Graham swapped jobs with his receptionist for Friday afternoon.
He said she could make all the usual decisions while he answered the phones.
By two o’clock, the rest of the staff had gone home.
Graham asked whether he could leave early too.
His receptionist picked up his request form….
Graham said the office would run better if everybody understood each other’s work.
Beth, the receptionist, said she would be delighted to help him understand hers.
He suggested swapping jobs for Friday afternoon.
She asked whether he meant sitting in each other’s chairs or actually doing each other’s jobs.
Graham said he wasn’t afraid of a telephone.
Beth said that answered only half the question.
They agreed that she would deal with the ordinary office decisions. Graham would answer calls, greet visitors and keep reception open until five.
No special rules, he said. Do exactly what I would do.
Beth asked him to put that in an email.
He laughed, then sent it.
At twelve, she showed him the phone buttons. Green meant answer. Red meant a caller was waiting.
What if they both light up?
That means it’s Friday, she said.
She showed him the visitors’ book and the parcel shelf. Then she took her tea into his office.
Graham settled into her chair.
It was lower than his. He spent several minutes looking for the lever while a caller listened to him breathe.
At one, Paul from accounts came to Beth with a half-day request.
Graham had been holding it for a week. Paul had already finished the work due that afternoon, but somebody had to be available to answer calls.
Beth looked through the glass at Graham.
She approved it.
Paul said he could hardly believe it.
Beth reminded him to sign out.
Next came Nina. She had two hours of leave left and a train to catch.
Her work was finished too.
Beth checked the cover and signed the form.
Graham waved as Nina went past. He thought she was going to lunch.
By half past one, three more people had visited his office.
One left carrying a gym bag. Another had a suitcase.
Graham began to suspect they weren’t all collecting sandwiches.
He rang his own extension.
Beth answered on the first ring.
Where is everybody going?
Home. You’ve got a very efficient staff.
I know that. Why today?
Their work’s finished and we’ve got cover.
Graham looked at the red light on his phone.
He said he would call her back.
At two, the office was quiet apart from reception.
A man delivered a parcel. While Graham took another call, the man came back with a second parcel he’d forgotten in the van.
Beth brought out his tea.
He said he had quite enjoyed the experiment, but perhaps they could finish a little early. There was no point both of them staying.
Beth said she still had his weekly report to finish.
Graham fetched a half-day form.
She read it carefully.
You know the rule, she said.
My work’s finished.
That wasn’t enough for the others.
Graham looked at the empty desks.
Why can’t I go?
No cover.
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