Hi Amanda,

I love my smart phone and I am constantly updating information on various social media sites.  But my new job has made me feel like I have to constantly be available by phone, email, text, and social media.  My boss is now emailing my personal email account with information that she believes cannot wait until the next day.  My organization believes in a strong social media presence so the Social Media Coordinator is constantly tagging the employees.  It is recommended that I comment when my employees are mentioned.  My team communicates with one another by text and I am frequently receiving texts when I’m home relaxing.  I just feel like I am always on the clock.

Is it all right to turn it all off for a while?  I need a break.  Please offer any guidance you have.

 

Angie Whitmore

 

Hi Angie,

Social media, smart phones, and email have changed the way we work.  They have made communicating and networking much easier, but they have made us feel like we need to be constantly connected.  And, unfortunately, many positions require that we be available by some means of communication at all times.

If you are going on vacation, yes, you are entitled to leave your phone at home.  You should still inform both your team and your boss that you are completely unavailable until the day you return to work.  Select one of your capable subordinates to handle all questions and concerns that you would normally manage.  And, more importantly, ask a colleague in a neighboring department to oversee yours periodically while you are away.

If you have no vacation planned any time soon, there is probably no realistic escape for you.  Start by having a conversation with your boss about her need to email you on your personal account.  She is most likely very passionate about her job and assumes that you want the information as quickly as she receives it.  Let her know that you like to have some personal time when you are home.  If you regularly check and respond to your business email account, she should be agreeable.

Depending on why you are receiving texts after work hours from your employees, you may need to set some boundaries.  If their questions can wait, and you are being inconvenienced, you have to be the one to explain what constitutes a good reason to contact you.  If you are currently enjoying open communication with your team, be very delicate when addressing this issue.  You do not want to make anyone feel that their concerns are not important.

Unless your Social Media Coordinator is working 24/7 there should not be too many instances that you have to respond outside of work hours.  If it is just interfering with your regular tasks throughout the day, perhaps each member of your department could each take a day and comment for your team on their assigned day of the week.

You may also want to refrain from constantly checking your personal email and social media while you are home.  Take an hour when you get home and check in on all of your accounts if you need to, but then disconnect.  Devote your free time to whatever is going on at home.  This may help you feel less overwhelmed as well.

 

Good luck.

 

Amanda