Employeer wants to take our cell phones away

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Originally Posted by Ranegyr

we cant take shampoo on an airplane, that is stupid. ... arrest the person who is sneaking anthrax on a plane, but leave my Herbal Essence alone.

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They were already arresting the people who tried to sneak antrax on to planes. The limit on bottle size was in direct response to a tactic that was attempted to subvert the existing security by sneaking component chemicals that were not by themselves dangerous onto planes in sufficient amounts, where they could be combined into a weaponized form.

In other words, you can't take your shampoo bottle into the cabin of a plane because someone figured out how to use shampoo bottles to blow planes up...not because they didn't want people washing their hair in airplane lavatories.

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Originally Posted by ctrlfreq

They were already arresting the people who tried to sneak antrax on to planes. The limit on bottle size was in direct response to a tactic that was attempted to subvert the existing security by sneaking component chemicals that were not by themselves dangerous onto planes in sufficient amounts, where they could be combined into a weaponized form.

In other words, you can't take your shampoo bottle into the cabin of a plane because someone figured out how to use shampoo bottles to blow planes up...not because they didn't want people washing their hair in airplane lavatories.

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Actually, the explosive that the authorities claimed the terrorist insergents brought on the plane in liquid form would have taken more than a day to safely dry out to the point of it becoming a weapon. The explosive in crystaline form is a highly unstable high explosive that's kept in suspension to keep it stable and harmless. There's no way it could have been turned into a weapon during the duration of the flight. Also, and I don't know this as fact, but I read that several of the terrorists that were supposedly on that flight that were thrawted, were never on the flight, never had tickets for the flight, and didn't even own passports. It appears that the entire situation was a made up scare tactic. It's possible that someone got some on a plane, but the plans for it would not have been to blow up the plane.

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Originally Posted by PythonWallace

It appears that the entire situation was a made up scare tactic.

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Somehow that wouldn't surprise me in the least - however I think the point stands that the motivation behind the ban wasn't due to someone using the product irresponsibly ;)

Word. The point stands.

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Originally Posted by Ranegyr

1. it's pure unamerican
2. i have a kid at home (i know they can call work in emergency)
3. my personal phone has personal pictures and personal notes i have written to myself. i don't trust they someone won't snoop.
4. they are punishing everyone because they don't want to deal with the individual problem.
5. i'll be forced to leave my phone in the car while at work. it's florida and it's really hot outside. or i can just leave it at home and drive to and from work without one. what if i get into an accident or have an emergency?
6. they fired a disgruntled guy almost a year ago. i want my phone in case he shows up with a gun.
7. crap like this happens all the time and things get dealt with my mgt on a mood basis. someone is in the mood to be a poo poo head so we suffer.
8. it's a very laid back office usually. i can spend up to 3 hours on the net and no one cares. i don't smoke but others take 15 smoke breaks at 15 min a peice and no one cares. i can take 20 minutes to chat and get a cup of coffee each time i go for coffee and no one cares. but someone was in a bad mood yesterday and saw a guy on a forklift on his cell and now wants to play Office Hitler.

So i guess i am stuck only being able to be on b.net, aim, yahoo, google, and youtube while i am at work. this is gonna suck.

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1) What is American is the fact that YOU can run YOUR business like YOU want.

2)You said it! They can call you at work.

3) Most modern cell phones have a locking capability.

4)I own a business and I don't have a policy against cell phone use, but I do not allow my employees to sit on the clock on the phone on my dime. They are there because of my grace. I have fired people for less and I did their job until I found a replacement.

5) I answered this with 3

6)He was fired a year ago if he was going to come back then he would have. Plus you live in Florida get a CHL (concealed handgun license)

7) I have been in a bad mood. My employees stay the heck out of my way when I am in a bad mood. Heck some times I pretend to be in a bad mood because I can get more done that way.

8) Count your blessings I would shoot some one if I found them messing around on the clock, when there is work to be done.

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Originally Posted by Ranegyr

He said, and i quote with anger "IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO IT MY WAY, GOOD LUCK FINDING ANOTHER JOB NOW. I'VE GOT PEOPLE LINED UP."

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I used to work a production job where the pep talk every morning was "there are 100 people outside that gate that want your job, I would like the opportunity to give it to them"

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Originally Posted by Ranegyr

thats my problem with the whole thing. Why cant be be more responsible. Instead of treating us like adults and telling us to act like them. they decide to take our phones away. it's far easier to outlaw something that to regulate it. and what regulation is necessary. if someone cant follow directions and you catch them on the cell, send the home. they dont listen.

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When you are in charge of people who generally act like children that is how you treat them all. It is just easier that way.

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Originally Posted by ctrlfreq

Yes, but that problem is easily resolved for the employer by having policies based on job descriptions, making the point moot - it's entirely legal to create policies that result in taking phones away from customer service representatives, but not say, the warehouse staff, and since it's immediately effective as company policy, employees can either conform or be released.

That said, my view is extremely jaded by the fact that Texas (where I live and work) is an at-will state, meaning employers have a lot more latitude (legally speaking) in which to operate, and there is no mandate for them to provide explanation for firing you beyond the fact they no longer want you working there. YMMV of course depending on state and local ordinances.

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Spoken like my wife. Who is a human resources specialist.

My business is in Tx. I would not want to work any where else.

Now don't get me wrong I am not a dictator but I can behave like one when I need to.

