Friday, April 10, 2009

How do you control cell phone use in the office during work?

It has become a real issue in the office. Cell phones ringing, people on personal cell phone calls and office line calls all day long. The boss is not unreasonable but has always ask that personal calls be kept to a minimum and need to be brief. But some people are on the phone for an hour and more. They chat with friends, family and conduct personal business. How is the manager to control this abuse and not make the staff feel like children?


The boss needs to create a policy in writing describing the cell phone and personal call policies. Have each employee sign it and return it. (that way they can't say they didn't know). If they violate the policy then they will be reprimanded. If it is a policy that is blanket and all have to sign an acknowledgment, the offenders will not feel singled out and those who do not offend with thank the boss for making the work place more peaceful

have him make the stff put their cellphones on vibrate. if this has not been done, have a big conference with everyone to have him talk about how this can affect their work. he needsto be clear to the staff because just because he doesn't want to treat them like children doesn't mean they aren't acting like children. they should be working, and they are not being paid to chat to family and friends. if they have an emergency, they should tell the boss and then go do what they need to do on the phone.

Create a new policy stating that cell phones be OFF until break time or lunch. Any use of cell phones during working hours and caught doing so will constitute a reprimand and forfeiture of using phone until leaving office.

Bring in a "jammer" that will not allow cell phones to work.

They probably aren't legal, but I would think you could get one at an electronics store.

How are they going to know there is one in the office? Would they actually say...umm my cell phone won't work to make personal calls at my desk?

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