Cell phones

[Fixedopsmgr]

Does anyone have a policy in place regarding cell phones in the shop.

[robc]

I wrote about this probably a couple of years back so let see if I can summarize from memory.

1 - Whatever you decide put it in writing and add it to the employee handbook.

2 - You should outright ban all cell phone use while they are on test drives or in company vehicles. Accident+cell = lawsuit for your dealership.

3 - Any other ban is possible but darn tough to enforce. Like anything that can be distraction, like a spouse that is constantly visiting, or constant breaks from work, it would be better to write a more open policy that allows for some lose enforcement. The last thing I want is the tech constantly sneaking out to make a call. I'd rather him not call, but if he has to, I'd rather him stay in the shop working while he does it.

4 - Keep in mind a cell phone in the right hands can be productive. If a situation comes up at home, I'd rather the tech work it out on his cell phone than be worried about it or have to leave to the shop.

5 - Old phone restrictions were based on dollars (the phone were the property of the dealer and the bill was paid by them). Cell phones belong to the techs, so they have less inhibition to use them. You have to address this mentality to curb the problem.
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** Rob, Editor Dealersedge/WD&S **
Help is only a message post away!
robc@dealersedge.com

[This message has been edited by robc (edited 02-24-2005).]

[Old Irish]

" it would be better to write a more open policy that allows for some lose enforcement."


I have to agree. Some too-firm "policies" work against you.

I've been through the whole cell phone problem, mostly with younger techs. I always just handled it one-on-one and when I felt it was excessive, I let them know about it firmly. (Some of these guys were geting 8-10-12 calls a day!) After a few weeks everybody got the idea and now it isn't much of an issue at all.

Straying off topic a bit, what is it with this whole cell phone thing anyway? Look around. I've never seen SO many people who apparently feel compelled to be in nearly *constant* communications with *somebody* regardless of where they are or what they are doing

Or am I just getting old and cranky ???

Cheers
Doug