Methods and apparatus are provided for processing “on hold” commands in a call center. A communication dialog is processed by storing a checkpoint containing a context of the communication; monitoring the communication dialog for an “on-hold” condition; and suspending the communication dialog when the “on-hold” condition is detected The “on-hold” condition can be detected by monitoring telephony signaling. The communication dialog can optionally be returned to a restart point, such as a checkpoint, when the “on-hold” condition is detected. The communication dialog can be monitored for an “off-hold” condition and restarted from a checkpoint when the “off-hold” condition is detected. A resume context message can optionally be provided to the caller when the “off-hold” condition is detected.