Help !

[oceangirl]

I do a lot of telephone work and use a telephone headset.  The people around me know I’m on a headset and that I am very often on the telephone, but what do you say to people who walk up to you and say “I know your on the phone but………………”  Because it’s driving me daft!  The constant interruptions mean I’m getting distracted, taking info down wrong as people are trying to talk to me and I’m listening to the person on the other end of the phone and write what they are telling me.  I sometimes leave things not quite finished off as I’ve been sidetracked and right now I just want to crawl under my desk to get on with my work in peace no telephones and no interruptions. Please tell me that someone else feels like this! And I’m that I am not alone!

Georgie Girl.

[gee4]

I work in an environment where we have a helpdesk and I frequently cannot tell when I approach someone if they are on a call.  Usually they cover the mouth piece and say they're on a call or they shake their head and continue talking.  You just have to play it by ear but personally if I was you and was on a call, I'd ignore that person, finish your call and approach them afterwards.  You cannot interrupt a call when a customer is paying for a service.

G

[spitfire78]

I think I would be inclined to look right at the person interrupting me and either silently mouth "be right with you" or hold up my index finger to ask them to wait until I'm off the phone.  It is impossible to listen to 2 people at the same time and get both conversations accurate.  By acknowledging the person who interrupted you, you let them know that you see them and will get to them as soon as you are free.  I find it very difficult to know when people are actually involved in a conversation when they are using a headset, and if I inadvertently interrupted someone I would appreciate they at least acknowledge my presence and let me know they are on the phone and that I'll be next.

[countrigal]

Definitely do something to acknowledge the person who has come to your desk and to ensure that they know you are actually on the phone.  Sometimes it's hard to tell when you use a headset.  The index finger with a bit of eye contact works well, perhaps even a small smile, to let them know you've seen them and will be right with them.  But remember that they're standing there and don't prolong your phone conversation.  The thing that irks me the most is when I come up to someone I need who's on the phone, who's motioned that they'll be with me soon and for me to wait, and then just as their conversation is concluding (you can normally tell) they decide to ask the person on the other end how the weather is, or how the family is, or some other nicety that while is good networking, is frustrating for me who's been waiting to speak to them.  When that's me, I normally tell the person, "Thanks, Jane.  I'll call sometime to catch up, but I've gotta go right now.  Take care!"  This way the person on the other end knows I'm not trying to be rude but that work is calling, and the person waiting for me isn't left hanging.

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

[msmarieh]

If it happened as often as it appears to happen to you, I would make a little sign on a handle to hold up that says, I will call you (or come see you) when I am off the phone. Thank you!

Marie

[elkiedee]

What is the purpose of your job? Are these people you are supposed to work directly for or do they have miscellaneous queries? If taking messages or dealing with things on the phone is part of your job, then you should have a chance to do that. Are the office queries things that people could give you a note or a message about and ask you to phone/message/come back to them when you have a minute?

Is there a supervisor or colleagues doing the same job you could discuss the problem with?

Luci