Do you sleep with your phone under your pillow?

Friend of mine logged off around 11pm to receive comments from a VP around 4am. The guy did not answer until 8am the next day and got properly reprimanded by the VP when he said he could not turn the comments in by 8:30. Is this normal or is the VP somewhat demented? If it is, how do you guys keep an eye out for emails while sleeping?

13 Comments
 

I'd say that's pretty abnormal. If there's absolutely nothing that I have to do / am working on, I log off at 1130-midnight. I'll have my phone by me not on silent mode in the case someone calls me, but I don't think people are expecting you to respond to emails at that time if you don't have worksteams. This is only if you're not awaiting comments though. In a situation where you have nothing to do and waiting for comments at midnight, I'd gently nudge the associate or the VP at 11 pm saying "hey I have to turn my attention to another project now, are you anticipating feedback coming in later tonight"

 

Thanks for the reply! Weird question but how do you manage picking up the phone if someone calls you when youre sleeping? Do you answer with your sleepy voice or call them back?

 

Have your phone on do not disturb, but set it to allow all calls through (not the normal multiple repeated calls) and turn the sound up. It would be insane to wake up for every email, anything truly urgent they will call you.

No one should expect comments turned at 4am if that wasn't communicated in advance, this one is on the VP

 

I have hear stories like that from friends in IB all the time during college, unfortunately most of them are not true. A lot of rumors that you hear on this site is fake, I worked at 1 of the top team that's known to be sweaty as per WSO. However, it's not that bad and everyone I have worked with are adults that understand life goes beyond work. I have worked with some crazy VPs and horrible associates, but I can tell you that communication is always key. The odds of this happening to your friend is almost 0.01% even at sweat shops.

 

had worse happen to me and analysts in my group, don't really have a reason to lie anonymously

 
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