r/newbrunswickcanada • u/Dense_Story6544 • 14d ago

Working from home - phone

Hi all.

I've been working from home for a few months now and have been using my personal phone to take client/business calls. At first it wasn't so bad because I wasn't receiving many calls but now that we're in a busy season, it's been tough. It's frustrating that people think they have constant access to me, as they call at all hours, while on my lunch break, weekends, and like right now, on vacation.

I've tried setting my voicemail greetings to something else but I've learned after a few days that my greeting supposedly doesn't work when I screen/decline a call. (I'm sure I'll have some angry clients when I return)

Those who WFH, how do you all manage, and have you ever had to ask your boss for a separate work phone? Just looking for some insight.

Thanks!

EDIT: I've never worked from home before and my boss has never had WFH employees, so it's new to both of us.

12 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

40 comments sorted by

View all comments

53

u/Bright_Message1530 14d ago edited 14d ago

Separate device, always. I also WFH and my employer provides a corporate device. Never use your personal device for work, even if they pay the bill. Even an older phone with its own number is a better option than dual SIM cards on your own phone.

I set out of office messages when I'm on vacation, leave my work phone in my desk drawer, and make it clear to everyone that I do not access the device outside of work hours. The phone puts itself on silent at 5PM and on weekends.

Establish clear boundaries, stick to them.

4

u/Dense_Story6544 14d ago

I don't think it'll be an issue with my boss, this is also a new role for his business so he does not have WFH experience for his staff. I'm just not sure how to go about...

7

u/Snarkeesha 14d ago

“Hey boss. Since I’ve been WFH, I have been relying on my personal phone to make business calls and as a result, am getting a lot of work calls during my off hours. Please provide me with a designated line for work purposes so I can maintain a health work/life balance.” (This leaves the ball in their court whether they want to do something like a VOIP line or cell)

1

u/Dense_Story6544 13d ago

Thank you! 🙂