Employeer wants to take our cell phones away

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)
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.

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. 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.

i was pretty upset when i typed this. i didn't proofread. sorry for the typos.

please feel my pain!

It's their business, so they get to set the policies. A guy operating a forklift while talking on a cell phone sounds like an accident waiting to happen. I know a guy who was pinned to a wall through his arm by a careless forklift operator. I know it wasn't you, but if a handful of people are abusing the laid back nature of the small company, setting a rule like this sort of makes sense. And in this economy, the company is probably feeling it and is trying to tighten up a bit. It sucks, but people really shouldn't be talking on cell phones while they're at work. If you're worried about them snooping on your private pictures, bring in a small lock box and lock your phone in it every morning. You have phones at work, so there's really no danger of not being able to make or receive calls in an emergency, either. If I had a business I would have a no cell phone use on the job policy from day one.

I understand how you feel, my boss used to go into a tizzy every time my cell rang while on a job, but I will not answer it while working with hot wires or up on a 12ft ladder etc.

The guy on the fork lift should not be using a cell for safety reasons while operating the lift.

Maybe your friend can offer management some reasonable suggestions as how to deal with the problem.

I drive buses, and if you are caught talking on a cell phone while driving a bus, you pretty much get fired straight off. But it's not like they go through our pockets before we can get in the driver's seat.

And at my old job in retail, we could have our cell phones but weren't allowed to use them on the job. I don't see why they don't just put that policy into effect. Or make it a point system, like you said. There's no reason to actually physically take the cell phones away - I mean come on now... you're adults, not children...

i totally agree that the guy at fault is a total liability risk. i like the guy but if it were my company i would have fired him the minute he came off the lift. that was a stupid move on his part. i also understand that it's their company and they can do whatever they want. it's just frustrating that they feel like handling this situation in this manner. we all remember they one kid who got the chewing gum privilidge taken away. it's not fair. and it's also not fair that organizations can hide behind a bad economy althewhile creating tyrannical rules because we the workers cant afford to quit or cant find another job.

my phone is on vibrate in my pocket. it doesnt' interrupt anyone but me. and if it's not the school, my gf, or my parents, i don't answer.

a few months ago there was a problem with parking the company vans. there isn't enough room for all of them to fit safely. Pop wants them all to fit no matter what. 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." since then, 2 people have hit a pole because its such a tight squeeze back there. everyone hits a van with their door while getting out and the fat guys have to squeeze out. my point is it's mood managment and the last time i heard "DO IT MY WAY CAUSE I SAID SO," was from my real dad when i was a teen. my god we are all adults and deserve to be treated as such.

it's extremely difficult to find a job now. i dont have the money to take time off. i have a job where my Daddy Boss is on the rag once a quarter. i didn't finish college so there are fewer options. and my boss takes advantage of my situation. i cant be the only one who feels this way. (ha, my phone just viberated) so i have to deal with it.

Why can't you just turn the phone off and keep it in your pocket or purse? You could take it outside during a break to check for messages and then turn it off again.

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

Why can't you just turn the phone off and keep it in your pocket or purse? You could take it outside during a break to check for messages and then turn it off again.

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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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Originally Posted by Ranegyr

They want us to surrender our cell phones
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it's pure unamerican

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lol. Only in America :salute:


Not that I disagree or am poking a stick at your rights...

Why not just silent your phone and keep it in your pocket? What are they gonna do? frisk you every time you come to work? now THAT is pure unAmerican...

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Originally Posted by Nate

Why not just silent your phone and keep it in your pocket? What are they gonna do? frisk you every time you come to work? now THAT is pure unAmerican...

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I don't know about that - there are plenty of jobs where you get frisked every time you come to and leave work. As long as you're working there voluntarily, it's up to the employer to define the conditions.

As for the OP, tell your boss to stick it on the collecting phones nonsense - it's not a invasion of privacy you're willing to put up with for this job, and so their choice is only whether to fire you or not - being it's a free country and all.

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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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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I am surprised no one has pointed this out yet. I am skeptical that boss Pop is okay with people ****ing around on the computer all day while he is trying to completely eliminate people being off task on cell phones...all in all, I agree with you, however, if my job let me surf the net for w/e I wanted several hours a day, I don't know how much I would complain.

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Originally Posted by ctrlfreq

I don't know about that - there are plenty of jobs where you get frisked every time you come to and leave work. As long as you're working there voluntarily, it's up to the employer to define the conditions.

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ha yeah you have a very valid point there...

I guess i was thinking - a mom n pop store frisking their employees? doesn't sound fair at all. If it was a high risk government job, I could understand :)

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Originally Posted by Ranegyr

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.

