Employee Cellular Phone Usage

[SantoC]

Running into a problem with employee cellular phone usage, especially Techs, Porters, and Admin people. Anyone out there have a solution/policy that is curently working for them. Not too sure if a complete ban is called for, but not toally against that policy. Need some feedback. Thanks.

[greg01]

Sounds like the problem is more than just cell phone usage itself. WHY are they using cell phones? Are they prevented from receiving (perceived) important phone calls on company lines? Are you talking about short calls, or long drawn out calls (which would be subject to disciplne based on work performance, regardless of a cell phone policy).

To totally ban them is a mistake (in my opinion). The employees will simply set them to vibrate and spend 10 minutes in the bathroom anyway. They are a symptom of another problem (bad phone policy, bad management controll, or some other factor). They are not the problem themselves.

[SantoC]

Understand as much. What is your policy regarding phone utilization, incoming calls cellular or other wise?

[Markw]

we have a technician that walking around with his cell phone glued to his ear. I'm completly convinced that his work performance is being hindered, and sets a bad example for the others.The other question to ask, is he conducting business for himself outside of the work place? I think you have to take the cell phone useage into perspective. Is it use or abuse?

[Mike Vogel]

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER ARE LOST PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY ISSUES. HOW PRODUCTIVE AND SAFE CAN A TECH BE WORKING IN AND AROUND CARS WHILE TALKING ON A CELL PHONE. IT DEFINITLY IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND WE HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN WITH OUR HUMAN RESOURCE COMPANY TO PUT FORTH SOME KIND OF RESTRICTIONS ON USAGE ( SUCH AS ONLY ON BREAKS/LUNCH ). MOST COMPANIES INCLUDING OURS ALREADY HAD A NO CALL ON COMPANY PHONE POLICY UNLESS AN EMERGENCY SO I SEE NO DIFFERENCE IN PLACING RESTRICTIONS ON CELL PHONE USAGE.