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Most Tech Workers Would Ignore a Call From Their Boss Outside Work Hours (zdnet.com)

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the tough-luck dept.

In this age of instant communication, there is pressure on employees to be "switched on" all hours of the day. But do we really have the mental attitude to totally disconnect from work? From a report: A new study by UK-based HandsetExpert has revealed that almost two out of three tech workers would ignore an out-of-hours call from the boss. It surveyed 1,850 mobile device users in the UK to find out how we deal with the pressures of being an "always-on" society. This number might be the roll-up of various reasons -- from being on the toilet, in the bath, or in other compromising situations. The survey showed different behaviours from different job roles. Healthcare professionals seem to be most connected to their place of work. They were the least likely to cancel any calls from their boss, with only 42.5 percent stating they would not pick up the call. At the other end of the scale, real estate agents -- who already work some of the longest hours in the industry -- are least likely to respond. Almost three out of four workers (72.6 percent) in that industry sector would not respond to calls from their boss.

7 of 184 comments (clear)

  1. pfft. by grub · · Score: 5, Funny

    I ignore calls from my boss during work hours.

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    Trolling is a art,
  2. I would pick up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I know my boss respects my private life and work balance, so if he's calling me then it must be something dire.

    1. Re:I would pick up by Jhon · · Score: 5, Interesting

      "I know my boss respects my private life and work balance, so if he's calling me then it must be something dire"

      This.

      If it's important, I get an email. If it's VERY important I get a "HIGH IMPORTANCE" flagged email. If it's something really REALLY important (like needs to be fixed/addressed NOW rather than Monday or next morning I get a phone call. Then usually comp time in the very near future.

  3. I Answer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Half the time it's because he wants to hang out and have a beer.

  4. Re:on call? by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 5, Insightful

    When I was a steelworker (USWA) I got paid triple time if called in during holidays and vacations, and double time if called in during time off. If I was on call, I got paid 50 percent during that time period.

    If you want us there, pay us.

    Simple.

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    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  5. Re:This is obvious by youngone · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Try doing that when working for Steve Jobs at apple, you will be fired.

    Fortunately for me, I live in a country where everyone has rights, not just the extremely wealthy, so if my boss sacked me because I went home when he stopped paying me, it would cost him a lot of money.
    I am also not prepared to act like some sort of servile lackey.

  6. Re:This is obvious by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 5, Insightful

    what does living in the country with the highest GDP give the average American? bragging rights over the French, Germans, or Aussies? a shorter life expectancy due to stress? what's the advantage other than a nice number?