Hello! My boss expects me to be available 24/7. She even calls me after 10 p.m. and on weekends, usually about unimportant things. I feel like she just likes controlling her employees and bothering us even outside of work. Maybe I should just stop answering her calls?

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  • Robert Bell

    1mo
    Best answer

    Recommend sharing parameters as one simply cannot expect 24/7 availability unless in very short term crisis mode.

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  • My boss once implored me to tow his 2001 Mitsubishi Galant with eyelashes on the headlights from Proxima Centauri to the Oort Cloud where his mechanic... was exiled to after emitting radio signals about the imperial commander’s PED use when participating in a bicentenarian pickleball league in 2380 AD. more

  • In our country it’s it’s against the law to contact an employee outside of hours

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  • please let her know your job description and let know that after work you have other job you do so if she can give briefing space you will be... happy.Be cool with her may be she is going through some problem wai. more

  • It all depends on the job you do, if it calls for 24/7 availability, that’s understandable. It’s common in companies that work 24/7, especially the... operations divisions. If it sucks, time to look for another job. more

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  • You should be polite and precise her calls is not appreciated and you would want to stick to your job description notwithstanding once in a blue moon... there could be urgency and you will be available to help but you can't be working always every time of the day  more

  • Is being “on-call” part of your job description? If not, you need to set boundaries.

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  • Is she married? If she not maybe she is just shy to tell you the Xtra service she want. Just thinking. I may be wrong

  • What you’re describing is a boundary problem, not just a scheduling problem. Constant after-hours contact — especially for non-urgent issues — can... wear people down quickly and create resentment.

    Ignoring every call immediately might feel satisfying in the moment, but it can also escalate conflict, especially if expectations were never clearly addressed. A better approach is usually to set boundaries deliberately and consistently.

    You can handle it in stages:

    Assess what is actually required
    Are you formally expected to be on call?
    Does your contract or role require after-hours availability?
    Are these genuine operational emergencies or convenience calls?
    Create a response boundary
    Instead of being permanently available, define limits:
    “I’m available until 7 p.m. for urgent matters.”
    “Weekend issues can be sent by text/email unless critical.”
    Delay instead of instantly responding
     more

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  • It seems as if she has no life outside of work. But that's not your problem to solve. So,
    Unless you work in emergency services, your written job... description requires 24 hour availability or you get paid for after hours work, stop answering the phone.
    You do not need to explain or make up lies. If you feel the need, add a text or voice response with something like: "You have reached me after hours. I will return calls when able."
    Note: if you choose this route, stick to it. Do not check the VMs until the am. Checking VMs is the same as answering. Instead use the regained time to focus on you, and your friends & family.
     more

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  • I would start by not answering at the time of the call. But return call 30-45 mins later. Apologize, by sharing you were with family or having dinner.... If an assignment is given at that time, confer you hope to be able to requested available before noon. Share you are in the middle of something and you will see them tomorrow. Keep this up for a good while and it will cease. If you like your job, some leaders do not like or know how to respond to boundaries. They take them as rejection. If the are controlling, they will try to retaliate. Be wise and sketch out gentle boundaries and or prepare to leave. If you decide to do this, leave in peace. more

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  • I don't know what country you're in, but this sounds or should be illegal. Look up local labour laws and talk to your HR department.

  • Also facing the same thing for so many years and decided to stop ,now I turned her enemy.

    I used to do overtime,close late whilst I have a baby that... she's aware of but she will say I should sacrifice without no motivation from.

    I told her that I want to have time for my baby so I cannot do it anymore.

    Now how she used to smile with with and co has stopped.

    And am enjoying my peace.

     more

  • Just organize a one on one discussion with her on matters social life. She will be able to understand that you have social commitments after work

  • Put her contact on block list whenever you leave office and remember to remove it when you're going to the office the next day. Away from that, I... guess it's out of love your boss is doing that. He/she is connected to you beyond work.  more

  • She is planing to date you

  • I did that shit for well over 14 years and so sorry I didn't stop it long before that. My boss had very clear control issues as I'm sure your boss is... displaying. Finally, 6 years ago his son took over as building manager and put an end to that which I was so grateful. Speak up or live with your stomach in knots for years to come. Good luck. more

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  • Go see "The Devil Wears Prada" original, then decide if your job is worth it!

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  • Recommend sharing parameters as one simply cannot expect 24/7 availability unless in very short term crisis mode.

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  • No ma’am I am not accepting any phone calls after I leave my job!! You should not have even have let that got started you need to put a stop to that... right now!! more

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