I'm receiving calls from work that is adding stress, while I'm busy traveling to a Trauma Hospital for my Mom. How do I tell my boss?

I am sorry I can't talk now they are just taking mom's tube out and she throwing up worst I have every seen. its green with big brown lumps and the smell............and cover the phone and make puking noises.

Pre-empt your co-worker. If your boss isn't aware of your situation, explain it to her/him and reiterate that you'll take care of your work if you have to work overtime for free or come in on the weekend. That's what I've done.

Add that you are concerned the person who called you might feel that you're taking advantage of the situation, not keeping up with your work (whatever you think might be behind the call), and reassure your boss that you're still committed to doing everything you're responsible for.

Tell your co-worker that your Mother needs your full attention while you are with her and the phone calls are distracting. Tell her not to call unless it is a true emergency. Routine office questions are not emergencies. If she persists, notify your boss and human resources and let them know she is harassing you and creating a hostile work environment. Dont forget to document your conversations with her. You could also bring her a souvenir from you trips....rubber gloves, lubricant, tongue depressors. :)

Then go to the person who called you and tell him/her you're so thankful for his/her concern during this very stressful time. You might also suggest that you and he/she discuss what other issues might come up to agree on solutions ahead of time so that he/she can continue his/her work when you need to be absent.

But make him/her feel as though you really thought the call was helpful. Then he/she might not do it again, if in fact "checking up on you" was the motive.

When you get a call and its from the co-worker, just say in a stern voice "I can't talk now, leave a message on my voice mail" and hang-up. Don't engage the co-worker in any conversation.

If you do not recognize the number do not answer. You were with mom what else could have been important?

If it is that urgent, they will leave voice mail. Or leave instruction to send a text message and you will respond when able.

Or turn off the phone, then check it hourly.

I work at a company that is very careful about these things. It's a huge liability issue for them. It could consitute harrassment, if you had requested the time off, and had received approval. Mistakes happen, sometimes not everyone is notified, and inadvertendly someone is contacted who shouldn't be. Or someone has taken time off, but forgot to tie up a loose end, and needs to be contacted for that reason.
Ask your boss to notify everyone, or send an email out letting people know you're not available due to a family situation. If this is an ongoing issue, and you have an HR department, you might want to call their attention to it -- not in a litigious, threatening way necessarily, but this is something all companies should take seriously.

Now that you have his number, save it under contacts as NITWIT..

Lori, thanks for the explanation. After reading it, I agree with the others posters. If this guy becomes a problem, let your boss and/or HR know. May as well get it in his personnel file.

Best wishes for a successful outcome at the hospital.

Lori, when he calls again, and you answer the phone, tell him simply, "I'm off now. That can wait until I get back to work. If not, then check with so-and-so (supervisor). Please stop calling me on my days off." Then hang up.

If he calls you the 2nd time, step out to the hall, and then immediately call either HR or your boss who approved your leave. Explain the situation and say that you really need to concentrate on your mom's medical needs at the HOSPITAL. And if so-and-so (another coworker) can help him (the caller) with the problem? Most employers would perk up at the word "hospital" - because that implies Seriousness. And you're on leave now. So you shouldn't be bothered unless it's an emergency.