Calling off work via txt

[MsDisney23]

DD told me today that her boss is upset with a new employee, she called off from work last minute, but she did not call the boss, she sent her a txt. Boss is very upset with this new employee! Not very professional.

So is the new way of doing things now?

 

[lttlmc3]

Wow, that's very tacky. It's sad that now you will have to put "don't call out by text" in your employment package. Wierd.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I used to email my boss when I was going to be out. He preferred it that way. Generally though, I agree that it's tacky.

 

[Breezie]

I don't think it's the new thing, I think it's the lazy thing. I can't even fathom why an employee would think that it's okay to call off via a text. If I was calling off I would want to know (by speaking with the boss) that they knew I wasn't coming in!

ETA: I have never heard of anyone calling off via a text before this thread either.

 

[c4a]

At the company I work for-that employee would have been fired. We have a special 1-800 for call in's-records time calling in, person, reason, etc. I seldom do call in but I will also e my boss.

I just think texting is so rude, in many instances.

So, does the boss also get to pay a "text" charge? Some cell companies charge the person recieving the text, too. OOOOHHH-that would be bad.

 

[MickeySP]

Had it done here once - he no longer works here.

So nope we don't allow calling out by txt or email, just phone

 

[Danauk]

Texting the boss is her preferred way of knowing someone is calling in sick. She said she would rather get a message than a phone call when she is trying to get ready on a morning. I do work in a small place though not a huge company.

 

[Kathi OD]

While I think that there are bosses out there who would prefer a message over a phone call, I also think that most people who do this just don't want to "face" the boss and the potential aggravation that sometimes comes with calling out.

 

[VickiVM]

Does the ee receive cell service from her employer? For some companies, texting/emails is the preferred method of communicating - especially if the employee works in "the field" so to speak.

 

[MainStMandy]

I had an employee do that to me once...we were friends and she thought it was appropriate. Needless to say not only was she written up but eventually terminated for job abandonment.

I hear they are offering college classes on communication because so many teens are used to communicating via text that they have trouble any other way!

 

[koolaidmoms]

I hear they are offering college classes on communication because so many teens are used to communicating via text that they have trouble any other way!

I believe it! I work for a small company and the things you have to tell new hires is amazing.

Please do not pull your cell phone out during a meeting to read your text messages or send a message. Wait until the meeting is over.

Please turn off your cell phone before a meeting starts. If you forget and your cell phone rings during a meeting please quickly answer it and exit the room immediately. No one wants to hear your cell phone ring the latest rap song for 2 minutes.

Internet surfing should be limited to lunch times, break times and short breaks in between. Your job is not finding a date or keeping up with your buddies but actually working for this company. Being on your personal account for 8 hours seriously inhibites your work time and you will be terminated.

Yes, actual conversations we have had to have.

 

[Disney Ella]

I had an employee do that to me once...we were friends and she thought it was appropriate. Needless to say not only was she written up but eventually terminated for job abandonment.

If she was your friend, or even if she wasn't, why didn't you just tell her that she needed to call rather than text next time. Why the need to write someone up?

 

[MainStMandy]

If she was your friend, or even if she wasn't, why didn't you just tell her that she needed to call rather than text next time. Why the need to write someone up?

Because at the time her lack of respect for me was causing problems not only in our friendship but with my reputation at work because I referred her. I needed to do my job and unfortunatley it didn't matter that we were friends. We are no longer friends due to the decisions she was making in her life.

Not that it pertains to this discussion.

 

[Anewman]

My wife has recieved a text in the middle of night from an employee calling in sick, but that employee also called in the AM.

When you dont want to disturb the boss and want to be on record as giving the required time in advance I do not see it as a bad thing, but a follow up phone call makes it official.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I've called out via text... after I tried calling and couldn't get anyone on the phone. I sent a text to one of my co-workers who relayed the message. The place I work is very very unique though, I couldn't imagine doing that anywhere else.

 

[genius118899]

I'm in a Navy ROTC unit, and my squad leader prefers texts when possible. Granted, this is a college setting, but in most aspects we try to be like the real military. This is just a convenience thing- if PT is canceled, she can text everyone in our squad at once, instead of making 8 phone calls or delegating.

 

[Talking Hands]

Texting or email can be very useful for deaf employees especially if the business doesn't have videophone or tdd available for them to call in. It is less frustrating that a relay call. For hearing people, if the phone is the preferred method then that is what should be done.
I know our school has 2 teachers and a counselor who are deaf and they email the office if they will be absent. I don't think anyone in the office has a phone they could text to.

 

[MrsToad]

I hope this doesn't offend, as it isn't meant to: I think that the current "younger" generation has grown up with so many new gadgets and ways of staying in touch that there seems to sometimes be a disconnect in how the gadget v. pre-gadget generations interact. Some, not all, kids and young adults seem not to have had lessons in acceptable communication techniques (verbal and non-verbal) when communicating with older adults or in the business world.

I often think that some schools do a poor job of teaching life skills, such as how to balance a checkbook, compare prices in a grocery store, apply for a car loan, present themselves in an interview, and understand basic office behavior skills that are required to succeed. I think these things combined can contribute to the types of issues noted in this thread.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I have to agree with a PP, the younger generation that are now coming out of college and starting in the workforce are used to communicating via text message.

That to them is normal.

A company that I worked for earlier this year was very into the Text message. It was very odd to me, but if I did have to call out or if I was running late due to traffic, I would try to call them but they never picked up so I had to text and then I got a response and this was to a 29 year old woman who was my boss.

They were very "high tech" and were attached to their laptops and couldn't beleive that I didn't own one. My boss said that she doesn't even watch TV or answer her phone when she goes home. She logs onto her laptop and that is how she communicates. To me that is very sad and I fear this will continue.

 

[Stacerita]

UGH! Txting a call out for work? Thats terrible. We have a rule here that you have to speak with your manager/supervisor if you are going to be out. You can't just leave a voice mail or tell another. You can call and leave a voicemail or tell another that you won't be in, but you still need to call back and speak to the manager.