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Yeah, I know. That whole food/roof thing always gets in the way. :rolleyes:

in my opinion just do what you feel is right. i had a similar dilemma in a way, where i had to choose my bosses way or the highway. and i used to wor kfor an irrigation company which in ny is seasonal. and when it came the end of the season (December) he said bye and see you in the spring etc. i searched for weeks to find a job and i didnt so i contacted my boss and told him i had no choice then to collect unemployment, so he said opkay if you collect unemployment then your fired and cannot work for me ever again. its a load of bull but i needed to pay for my car and phone and such. so i collected unemployment. in my case i make just enough on unemployment to pay my bills . so i used being laid off to my advantage and went back to college. but that just how i took care if it. its similar i na way but then again isnt. i say keep the phone on silent in your pocket. and just say you left it at home or w/e i dont think they can frisk you. but then again its not my company :-p

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Originally Posted by Ranegyr

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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First, it's not an injustice for an employer to set the conditions of your employment - it's an inconvenience at best - the only conceivable way it could be an injustice would be if you were entitled to your job, which you most certainly are not.

Second, it's obviously not Russia (or more accurately the USSR) because the choice isn't being made for you, and you face no penalty for non-compliance. The fact that your choice may result in your having to find another place to work is just an illustration of freedom's double-edge.

where do you work?

if you work retail/hosptiaility im with your boss. it is totally unprofessional to be talking on a cell phone while on the floor anywhere. even if you are a manager you should take yourself out of the public eye when receiving a phone call that is on your personal line.

if you are worried about personal property then leave it in the car. unless your cell phone is used as part of your business then you shouldn't be using it.

Honestly, if you do not like it, then find employment elsewhere. They can setup their policies however they like. I see how their employees working instead of talking on their cell phones would help with productivity. I work at a large facility, and they fire anyone that they find on the production floor talking on their cell phones. No questions asked.

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Originally Posted by ctrlfreq

As long as you're working there voluntarily, it's up to the employer to define the conditions.

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This is not quite true, as I'm sure you are aware. There are certain things they just aren't allowed to do. However, for the most part it is true.

One thing they can't do is treat employees differently. So they can't say that "Jimmy" (making up a name for the fork lift operator) can't have a cell phone while he is at work, but everyone else can. They could make a policy that you can have a cell phone until you get in trouble with it, and offenders are no longer allowed that privilege. However, if they make a rule like that, they have to be very careful to enforce is consistently. And, since the rule didn't already exist (or perhaps had not been being enforced), they can't just make up the rule and take Jimmy's cell phone away. They would have to wait until the next time he messes up, and they probably don't want to take that risk. So I do sort of understand where the management is coming from.

They could fire "Jimmy" on general principles of him doing something that was not safe. Since "Pop" claims he has people lined up for jobs, I'm not sure why he wouldn't do this. An employee that makes a mistake like that one time is likely to make another one, and taking away his cell phone isn't going to stop him from doing something else that isn't safe. Maybe they are concerned that they have allowed other employees to get away with similar things and keep their job, which would open them up to being sued for the thing about treating people differently.

I know it sucks for you, but as you have already said, with the current economy it might be hard for you to find another job so you have limited options. My advice would be to wait it out and see what happens. If the company is usually as laid back as you say, and things happen based on the moods of the management, then it is likely that the management will get into a more laid back mood soon.

welcome to the real world!

hey, if you decide to quit let me know...I'd love to have the privelege of working in these times.

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Originally Posted by kc261

One thing they can't do is treat employees differently. So they can't say that "Jimmy" (making up a name for the fork lift operator) can't have a cell phone while he is at work, but everyone else can.

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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.

I don't think it's that big a deal really. When I ran a restaurant I pretty regularly confiscated cell phones from girls who couldn't seem to do their job whenever they had one on them. We didn't take them away as soon as they walked into the door, but if we had to tell them more than once to put it away then we took it away.

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Originally Posted by AaronP

When I ran a restaurant I pretty regularly confiscated cell phones from girls who couldn't seem to do their job whenever they had one on them.

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I must be getting old... I can't even imagine having a job like that and thinking that being on the phone would be acceptable in the least. You're there to provide a service, and if you're talking or texting, you're obviously not doing what you're being paid for.

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Originally Posted by ctrlfreq

i must be getting old... I can't even imagine having a job like that and thinking that being on the phone would be acceptable in the least. You're there to provide a service, and if you're talking or texting, you're obviously not doing what you're being paid for.

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x2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by ctrlfreq

I must be getting old... I can't even imagine having a job like that and thinking that being on the phone would be acceptable in the least. You're there to provide a service, and if you're talking or texting, you're obviously not doing what you're being paid for.

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I agree, that's why I took their phones away and put it in the safe till their shift was over.

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Originally Posted by Ranegyr

... Instead of treating us like adults and telling us to act like them. they decide to take our phones away. .....

