I want to maintain a work-life balance

Q My boss has asked me to put my mobile phone number on my emails, as we’re working from home and my landline is often busy, as there are three of us living here. I struggle to keep my work and life separate as it is. Is it reasonable to say no? Eve, Durham

A Of course, it’s your personal phone. If your boss wants you to be available, which is understandable, he or she will need to provide you with a work mobile that you only use for business calls. This number would not be known by your friends and family, and paid for by the company. At the end of a working day, you can turn it off and put it in a drawer, and then turn it on the next morning when you start work. This way, you will keep things separate and all your calls will be answered in a timely manner.