Mike

i find it funny how so many people think of cell phones like a life line!! they are a pretty new technology.....its a wonder we made it as humans for thousands of years without them!!

it makes me even madder that now our tax dollars are going to buying phones for people who can't afford them. now if you are on welfare, you can get a free phone with free minutes. im not saying there is anything worng with welfare....some people actually need it but come on!!!

you can live without a cell phone and you don't need one while you are at work.

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Originally Posted by Ranegyr

8. it's a very laid back office usually. i can spend up to 3 hours on the net and no one cares. i don't smoke but others take 15 smoke breaks at 15 min a peice and no one cares. i can take 20 minutes to chat and get a cup of coffee each time i go for coffee and no one cares. but someone was in a bad mood yesterday and saw a guy on a forklift on his cell and now wants to play Office Hitler.

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So let me be sure I have this right...
Everyone is goofing off already.. on company time.. or in other words stealing from mom-and-pop by not working when they are being paid....
and you believe you have the ingrained right to have a toy to continue to goof off MORE?
I'd say the boss has been darned leniant, and should crack down on all of it. The attitude today of "I am entitled to a paycheck" regardless of whether you are putting a proper amount of efort into doing the job seems to be more common now than ever before.
You are not entitled to a job, much less entitled to screw around while getting paid to do a job. The American way USED to be that you worked hard for your company, because you were grateful they hired you, and you wanted the business to succeed.
Both times that this business said "no cell phones" I quite happily put mine away. I can always make that call/text after work, or during my rare break. And this is at a job where I am a sub-contractor.. and therefor should be able to do almost whatever I like, as long as the contracted work takes place in a reasonable time frame. I understood it was due to other workers being slackers, and interferring in work, and went along with the policy.

I usually don't gripe but i have a big one today. I work for a mom and pop and they micro-manage everything. well, we have a couple of jerk wads who seem to always be on their phones. so, my friend (who is the assistant manager) tells me that this is the new thing that's going down. They want us to surrender our cell phones when we come in, and we can have them for breaks and lunch but not while we are on the clock.

i have a million reasons why this ticks me off, but i am gonna list a few and hopefully you guys can give opinions and suggestions. this economy sucks, but i am not prepared to surrender personal property while in this building.

1. it's pure unamerican?????
2. i have a kid at home (i know they can call work in emergency)Give them your work number
3. my personal phone has personal pictures and personal notes i have written to myself. i don't trust they someone won't snoop. Put it in a locker at work or in a cooler in the car
4. they are punishing everyone because they don't want to deal with the individual problem.Everyone should have the same rules enforced
5. i'll be forced to leave my phone in the car while at work. it's florida and it's really hot outside. or i can just leave it at home and drive to and from work without one. what if i get into an accident or have an emergency?
6. they fired a disgruntled guy almost a year ago. i want my phone in case he shows up with a gun.If he's disgruntled enough the cell phone won't save you.
7. crap like this happens all the time and things get dealt with my mgt on a mood basis. someone is in the mood to be a poo poo head so we suffer.
8. it's a very laid back office usually. i can spend up to 3 hours on the net and no one cares. i don't smoke but others take 15 smoke breaks at 15 min a peice and no one cares. They should, they are paying for your time. i can take 20 minutes to chat and get a cup of coffee each time i go for coffee and no one cares. Again they should care, you are at work, you should maybe refund some of your pay. but someone was in a bad mood yesterday and saw a guy on a forklift on his cell and now wants to play Office Hitler. driving anything while talking can get someone killed.

all in all i love my job. we get everything done, we get paid well, and we have fun too. but because it's a mom and pop, Pop wants to act like our dad and be a bully.

i say repremand the guy on the forklift. tell everyone to stay off their dang phones while at work. if they get caught again, write them up. again, fire them.

i googled this issue and it's not illegal. lots of companies aparently dont allow cell phones cause they don't want employees taking pics and video of the workplace. i get it. but seriously, this will probably happen caus someone has an attidude problem. Maybe you? Remember you are there to work.so i guess i am stuck only being able to be on b.net, aim, yahoo, google, and youtube while i am at work.Hopefully only during breaks. this is gonna suck.
Hate to sound so harsh, but they are paying for your labor and TIME. There are people out there with the wrecked economy would gladly have your job. The question is, do you still want it??? We had a guy fired 2 weeks ago for being on his cell phone during work hrs

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Originally Posted by Ranegyr

believe me, i wish i could.

My moral delima for today. what's more important to me. Standing up against what i believe is an injustice; or putting food on my table and a roof over my head.

What is this, Russia?

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No, it's not Russia, it called life. Making a choice between your moral distain for your bosses' rules or finding another job is just part of being a responsible adult.

For 23 years I put up with having to let a guy watch me pee in a bottle everytime they wanted to do a random drug screen. But, as an Airman, those were the rules. I could have chosen to quit being an Airman at anytime, but I made my choice.

BTW, I work in a secure facility, and haven't been able to take my celly to work since they were invented.

I understand people coming down on her for the gripe but at the same time I believe people are being a little harsh.As previously pointed out sometimes there is a little downtime when one is waiting for the next assignment.I see no real reason why one could not use their cell during this period.

I do understand from an employers perspective,I would'nt want people screwing around when I'm paying them either.I think physically taking ones property is perhaps a little harsh.If one was caught talking on their phone write them up.Plain and simple.