DH using house phone

Posted by hongkonghoney (327 days ago)

I have realised that when I am out, my DH is using my home phone to call to the home of her friends. Even though I realised this through last number redial, I would like to know the duration of the calls - can anyone tell me how I can do this? What else can I do? How do I put a block on her calls to the other house phones?
Thanks

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Posted by so be it (327 days ago)

It depends on the type of phone you have. Read the manual to find how you can allow incoming calls & not any outgoing calls. Guess you can also have a password system.
However, you should talk to your DH too about it & let her know ( if you have not already done so) that the housephone is not for her personal use. Make it very clear with her what your expectations are & what you will not allow.

Posted by Saikunga (327 days ago)

My helper used to do this and drive me crazy because whenever I wanted to call her at home it was engaged for hours and she didn't pick up on her mobile phone. This was particularly annoying when I needed to contact her urgently. I just had to tell her that she couldn't use my home phone at all and I would call and check that it was free every now and then.

Posted by fukiku (327 days ago)

My helper is such a phone addict. I caught her many times on the phone while work hours.

Posted by Peggie Wong (327 days ago)

Just to be on the safe side, why don't you apply for call-waiting system so even if she abuses her rights with long duration phone calls, you can still get through to her as she will know another call is coming through with the alert signal so no in-coming calls will be missed.

Posted by tsuiwah (327 days ago)

I don't see what the problem is. You don't want your helper using your house phone, so just tell her that. Every helper I have interviewed in the past two years hears that this is one of my house rules, and they don't object (at least not during the interview). I explain that I need to ensure that I can reach her whenever I call home. It is not unreasonable.

Posted by Ivor Biggun (326 days ago)

Why not request an Itemised Phone Bill from the Phone Company. Check any calls made to the Philipinnes or Mobile numbers that aren't known to you and deduct the cost from her salary.

Of course, warn your DH that this is to be the new standard practise from now on. I think you'll see a reduction in your phone bill!

Posted by Jules.K. (326 days ago)

Had a similar problem with my previous helper. I know local calls are free so it's not the cost that bugs me. What was really annoying was being woken up on a Sunday morning at 7.30 am with phone calls for her !! The extension is right next to my bed.....!

Also used to get frequent calls for her during the day when I was trying to work from home.

We had numerous conversations with me politely requesting that she asks her friends NOT to use the home phone number - all to no avail. In the end, I just used to put the phone down or tell them that she was no longer available on the number.

Luckily, I made it very clear early on with my new helper that the home phone was for emergencies only. So far, so good !

Posted by expat_abroad (320 days ago)

If a DH makes IDD calls without permission and runs up a bill she is legally required to pay for them. There was a recent stated case in HK where a DH was found guilty of this and received a custodial sentance as a result. Sounds harsh but true.

p.s. before I get attacked here, our DH is allowed to call her husband (at my expense) each week. I see this as a reasonable thing to do. However, if she abuses this and makes other calls I will take all action against her. She knows, accepts and appreciates this condition. She is also a very good DH!

Posted by mrsl (319 days ago)

Why not install her own phone line? We have a separate landline for our helper. She never gives our number to her family or friends. They call directly on her number. That way, she has some privacy and we are not disturbed by her calls. We only pay for the line rental, she is responsible for any long distance charges.