Would love to hear more about ring central. Have a link ?
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Communication with Subs: After hour calls & texts
I run carpentry sub crews.
Regarding sub communication (not employees). And assuming your type of work truly is not emergent-generating that could cause monetary disasters for the client (i.e. leaking plumbing, no heat in the winter, etc.).
GCs, what is your system for communication with subs after hours?
Subs, what do you prefer?
For my clients, I have a business work line through RingCentral... ALL client calls and texts will only ring my cell phone M-F during business hours.
But my subs have my direct personal cell phone number. From my subs, I get 6pm, 8pm, 10pm, Sunday morning, etc. texts and calls like "what's the plan for X", or "I need a draw asap", or "I'm mad at you for Y". Subs should enjoy their time off, just as much I try to (seems I'm always working though). But getting these types of calls or texts in late evenings totally derails any attempt of family time I have.
I'm considering giving my subs my business work number, not my personal cell. And forwarding calls & texts from my subs to my personal cell phone, something like only Monday through Friday 7am to 5pm, and Saturdays 9am to 12pm noon.
Thoughts?
Regarding sub communication (not employees). And assuming your type of work truly is not emergent-generating that could cause monetary disasters for the client (i.e. leaking plumbing, no heat in the winter, etc.).
GCs, what is your system for communication with subs after hours?
Subs, what do you prefer?
For my clients, I have a business work line through RingCentral... ALL client calls and texts will only ring my cell phone M-F during business hours.
But my subs have my direct personal cell phone number. From my subs, I get 6pm, 8pm, 10pm, Sunday morning, etc. texts and calls like "what's the plan for X", or "I need a draw asap", or "I'm mad at you for Y". Subs should enjoy their time off, just as much I try to (seems I'm always working though). But getting these types of calls or texts in late evenings totally derails any attempt of family time I have.
I'm considering giving my subs my business work number, not my personal cell. And forwarding calls & texts from my subs to my personal cell phone, something like only Monday through Friday 7am to 5pm, and Saturdays 9am to 12pm noon.
Thoughts?
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
I just respond during business hours. And tell them to do the same.
Guilty of receiving and answering texts all hours, all days. Keep telling myself I’m gonna change my ways. Many use me besides if the fact that I’m so easily accessible. Too set in my ways I guess. Maybe this is the year lol.
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https://www.ringcentral.com/office/plansandpricing.htmlWould love to hear more about ring central. Have a link ?
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All calls and texts (including after hours) gets emailed to you as a copy. I love not having my phone ring at night with angry customers.
https://www.ringcentral.com/office/plansandpricing.html
All calls and texts (including after hours) gets emailed to you as a copy. I love not having my phone ring at night with angry customers.
Which plan
Do you have ?
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StandardWhich plan
Do you have ?
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Texts are best for me, gives me a record to reference, and I don't have to rush to answer the phone if I'm doing something else or sleeping.
I just respond during business hours. And tell them to do the same.
I’m generally the same.
Not every text needs an immediate response.
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Outside of any actual emergency, I'm good with texts from either side of the paycheck.
Like email, they can be responded to (or not) at my convenience. They're not particularly intrusive during family time--my choice as to whether I want to look at them right now.
Phone calls should be during work hours.
Like email, they can be responded to (or not) at my convenience. They're not particularly intrusive during family time--my choice as to whether I want to look at them right now.
Phone calls should be during work hours.
Why you have angry customers?https://www.ringcentral.com/office/plansandpricing.html
All calls and texts (including after hours) gets emailed to you as a copy. I love not having my phone ring at night with angry customers.
I don't mind texts up till about 9:00 pm, then it's bed time. I do like to be in communications with subs when it's necessary. Not a big deal.
I'm guilty of sending texts and emails at 5 am. Don't expect a reply until normal business hours.
Most times they are in response to something sent to me late the day before.
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Most times they are in response to something sent to me late the day before.
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I answer all calls and text providing I'm awake. Don't care when it is. If a sub calls me they need to.
Mike.
_______________
Mike.
_______________
Ah, work life balance though. For both GC and sub.
As a GC, I should NOT be texting or calling my subs on Sunday, at 6pm, etc. The only reason I sometimes do? So I don't forget. It's on the top of MY mind. It's very unprofessional.
I can't think of a reason why a sub shouldn't be enjoying their time off, just the same. If something does come up, it could have usually (always?) waited until normal business hours.
I'm open for discussion, what are some examples (again, non-emergent businesses) of a sub needing to reach you at 8pm for legitimate reasons, that couldn't have waited until 7am the next day?
As a GC, I should NOT be texting or calling my subs on Sunday, at 6pm, etc. The only reason I sometimes do? So I don't forget. It's on the top of MY mind. It's very unprofessional.
I can't think of a reason why a sub shouldn't be enjoying their time off, just the same. If something does come up, it could have usually (always?) waited until normal business hours.
I'm open for discussion, what are some examples (again, non-emergent businesses) of a sub needing to reach you at 8pm for legitimate reasons, that couldn't have waited until 7am the next day?
not all jobs run on the monday-friday, 7-5 clock....
i've been involved in a few that ran 24/7....
in those instances you take calls WHENEVER they come in...
i've been involved in a few that ran 24/7....
in those instances you take calls WHENEVER they come in...
Not uncommon for me and or a sub to text the evening before a work day as a final confirmation.
I do not have rules about subs and calls except one big one: If I call, or text, then I am not calling to talk about a football game, or what I am watching on TV, or BS about anything...I am contacting you for a reason, and it is always job related. Therefore, answer ASAP. And I never abuse my own rule.I answer all calls and text providing I'm awake. Don't care when it is. If a sub calls me they need to.
Mike.
_______________
I don't worry about set hours, but I generally will not take calls after I get home. If they leave a message, and it is important, then I return calls immediately.
Being a GC isn't always about convenience.
Agreed, for 24/7 jobs that's what a GC and sub signed up (and both should be compensated as such).not all jobs run on the monday-friday, 7-5 clock....
i've been involved in a few that ran 24/7....
in those instances you take calls WHENEVER they come in...
I'm talking e.g. carpentry that's typically monday-friday 9am to 5pm type of thing, with the occasional saturday and rare sunday (only if the sub wants).
Anything that comes up at night can be discussed in the morning. If the sub decides to work late in the day, that's great, but the GC may not be available.
I’m an offender of the late text. Usually it’s something that came up on the job that I don’t want to forget to pass along. For example the last bathroom I did when I went to use the outside taps they wouldn’t fully shut off. Sent me plumber a picture of the taps and asked him to pick up parts on how was up the next morning. Didn’t expect a reply and didn’t get one till 6:30 the next morning.
Perfect example. I do this too. Still do. But a great example of something that could have waited. We don't know how the plumber reacted if he saw that late at night. I can share from my experiences, if I as a GC get a text late at night "I need another box of tiles" or whatever... it causes me at least some anxiety. If I'm in dinner mode or family mode, I want to be fully vested in to what I'm doing. I'll take care of the sub and the need no problem, but during work hours. And I wouldn't expect the sub to be working from home either, just because I am.I’m an offender of the late text. Usually it’s something that came up on the job that I don’t want to forget to pass along. For example the last bathroom I did when I went to use the outside taps they wouldn’t fully shut off. Sent me plumber a picture of the taps and asked him to pick up parts on how was up the next morning. Didn’t expect a reply and didn’t get one till 6:30 the next morning.
And for that reason, I'm considering configuring my phone to block calls and texts after hours.
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