If you are an office receptionist

[Minimor]

When you want to take a personal phone call? Do you:

a. take the call at your desk, but make sure you talk quietly and make it brief?

b. transfer the call to another phone in a different room, away from the public eye?

c. take the call at your desk, but instead of staying at your desk you crawl under your desk & sit there and talk??

 

[Miniv]

I've been a receptionist with two different companies, although many years ago.

Depending on the type of office and the layout, I'd say either "A" or "B". Either way, the call should be kept brief.

Obviously "C" is a big no-no.

 

[Minimor]

MA I totally agree with you. I wouldn't even have considered c as an option--wouldn't even have thought of it, except that one day week before last I walked into a business office & saw the receptionist sitting under the desk, talking on the phone. She was talking loud enough that everyone in the office could hear it was a personal call. Another of the employees, the one that came to wait on me, looked a little uncomfortable.

It just seemed like the oddest thing. I'd love to know why this person was bothering to sit under the desk when she wasn't hidden in any way. I'll never know, as this isn't a business I have any reason to return to and I don't know anyone who works there. I didn't feel I should ask what this person was doing under there!!

 

[Jill]

My assistants are, among other things, receptionists for my office. I have no problem with them taking personal phone calls, but in general, I do need them at their desks in case clients or delivery people walk in and in case the other telephone lines ring. I'm going to guess what should be done regarding personal phone calls would be what the office or boss' policy says is to happen.