Hello from India

Dear Diary,

Regarding my Twitter message yesterday.

Here's what started all of this.  An e-mail from the CEO to all employees.

It has come to my attention that many people are not answering phone calls.  Instead phone calls are being answered via voicemail.  Even though [...BEEP...] has a robust voicemail system, it is only to be used after business hours.  During business hours, all phone calls must be answered by an employee.  Accordingly, if you are going to be away from your desk, it is necessary that you notify someone in your office and ensure that your phone calls will be answered in your absence.

When I first read this I was not too concerned.  I thought for sure he was talking mostly to those that deal with customers or vendors.  A few days later, our COO tried to reach somebody in our group and couldn't.  So he starts going off about the CEO's e-mail and why aren't you fixing this, type of rant.

Then yesterday, we had a department meeting about how when you leave your desk you have to tell someone so they can pick up your phone.  And in order for someone else to hear your phone ring, you have to turn up the ringer volume to ear-shattering levels.

We had this meeting around 10:45 AM.  At 11:30 AM I went to lunch.  I came back and the guys in the department had gotten an e-mail from the ladies saying why haven't you fixed your phone so we can hear it?  My response?  1) This is the stupidest thing I've heard of, 2) I didn't realize that I had to figure out how to work my phone before I do anything else, 3) We're not a call center stationed in India.

I don't like this, but I guess I have to do it even though it doesn't make sense.

[ring... ring.... ring...]

Sorry Diary, I gotta get this.  "CHESTer's" phone is ringing.  "Hello?"  "Hi, no he's not hear right now.  He had to go poop.  Sorry I wish I could help you but I don't have access to his work.  Can I take a message?"  "No?"  "I could transfer you to his voicemail."  "No problem, have a nice day."

Thanks for waiting Diary.  Yeah, I don't get it.  How is me answering the phone and then sending the person to voicemail any different than just letting voicemail get it in the first place?

I need a Slurpee.

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