'Respect my time off the clock': Retail worker calls out a needy colleague after they badger them with work questions while on vacation

Author image for Jesse Kessenheimer
Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Feb 19, 2025 6:00 PM EST

Time off is time OFF. This man's coworker didn't realize the importance of separation of church and state when it comes to the workplace and vacation time. Although they were happily enjoying their time away from the store, this retail worker just couldn't function without them…

One of my first jobs was in retail, tagging T-shirts, folding jeans, and watching the clock tick down until my shift was over. Anyone who's ever worked in retail can attest that it's the sort of environment that takes the soul right out of you, one that begs to be left behind for greener pastures. So when this retail worker decided to take a well-deserved vacation to clear his mind of work follies and workplace drama, he expected to feel free of the shackles of the timecards, the repetitive Pandora station, and his coworker's neediness. However, with his personal cell number distributed around the sales floor, it was going to be hard to catch a break. 

Read on for the snarky fallout when this worker draws the line, protecting their work/life balance with a dash of salt and a whole lot of sass.

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  • Cheezburger Image 10469720576
    via vkstudio

    (The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.)

    Quite frankly, this story is the exact reason that you never give your cell number to anyone at work except HR and any other necessary folks. Once you become available on your time off, people are going to start disrespecting your vacation time so they can cut corners in the workplace—but that's why this worker nipped it right in the bud. 

  • A co worker called me during my personal time off to ask me a question about a product and he knew I was on vacation and out of state..
    via Full-timeOutcast
  • I was in Seattle for a few days and I told my co worker I'd be away. But he called me WHILE I was on vacation. I ignored the call but later asked why he called. He said he was calling for help with my assigned aisle and it was
    via Full-timeOutcast
  • with my assigned aisle and it was something that I supposedly was the only one who knew about it.. I said, "Retail isn't the type of job where you go call someone for help off the clock. We don't get paid enough for that. I get that
    via Full-timeOutcast
  • you needed help, but it's not fair to call someone during their unpaid time off. And retail questions aren't urgent. ". The fact that he called me knowing we don't get paid enough to work off the clock is
    via Full-timeOutcast
  • entitled and inconsiderate. If I respect people's personal time off or lunch, I expect the same respect. But regardless of the job, you shouldn't bug people off the clock.
    via Full-timeOutcast
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    via stockpic

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • He said: Would've taken 30 seconds out your day didn't think it was a big deal, but you got it, I'll never ask you a question again I told him he can ask me questions while I am at work, but to respect my time off the clock.
    via Full-timeOutcast
  • Edit 2: I didn't pick up the phone, as I thought it was a scam call but sent a follow-up text to see what he needed. Usually I don't answer most calls.. I assumed it was urgent.
    via Full-timeOutcast
  • OryxWritesTraged... I just ignore and never bring it up. Like it never even happened.
    via OryxWritesTraged
  • Cheezburger Image 10469722112
    via Pavel Danyluk

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • MelanieDH1 I wouldn't have even bothered to ask why he called. When you're on vacation or off work, don't even entertain them.
    via MelanieDH1
  • YellowBeastJeep I mean, to be fair, unless it's specifically in your employment contact, no job is "the type of job where you go call someone for help off the clock."
    via YellowBeastJeep
  • over-it2989 If he doesn't want to ask you questions anymore then perfect! He feels like he was scolded and doesn't like that. That's on him. If a manager was unable to answer the question then it's on them to find that answer. There were other options that did not involve disturbing you.
    via over-it2989
  • firesoups FiNe IIL JUST nEvEr AsK aNyOnE aNy QuEsTiOn EVAR AGAAAAIIIINNNNNNN I have met this man so many times.
    via firesoups
  • KeepnClam I swear I'm gonna sneak my husband's phone and set Do No Disturb hours. I am f*in sick of Teams chiming in all hours. I've threatened to pick up his phone and answer: "Hey, this is The Wife. He's on My Time now."
    via KeepnClam
  • Calm_Explanation_9... I never answer calls from work on my day off.
    via Calm_Explanation_9
  • CrankyManager89 even as a manager I will ignore calls from people at work. Also why pretty well only other managers have my number.
    via CrankyManager89
  • I just had to tell someone yesterday not to bother their manager who is on vacation (staycation but still) about an issue that the rest of us could figure out in their absence. No need to bug them on their vacation. We can fix it. And we did.
    via CrankyManager89
  • DeathWalkerLives OK. I'll never ask you a question again
    via DeathWalkerLives
  • hifey2021 I had a staff member do this to another & i shut it down. It was something they could have called me or our helpdesk for but instead they ruined another's weekend but interrupting their time. I made it very clear to my team we are ALL entitled to our time off and it is to be respected.
    via hifey2021
  • Vipera_Berus1 I got called up by a colleague of mine about something work related while I was asleep. He got quite annoyed when I directed him to the right person which was our manager.
    via Vipera_Berus1
  • prosakonst We had a summer worker connecting a client directly to a night shift worker that WAS AT HOME, ASLEEP Absolute genious behaviour. Not retail, but a call center handeling insurance claims, so not really something that needs to be handled like life or death
    via prosakonst

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boss worker employee manager job retail work coworkers working ceo employees PTO supervisor workplace company coworker business vacation
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