Ignoring work texts

[Kaytie]

No he just choose to ignore both texts. Yes he's under no obligation but he will have a story to go along with why he didn't get it. That's all. Just frustrating you know?

Retail. We are open weekends and holidays. No one does a 9-5 shift.

He shouldn't need a story, and no co-worker has a right to be frustrated when any other co-worker does not respond to texts/calls. My phones that I pay for are for MY convenience. I answer or respond if I choose.

I know a lot of people who use an APP that reports back when a text is read.

There is such an app? What's it called? It doesn't seem like a possibility to me.

WhatsApp
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/mobile-phone/how-tell-if-someone-has-read-your-text-3605143/
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2471723,00.asp.

Because they're using a texting app that offers this feature.

Not sure what my co-workers use, but however it is done, it is a common APP. Boss uses all the time

According to this, with an Android phone, you don't even need an app. https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-know-if-someones-read-your-text-message-on-Android

No. You read this completely wrong. Completely.

If you have further questions Google "can you tell when a text message has been read" because I am not going to link all the APPS that claim they will tell you when a text has been read.

I did. I located the same article you linked. It does not state, imply, indicate, whatever that any app offers a Read notification as part of a service that is not itself.

My Android co-workers say there are a number of APPS that work with Android, . .

No. Just, no.

May I ask why you continue to insist something is true when a variety of sources show you're not?

 

[Hikergirl]

Again, I am not sure we have enough info.
Just for me... My day off is my day off... Unless it is understood that I should be more available as part of the job requirements that I have signed on to... I am not at my bosses whim on my day off.

Also, I do not appreciate anyone who thinks a 'text' requires a command performance.
I think that the 24/7 electronic 'online' social media stuff has created some unfortunate and unrealistic expectations.

What is wrong with a phone call if there really are extenuating circumstances?

I totally agree. There used to be a time, long ago LOL where if someone called you and you weren't home they left a message and you got back to them when you got home, or when you got a chance. Now since you can be in communication 24/7 with others no matter where you are there is some expectation that you must respond without delay? No sorry, my time is my time, I will get back to you when and only if I want.

 

[Wishing on a star]

AMEN!!!!!!!

 

[bookgirl]

What type of work do you do and why do you expect your employees to answer during their time off? Are they paid to be on call 24/7?

If you choose to be available 24/7, that's ok. It's your choice. But your statement above comes across, shall we say, harsh - as if your word is law and that's that.

I work in a hospital, so I actually do face life or death situations. I've always responded to those without question. It's the stupid crap and the lack of boundaries that set me off. As if I'm supposed to be at their beck and call. Um, no. If I wanted to be a VP and take on that lifestyle, I would be. I don't. I love my job and excel at it. But I have a life and my job ISN'T it.

No life or death, just books LOL I don't mean it to sound harsh but I only call if it affects their job (as in you made a mistake and I need to fix it before its a bigger mistake or I cant sign off on a time sheet). If I cant get ahold of them and they get in trouble then its on them.

My exempt staff are the same. I only call if its important and if you don't call me back then I cant fix anything.

We don't call people in to cover shifts the manager covers shifts and we don't call about little stuff like "where did you put the paper"

 

[marcyleecorgan]

I don't consider texting a professional form of communication at all. You want my personal time when I'm not in the office and not scheduled to be there? You can call me on a telephone and speak to me directly and use some of your time to do so. And you run the risk of my not answering anyway. Need me? Schedule me those hours.

It is over-reaching of management to expect any form of communication from an employee on non-work-time unless your job really does have those demands. So rude to presume the message was received, and that the employee was blowing them off, and worst, that it would be considered a bad thing that they didn't reply. I am not required to respond to anything at 5:02 pm ; no employee should have to fear their phone when they leave their workshift.

 

[Squirlz]

He shouldn't need a story, and no co-worker has a right to be frustrated when any other co-worker does not respond to texts/calls. My phones that I pay for are for MY convenience. I answer or respond if I choose.

Because they're using a texting app that offers this feature.



No. You read this completely wrong. Completely.

I did. I located the same article you linked. It does not state, imply, indicate, whatever that any app offers a Read notification as part of a service that is not itself.

No. Just, no.

May I ask why you continue to insist something is true when a variety of sources show you're not?

We have literally been asking him this question for YEARS. It's beyond bizarre at this point.

 

[ten6mom]

We voluntarily signed up to be on a "sick call" text list so that we all get the same text when last minute overtime becomes available, but we are in no way obligated to come in. If we want the hours listed in the text, we call and notify the sender that we will take it (all or part). It seems to work pretty well. Hoever, those frequently come when I am sleeping (I work nights) so I rarely respond anyway since it's hours later when I actually see it.

