A mutual understanding of each other's contributions to the employer/employee relationship and both sides acting like professionals does tend to create a good working environment.
 
Jono8 said:
If they genuinally put it on thick and gave him a massive guilt trip and tried to persuade him to come in then yes that is out of order but that doesnt sound like what has happened.
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I've stated numerous times that this is what happened.
 
Unless you specifically tell managers they can contact you while on annual leave, no, it is not appropriate in my opinion.
 
Jono8 said:
God you must all really hate your places of work :p
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this, don't see the issue really - if you're on a foreign holiday you'll probably ignore any calls/e-mails you get anyway(IME they'll likely know you're overseas and won't try in the first place) On the other hand if you just took an odd few days off to do a bit of DIY which could easily be done the week after then I don't see the issue, bit of flexibility to help out the team etc... and you book days off the next week instead. Of even just log in and work from home for that day then book an alternate day off later.

seems like some people have a very strict clock on/clock off mentality which would tend to be more common if you're not so keen on your job or have a paid by the hour role
 
I may have missed what industry you work in, OP, but fundamentally I am totally against being contacted in your holiday time/day's off unless it is specifically in your contact and you are receiving generous remuneration for being called in.

Most of us don't live to work and very much enjoy leaving our jobs at the door when we finish work.

IMO I'd go as far to say it's pretty rude/disrespectful to contact someone on their holiday asking you to go in.
 
To be fair there is only so much planning a department/business can actually do, so to tar it as 'lack of planning' isn't necessarily the case.

For all we know the op works in a team of 5 and the other 4 members of staff have come down with gout. Yes any business worth its weight will have a disaster recovery plan, however that plan may include politely asking staff which are on holiday if they can change their plans. Providing it is done politely and they accept your answer should it be no then I don't see the problem.

If any of my team put the phone down on me or got all funny for me calling, then I would be less inclined to assist when they themselves needed help.

Assuming both parties are adults it's all about give and take. I may contact you if I'm in a bind, but equally I will also help out when people need to take emergency days off at short notice even if that leaves the rest of the team a bit short. Individuals who want to take but never give can do one as far as I'm concerned.
 
I was called at 14:30 to cover a 14:00 - 22:00 shift, and as for give and take, it's all take there, no give whatsoever which is why they are having staffing issues currently as people are leaving due to be treated badly, thankfully I am only part time.
 
chaparral said:
Funny someone started this thread..

Today was my Saturday off and my work phoned me at 7.20am this morning to ask me if I was coming in or not...

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It took you 1 minute and 16secs to say "**** off" and hang up!? :p

Also I like my job, but funnily enough I like my time off better.
 
I was called a few years back whilst on holiday to see if I could cover a shift, I said sure so long as they paid for my flight back to the UK and the one taking me back to Spain again... :D
 
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