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Interruptions - YorkieMom
Posted: Apr 08, 2011
I was just curious as to how you handle interruptions while you are working. My friends and family cannot understand that I work on production. For example, just today, since I started my shift, I have had 9 phone calls and texts and then my mother-in-law just dropped by to visit for a while. I have tried to not be rude but I don't know what else to do. I just yelled at my husband because he called and when I answered, he said "What are you doing?" LOL (That was the 3rd time he has called in 3 hours)
I don't answer the phone and don't text. - Billie
[ In Reply To ..]I have caller ID on the biz line and only answer it if is work. I told them if I'm talking to them, I'm not getting paid and will not answer their calls during work time. If they drop by, I don't answer the door. If it my mother, she is welcome to make herself a cup of tea and sit with the cat. I had to be firm about it because many people think we're just typists. Tell them you have a quota and that if you make a mistake you'll be sued.
Billie - Old Pro
[ In Reply To ..]I agree with you. I think many transcriptionists shoot themselves in the foot by referring to themselves as "typists" and refer to what they do as "typing." No wonder they are not treated in a professional way.
Interruptions - Nina
[ In Reply To ..]Don't answer your phone. For the texts, turn your cell phone off while working. As far as mother-in-law dropping by, just say "I'm sorry, I can't visit right now because I'm working." If she gets mad, then I'm not sure what to tell you, but she should respect you enough not to bother you. I don't answer my phone and I don't answer the door either.
Set boundaries - and stick to them
[ In Reply To ..]When you are working, do not answer the phone or the door. Make it known that you will not answer the phone or the door and STICK TO IT. Let them know you really mean it by doing what you say you will do--do not answer the phone or the door when you are working.
I had to do this to get my family to understand that I was working and could not socialize or otherwise tolerate interruptions (my friends are apparently smarter--they caught on right away). One day my sisters stood on the porch and pounded on the door for half an hour before finally giving up and going shopping without me. (This after my telling them the day before that I would not go with them because I would be working).
I had to be firm and enforce my boundaries. It took awhile, but they finally got the message.
Be firm and enforce your boundaries. They will eventually get the message and respect your boundaries.
Old Pro - Setting boundaries
[ In Reply To ..]I make it clear to friends and family that my work hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. I do not answer my BB or read texts during that time, nor do I make non-business-related calls. I make it known to people that I do not accept unannounced visitors AT ANY TIME. (I find drop-in visitors to be rude, whether someone is working or not. Calling ahead is a basic courtesy that many people seem to have forgotten.) My friends and I get together on days off or outside of my work hours. You just have to be firm and consistent in setting your boundaries. YOU teach others how to treat you. Many people do not understand boundaries. I try to teach them gently what mine are.
Just to add in - MT
[ In Reply To ..]I do the same, no calls, etc. It took a long while for DH to catch on, but there is an up side to it! He knows not to disturb me at all when he sees the headphones on so when I just want some peace and quiet, ha ha, I put the headphones on...and will be just playing around or checking emails and he walks away and deals with whatever! Well trained, but it took like 6 years.
Regarding interruptions - Be honest
[ In Reply To ..]When I first started out at home I had the same problem. I explained to them if I don't work I did't make any money. Tell them you will not answer the phone and that no one is to come by during your working hours. It took a little time, but now they respect my decision. You need to be a little more focused, looking at and answering texts sounds like you are bored. Would they do that if you had a job somewhere that required you to be on site.
On the other side of the coin, I would be happy to have a husband that thinks about me and calls.
Not only that a phone with talking caller ID is a great invention.
Interruptions - Ginny
[ In Reply To ..]We just want "to be nice" but setting these boundries is a very important make-or-break situation. I've tried making my office in a closet, wearing a special hat that means "I'm working, do not interrupt" and even setting a timer when someone stands staring me in the face and giving them 2 min (and sometimes I say nicely sorrowfully "that just cost me $5). Just by quickly going back to work seems to help a lot. Also I do not check texts, emails or FB until the top of the hour. Setting the timer for 2-hour power hours helps keep me focused a too.
My own pet peeve. I have been working at - home for seven years
[ In Reply To ..]and I still can't get one of my sons to understand that he can't call and come by to chat for an hour during my shift.
Some just don't get it. They wouldn't - Billie
[ In Reply To ..]walk into a classroom and do this if you were a teacher, or anywhere else. I have one thick-headed person who calls at 8:30 a.m., before I start my day. That's because she thinks I don't "get ready for work."
I also don't want to spend my entire lunch break on the phone chatting.
I had to correct my sweet mother-in-law who thought working at home would give me more time to clean the house. I asked her how that would work and then explained to her what I actually do.
You might have to explain to your son that your job changed and you cannot talk to him during work hours any more and make time to get together with him one-on-one.
When I worked in-house, nobody would dare - stop by or call to chat
[ In Reply To ..]Even my own husband treats me differently working at home, although I work harder and am several times the transcriptionist than I was when I typed for one facility. Now he acts like I have a little job selling Tupperware or something. He lost a lot of respect just because I don't go to a big hospital and wear a badge any more I guess.
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