Yesterday, one of the folks I manage at my full-time job got a phone call while they were in a meeting. When they didn’t pick up, the person trying to reach them waited a grand total of 15 minutes and then texted another coworker, hoping for a faster response. Fifteen minutes is barely enough time to finish proofreading a document or wrap up a call. So why do we feel pressured to jump the moment a message or call comes through?
This isn’t an isolated incident. A lot of people seem to think everyone should be reachable at all times. It’s an expectation that’s creeping into everything we do, and to be frank, it’s a pretty crappy attitude to have.
Work Should Not Be a 24/7 Hotline
In many professional settings, there’s this unspoken notion that being “on” every second proves you’re dedicated and productive. But guess what? Constant availability is a shortcut to burnout. People need breathing room — focused stretches without interruptions, breaks to recharge, and the freedom to step away from their screens without guilt.
At a previous job, a manager once insisted they needed to know where I was at all times. Pardon my French, but oh hell no. Just because I’m not posting videos about HR while in bed at night doesn’t mean I don’t care about my work. I just care about it during work hours. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t step in if something was genuinely urgent. But most things aren’t.
And this goes beyond the office. Outside of work, friends, family, and acquaintances might expect immediate replies, forgetting that you might be driving, eating dinner, or just enjoying a quiet moment.
It’s Probably Not an Emergency
I hate to break it to you, but unless we’re talking about life or death, most so-called “urgent” requests aren’t nearly as critical as you think. We’ve gotten way too comfortable slapping that label on everything. In reality, most questions can wait a few hours, or maybe even a full business day, without the world imploding.
Not thrilled with a minor detail in a project deliverable? Take a breath, think it over, and share your feedback when your contact is back online. No one should be flatlining because a font size isn’t big enough.
Boundaries are Good for Everyone
Having established working hours for checking emails and messages isn’t selfish — it’s practical and respectful. It shows that you value your well-being and want to bring your best self to the table. When colleagues, clients, and managers understand that you’re not a 24/7 customer service bot, they adjust their expectations accordingly.
The same principle applies to life. A friend texts you at 9 p.m.? If you’re tired, reading a book, or catching up on your favorite show, it’s perfectly fine to respond the next day. Giving yourself permission to unplug is crucial for maintaining balance.
There are Better Ways to Communicate
- Give It Time: Before firing off a follow-up message five minutes later, let it breathe.
- Be Polite in Reminders: If you must follow up, try a kind “Just circling back” instead of all-caps, multiple question marks, or texting someone’s boss.
- Prioritize Your Tasks: If waiting for a reply is making you antsy, direct your nervous energy elsewhere. Knock out another task, take a short walk, or just step away from your screen for a moment. (As my Gen Z comrades say, touch grass.)
Don’t Just Set Boundaries at Work
While I’m focusing on a work scenario, this mindset applies everywhere. We’re humans. We’re not meant to jump at every message. We have obligations and hobbies — and sometimes we just need to zone out and do nothing. Normalizing slower response times makes room for healthier dynamics in all areas of life.
At the end of the day, a 15-minute delay in responding to an email or returning a phone call isn’t a catastrophic event. It’s a reminder that we could all use a little more patience and a lot less panic. Give people space to work at a reasonable pace, respect their boundaries, and realize that “urgent” rarely means “right this second.” Seriously guys, it’s not that hard.