 

[mummabear]

This exactly. But he is nototrious for "not getting" his texts. He blames the phone all the time. We could have used the extra person. But he just blew it off

Then why was he texted in the first place?
Call him.
Texting staff to come in is pretty unprofessional an employer

 

[disneychrista]

Texting staff to come in is pretty unprofessional an employer

This is actually more common then you think. This is especially true with younger employees who only communicate via text.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

This is actually more common then you think. This is especially true with younger employees who only communicate via text.

I don't think the poster was implying it isn't used by some managers to employees. They were stating it was unprofessional. And it is unprofessional in the general sense. Doesn't really matter if some use it. I'm doubting it's in the mattress company's policy regarding communication that they will text you.

 

[tvguy]

This is actually more common then you think. This is especially true with younger employees who only communicate via text.

I agree. I work with a few who only communicate via text or e-mail on their cell phones. And they either never have set up their voice mail box, or it is full because they never check it.

 

[scrapquitler]

It's not really that complicated. He was home. Asked to come in. Ignored the question. Was asked to come in tomorrow (today) also ignored. Not on vacation.

keyword is ASKED. If it's his day off, and he's not on call, he has zero obligation to respond. Maybe he was asleep, maybe he was busy. Maybe he WAS ignoring it. So what?

 

[justussix]

I totally agree. There used to be a time, long ago LOL where if someone called you and you weren't home they left a message and you got back to them when you got home, or when you got a chance. Now since you can be in communication 24/7 with others no matter where you are there is some expectation that you must respond without delay? No sorry, my time is my time, I will get back to you when and only if I want.

There was a time before that that you had to either writer a letter or send a personal messenger.
Good thing we've advanced and can be far more efficient today.

*not really on topic per se, but just my gut reaction to "the good old days". Although it was written in 1974 (probably "the good old days" relative to today), this is a fun read:

https://www.amazon.com/Good-Old-Days-They-Terrible/dp/0394709411

I think an update would be great.

 

[sam_gordon]

FWIW, I just checked my Android using Message+ App, and I can tell a message has been delivered, but not whether it's been read.

 

[lovesmurfs]

FWIW, I just checked my Android using Message+ App, and I can tell a message has been delivered, but not whether it's been read.

I use an iPhone. If I text someone who also has an iPhone, it shows whether the text was read. When I text my daughter (who has an Android), it doesn't show anything about delivered or read, just when I sent it.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Do you? What are you're reasons if you do? Yesterday my boss and supervisor texted someone to come in and he totally ignored both. I feel like unless you are in a life or death situation you can respond.

What say you?

The best line of independence day.

What's the use of having a pager if it's always turned off?

It wasn't turned off I was just ignoring you.

 

[sam_gordon]

I use an iPhone. If I text someone who also has an iPhone, it shows whether the text was read. When I text my daughter (who has an Android), it doesn't show anything about delivered or read, just when I sent it.

I had to press and hold on the actual message and then select 'Message Info'. I don't know if that's an option for the iPhone. But, as we discussed earlier in the thread, the read receipt is generated through iMessage. So as long as both sender and receiver are using iMessage, you can get a read receipt.

 

[ashley0139]

I use an iPhone. If I text someone who also has an iPhone, it shows whether the text was read. When I text my daughter (who has an Android), it doesn't show anything about delivered or read, just when I sent it.

You can turn read receipts off. Almost every person I text has it turned off (including me).

 

[DisneyOma]

Then why was he texted in the first place?
Call him.
Texting staff to come in is pretty unprofessional an employer

I agree, it's very unprofessional. We have to call in sick, a text is not accepted. It's too easy to just text "I won't be in" and blow off a day. The secretary we are supposed to call needs to hear a voice, or it won't be a paid sick day.

This is actually more common then you think. This is especially true with younger employees who only communicate via text.

Yes, I bet they are great communicators. <Insert roll eye emoji here> Do they even speak in full sentences? Do they know how to listen? We use our phones to text to communicate at work - but only when we are looking for a certain student, etc. Conversations happen in person.

I don't think the poster was implying it isn't used by some managers to employees. They were stating it was unprofessional. And it is unprofessional in the general sense. Doesn't really matter if some use it. I'm doubting it's in the mattress company's policy regarding communication that they will text you.

Exactly - people do it, doesn't make it professional.

I agree. I work with a few who only communicate via text or e-mail on their cell phones. And they either never have set up their voice mail box, or it is full because they never check it.

Think of all the opportunities, important info they are missing out on. They have limited say in what is going on as they have limited themselves to short bursts of text. How do the emails they send come across?

 

[Fire14]

As a nurse who constantly gets texted about picking up a shift, I usually answer. But there are times I don't. If the problem is that a workplace is understaffed to begin with (and nothing is being done), then I shouldn't have to feel guilty about ignoring it.

I get Text from my Scheduler/Unit mgr at least once a day. I get so sick of telling them no I just ignore text. I'm not getting paid to be on call, There is no incentive to pick up outside of normal work pay. It gets old when you have worked 10 of last 12 days and you are on verge of wanting to strangle someone.