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I'm sorry I'm not more sympathetic to your cause. While I can understand the frustration at an unexpected inconvenience...it seems equally childish to me to whine about it not being fair. So...if you want to be treated like an adult, then act like an adult and deal wit the situation without whining and without expecting everything in life to be "fair."

It sounds like you have an AWEsome job that many people here would give their left arm to have. You get plenty of "goof off" time on your boss's dime?!? And yet you stay productive and fulfilled, apparently. (Getting all your work done) And you "have fun" doing it....AND you get paid well! Geez, dude...count your blessings and stop worrying about the little faults your boss may have. No job is perfect...no boss is perfect.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to sit down with your boss and make a few suggestions about how to handle the cell phone issues and see if he his willing to take you up on any of them. But don't expect him to. And if he doesn't...then just deal with it. It's really not that big of a deal, especially when balanced out against everything else you've said about your job.

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Originally Posted by ctrlfreq

I must be getting old... I can't even imagine having a job like that and thinking that being on the phone would be acceptable in the least. You're there to provide a service, and if you're talking or texting, you're obviously not doing what you're being paid for.

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The timing of this thread is great. I just had to reprimand one of my staff a couple of days ago for using her cell to send text messages all day long. I not only told her it was unacceptable, but I also increased her workload since, as I explained to her, she has free time. I haven't seen her using her phone since then (except for break time), but if I do, I have a 3-Strikes rule. She'd have two more & then she's out the door.

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Originally Posted by JLC

I'm sorry I'm not more sympathetic to your cause. While I can understand the frustration at an unexpected inconvenience...it seems equally childish to me to whine about it not being fair. So...if you want to be treated like an adult, then act like an adult and deal wit the situation without whining and without expecting everything in life to be "fair."

It sounds like you have an AWEsome job that many people here would give their left arm to have. You get plenty of "goof off" time on your boss's dime?!? And yet you stay productive and fulfilled, apparently. (Getting all your work done) And you "have fun" doing it....AND you get paid well! Geez, dude...count your blessings and stop worrying about the little faults your boss may have. No job is perfect...no boss is perfect.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to sit down with your boss and make a few suggestions about how to handle the cell phone issues and see if he his willing to take you up on any of them. But don't expect him to. And if he doesn't...then just deal with it. It's really not that big of a deal, especially when balanced out against everything else you've said about your job.

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I consider myself lucky to have the job that i have. Believe me I have been thinking about this all day. Deep down i don't think i can come to terms with a no phones policy. i disagree, but i wouldn't lose my job over it. i'd probably end up sneaking my phone in anyway. my problem is that we are all forced to make a consession because one person did something stupid. i dont think it should matter how old you are, that's never fair. we cant take shampoo on an airplane, that is stupid. fire the person who cant conduct himself properly. leave the rest of us who don't abuse policies, alone. arrest the person who is sneaking anthrax on a plane, but leave my Herbal Essence alone.

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Originally Posted by Ranegyr

my problem is that we are all forced to make a consession because one person did something stupid.

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It's a consession that shouldn't be happening anyway. At my old job I was sometimes busy for 60 hours a week, and some days I'd have nothing to do and would stream a movie or something. It was a great perk that as long as I was getting my work done first and foremost, I could do what I wanted when I didn't have anything to do. But if my boss ever said things were going to change and I couldn't use my phone or watch movies I wouldn't think twice about it. I was at work, getting paid to work. When you're at work, getting paid for your time and work from someone's pocket, they own that time and your actions during that time. If you're one of the more mature employees there, I understand Pop's frustration.

I agree with removing the phones from your person. You could leave them in your vehicle, or in a locker, or they can put them into a drawer. You are getting paid to work, not to talk on a personal phone.
Yeah, you'd rather be able to chat on the company time, but all your points were no good IMHO.
Your kid can call work, if someone with a gun shows up - use the company phone, unamerican? wanting to play while you get paid is unamerican.

I dealt with the cell phone stuff here at work, and finally told the boss to remove cell phones unless people were on break. Even then, they would sneak the phone into the back. Removing them altogether was the only option.
If everyone at the business was responsible about the cell phones, then the bosses wouldn't have to remove them. Why not be mad at the co-workers?

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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.

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Originally Posted by hoax

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.

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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6 - So that school shooting where the kid graduated last year and came back and shot like 15 people today or yesterday, never happened?

7 - A boss in a bad mood scaring his employees means a bad boss. A boss should conduct himself in the same manner no matter the mood. professional, not likey a moody spoiled child. I have dealt with enough of them.

and finally that pep talk? Ever heard of morale? Constantly threatening employees makes them steal, work slower, badmouth the company, call in more, etc etc etc.

Not saying that you can't tell an employee that he can't have his cell phone, but disagreeing with some of your other points.

