An app that lets you pretend to receive a call when a co-worker distracts you

Re:An app that lets you pretend to receive a call when a co-... by cheriot on Monday March 06, 2017 @03:00AM (#13801350)

That's ideal and needs to be the first approach. In practice, people that communicate all day don't always understand than other jobs require uninterrupted focus. That's why engineers try things like no-meeting-wednesdays and schedule blocks for coding.

I wouldn't use the tool in question, but I relate to the motivation.

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Re:An app that lets you pretend to receive a call when a co-... by Xylakant on Monday March 06, 2017 @05:42AM (#13801840)

if you need to use this tool, the uninterrupted focus is most likely already gone, damage done. it's even likely that the person will return once your call is done to interrupt you again.

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Re:An app that lets you pretend to receive a call when a co-... by mgkimsal on Monday March 06, 2017 @06:59AM (#13802110)

or.... they'll learn that you prioritize answering calls over f2f, and they'll start calling you all the time. easier to 'avoid' to some degree, but you're just shifting the interruption.

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Re:An app that lets you pretend to receive a call when a co-... by jmkd on Monday March 06, 2017 @07:28AM (#13802237)

One thing often overlooked about work interruptions: interrupting one person's flow is usually to aid another's.

So as others have suggested the response can be prioritised according to importance and urgency.

While flow is critical for productive work, it should be directed to the highest priority tasks.

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Re:An app that lets you pretend to receive a call when a co-... by cmdrfred on Monday March 06, 2017 @09:04AM (#13802648)

In construction we have a phrase "a dime holding up a dollar". It is up to you to decide if you are a dime or a dollar in each situation.

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