when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

Do you actually assume she means to call that person, or do you think it's also okay to email them?

Twice in the past week, I have instructed someone who works for me to "call" someone (different person each time). I specifically said "Call X to find out ___." I meant pick up the telephone and call them.

BOTH times, this person forwarded an earlier email from me to the person to get the answer.

To me, "call X" means telephone X, not email X.

Am I the only one who sees this as important distinction? In my industry, this is an extremely important distinction because there are certain things we WANT in writing and certain things we DON'T want in writing. I will explain that when I say to call someone, I mean call not email...

But how would you interpret your boss's direction to "call" someone?

I'm not really upset - I'll clear it up with this employee... I'm just curious what others think about it.

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

It's cut & dry to me - call means call - nothing else!

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

I ususally would send an email and follow up with a phone call/vm as soon as the email is sent. Personally I want responses to questions in writing as well as over the phone.

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

I know what you mean about not documenting some things, though. I work in the legal world and there are some things that are not to be documented and when someone, especially your boss says to call, then that means by telephone and that's it - no f/up with email or anything else. I think it's a matter of doing what they asked you to do.

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

I know my boss well. When she says call, I call.. When she says email, I email...and when she says cc me, she means it.

There is no question about what she is telling me to do.

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

She means pick up the phone and call them.

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

Yes, it means "calling" not "contacting" via other ways.

I used to work in an office and one person would tell a girl to call our warehouse/vendors. The girl would always email them and not call. One time, the person asking told her flat out to call NOT email and waste several days for them to respond. But the girl kept doing it.

I find that some people are more comfortable emailing than actually talking. So they will do anything to avoid a "live" conversation.

I would take the person to the side and tell them what you meant and that she needs to not interprete other ways than what you said. I would remind her too of the importance on a legal level.

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

Call means call, just as send an email means send an email!

Every once in awhile my boss tells me to call his lawyer to tell him x. His lawyer charges a lot per hour and his minimum I think is billed at a half hour. So I always think to email him first, but I ASK, and explain my case, about the cost, and he usually agrees with me, as it doesn't cost as much and its just to relay a message.

I would NEVER send an email when instructed to call.

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

I guess it depends for me. My boss (legal flield) is very "needy." Directions, times, addresses, fax numbers, etc. Sometimes I get the "DID YOU CALL XYZ?" to which i say I sent an email...1/2 of the times its fine, 1/2 the time I get "I DIDNT SAY EMAIL....IF I MEANT EMAIL....I WOULD HAVE SAID EMAIL...." So, no..I dont automatically assume when he says call he specifically means call...

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

Call means call - and in my field there are things I don't want in email either so I get that.

However, there are times I want the contact documented (if the other side is slacking off) so I can understand someone covering their own butt as well.

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

call means CALL

Re: when your boss tells you to "call" someone...

call means call aka i need a fast reply.