Worst manager ever? Worst of the worst, a manager at a well known greeting card company that guilted a guy into coming into work the day his wife and kids died in a fire.

Not harsh. Realistic. Being a working adult means you don't get to choose the rules. Working for a company means you WORK while you are on the clock. She said they would be allowed the cell phones while on break, or after work.
It sounds supremely whiney and like the entitlement generation that she says how they all goof off and are irresponsible, then wants a cell phone allowed so she can do MORE of the goofing off.

Why should any boss allow you to sit on your duff and do no productive work? Oh wait.. it's only XX amount of time that they won't be working.

Maybe if more people worked for the company, instead of trying to do the bare minimum to get a paycheck, this country would be known for better work ethics. It appears to me that there's not a lot of work ethics around anymore.

"Will it get me fired?" is not the way to decide what to do. Whining about a CELL PHONE is not a moral decision. It's a work rule. The boss is not unreasonable to wish the WORKERS to WORK. That's why he pays them. Why not whine that you are not allowed to have your XBox at your desk, so you could just spend all day playing video games.. instead of HAVING to surf the net, and talk via IM all day while collecting a paycheck?
Entitlement always makes me crazy. Can you tell?

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Originally Posted by stormwulf133

Constantly threatening employees makes them steal, work slower, badmouth the company, call in more, etc etc etc.

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And then they get fired for all of the above. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

Not harsh. Realistic. Being a working adult means you don't get to choose the rules. Working for a company means you WORK while you are on the clock. She said they would be allowed the cell phones while on break, or after work.
It sounds supremely whiney and like the entitlement generation that she says how they all goof off and are irresponsible, then wants a cell phone allowed so she can do MORE of the goofing off.

Why should any boss allow you to sit on your duff and do no productive work? Oh wait.. it's only XX amount of time that they won't be working.

Maybe if more people worked for the company, instead of trying to do the bare minimum to get a paycheck, this country would be known for better work ethics. It appears to me that there's not a lot of work ethics around anymore.



"Will it get me fired?" is not the way to decide what to do. Whining about a CELL PHONE is not a moral decision. It's a work rule. The boss is not unreasonable to wish the WORKERS to WORK. That's why he pays them. Why not whine that you are not allowed to have your XBox at your desk, so you could just spend all day playing video games.. instead of HAVING to surf the net, and talk via IM all day while collecting a paycheck?
Entitlement always makes me crazy. Can you tell?

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ummm..no:rolleyes:;)

At my old job we were not even allowed to bring our cell phone, and if they ever saw it they would suspend you without pay for a week.

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Originally Posted by AaronP

And then they get fired for all of the above. :rolleyes:

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Which in turn costs the company money, hiring new and training new and drug testing new employees. The best type of boss is the type that keeps morale high and only brings down the hammer when needed. We had a boss like that. We had less theft, less call ins, less problems and higher customer satisfaction ratings, a much lower turn over rate......

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Originally Posted by stormwulf133

Which in turn costs the company money, hiring new and training new and drug testing new employees. The best type of boss is the type that keeps morale high and only brings down the hammer when needed. We had a boss like that. We had less theft, less call ins, less problems and higher customer satisfaction ratings, a much lower turn over rate......

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He sounds like the OP's boss.

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Originally Posted by PythonWallace

He sounds like the OP's boss.

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No, he would have written the guy up for the cellphone thing. He also ignored my carrying of a cellphone on the job because he knew what I used it for, the only thing I would use it for was a list of contacts for customers. I knew enough, and respected him enough to NOT be texting or talking on the job. He respected me enough to trust that I would use it for the right reasons.

Have you seen the economy lately? Companies are getting killed. If you want to survive you have to streamline and cut out waste. I have my own business and have made many sacrifices to keep the lights on and the doors open. If I thought anyone was wasting my time goofing off (on the phone or whatever) they are gone.

Most business owners are chomping at the bit. Every state has there own workers rights. I suggest you check yours and see what you options are. I am sure having a cell phone is not one of your rights in any state.

I'll bet your boss is trying to figure out ways he is loosing $/production. If he goes under you can use your phone all you want(if you can still afford it).
I treat my employees with respect and dont drive them like slaves. I agree moral is very important. I take care of my people and I expect them to take care of me. I dont scream and belittle people (I used to work for someone like that and the guys hated him and didnt care less to look out for him). I treat them like professionals and if they dont behave like pros and look out for the company off they go. We are all trying to keep the roof over our heads and food on the table. Its time for people to realize it takes more than just showing up, you gotta take care of business and look out for those who sign your check(take care of you).

This doent sound like greed or a power trip but necessity in these trying times.

The bottom line is that the employer has the right to tell you to either leave your cell phone home or check it at the door. I have lived through various recessions and boom times, and when jobs are scarce employers tow a harder line than when they are in dire need of finding people to hire.That's just the way it is.