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?

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.

GardenArtist the call was very annoying and not necessary. This co-worker thinks I should put my Mom in and Nursing Home. He's very self centered and has an ageing father and talks horribly about his own father. He thinks the god's gift to the office and I try to stay away from him when I'm at work. This problem isn't going to go away, and I'm going to have to address it. Mom & I have at least 2 more travel trips to the Trauma Hospital. Right now, he's ragging about his Dad.

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.

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.

The call was on my cell phone, from a number I did not recognize. All Mom's doctors/nurses/caregivers....call me on my cell phone, so I had to answer.

Look at caller ID. Don't take the call.