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General => General Discussion and ??? => Topic started by: shirtz on October 19, 2011, 07:53:46 PM

Title: Employees and cell phones
Post by: shirtz on October 19, 2011, 07:53:46 PM
What are your company policies regarding texting at work? I can't walk through the shop without seeing someone texting.
It's an distraction as well as a waste of $. We have grown to the point of having 10 employees and I need to figure out how to remedy the situation.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: rmonks on October 19, 2011, 08:07:19 PM
I have two employees and they tend to do there texting on breaks and lunch. Of course I pay them good for the area, and  they know I am pretty serious about my business, and will not tolerate my money being wasted.  I would just tell them like you said it is a distraction to their work, and you don't allow them sending text. It all boils down to YOU ARE THE BOSS.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Socalfmf on October 19, 2011, 08:10:11 PM
simple...ZERO cell phones...makes it real easy...if there is an emergency call the main line....if not you have lunch.  we also make zero cell phones because we noticed people taking a lot of bathroom breaks...noone goes pee every 15-20 min....
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: T Shirt1 on October 19, 2011, 08:16:55 PM
Just say NO.  One of the few things that's strictly forbidden here.   Do calls or txt on breaks or lunch and please be sure to step away from your work area.  When they start texting they quit working and when they quit working the business has no use for them. JMO
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: balloonguy on October 19, 2011, 09:17:14 PM
http://www.ecrater.com/p/11668281/5-antenna-cell-phone-jammer-remote (http://www.ecrater.com/p/11668281/5-antenna-cell-phone-jammer-remote)
Never tried it but it is worth a try.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: mk162 on October 20, 2011, 08:17:53 AM
those are banned in many states. FYI.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Sbrem on October 20, 2011, 09:45:29 AM
"you are not being paid to talk or text on the phone. What don't you get?"

Steve
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Homer on October 20, 2011, 10:55:32 AM
Kids at my wife's high school are allowed to use their cell phones in the halls between classes, new rule this year -no lie. . . .you take a kids cell away and they will turn and sue you for theft. . .main reason I couldn't be a teacher, I would have an anvil and smash the phones when I see them. . .and some kids fingers while he's still hanging on to it.


I am honest with my guys, I tell them your wasted time is hurting you and me - more money you make me, more I am going to pay you and sky is the limit. So with you dicking around on your phone, you are taking money out of your pocket. All it takes is one huge mistake and it could literally sink me, then they will be out of a job - and nobody wants that, we have too much fun here. They are respectful and understanding. . .
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: mooseman on October 20, 2011, 12:34:24 PM
I have a customer who owns a very large business, I mean the guy is a Phd or how ever you say it has multiple patents and the like. He said something to me that I fully agree with...it goes like this...:"when you are the boss you get to make the rules"
I would call a meeting, stop the whole show, bring EVERYBODY and I mean EVERYBODY together . Vocalize the policy and hand them all two copies of a  company letter stating the same detail as the speach, require all to keep one copy and initial & return the second copy as acknowledgement of receipt / review.

My letter would go something like this........ as of 8:00AM monday there will be absolutely no smoking or use of personel phones or other communication devices on company production time defined as xxxAM to XXXXX PM on normal work days.
 This includes, but not limited to  texting, gaming, ordinary phone conversations,  web surfing. Emergency contacts should be made through the company phone number 123 456 7890. The company phone is always available any time  to all personnel who need to make outgoing calls of urgent matters.

Anyone who feels this is  unacceptable or has a  need to access  a personal  phone or other personal electronic device on company production time  should see me immediately so we can understand your need on a one to one basis.
Thank you ...STRONG LETTER TO FOLLOW!!!!!!!!
mooseman
Please initial the second copy of this letter to indicate your receipt and understanding of this new company requirement and see me if you have any further questions.   
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: mk162 on October 20, 2011, 01:46:29 PM
We call it the golden rule...he who has the gold, makes the rules.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Im-Magic on October 20, 2011, 07:36:13 PM
Had an Apprentice last year who could not go without using his phone for more than 5 minutes, so I told him our policy was no use of personal phones during work time. He started going to the toilet every 10 minutes (thinking I would not notice). I gave him a choice - The Phone or the Job and he chose the Phone.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Fresh Baked Printing on October 21, 2011, 10:03:48 AM
Had an Apprentice last year who could not go without using his phone for more than 5 minutes, so I told him our policy was no use of personal phones during work time. He started going to the toilet every 10 minutes (thinking I would not notice). I gave him a choice - The Phone or the Job and he chose the Phone.


As mentioned by others, no tolerance for cell usage during work hours. They will eventually print a 1000 shirts  wrong or loose a hand. Both are bad for the business owner.

These are the same people that make you miss the stop light signal cycle because they were too busy texting while waiting in front of you at the light. Ug.
If I was a cop, these are the people I throw on the hood as I write them up.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Command-Z on October 21, 2011, 12:00:59 PM

Why is this even a question? And why is there an underlying feeling among employees on the job, students in the classroom, people at the dinner table, people already in a face-to-face conversation and people driving a F__KING CAR that this it's OK to divide your attention?

Put the damn thing away. The messages that were not important before cell phones were invented are still not so important that you need to interrupt what you are doing.

On a related note, I really don't like this concept of "multi-tasking." Instead of having more people (jobs) doing things right, let's have fewer people doing more things crappy. Next to "crowdsourcing," this has got to be the worst idea to come from the business-seminar think tanks in the past two decades.

OMFG WTF?


Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: mk162 on October 21, 2011, 01:28:32 PM
When I multi-task, it just means I screw more things up at 1 time.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Artelf2xs on October 24, 2011, 03:53:01 PM
Jamming a cell phone is a federal violation of FCC Federal Communications Commission laws...
I'd probably tell them it is a problem that is costing the company money and I may need to access fines as such.
Then when I see them yaking on the phone while on the press, I's make the P-A SQUEEEL!!!! or say something funny about the possible content of the texting to embarrass them in front of the others..
I'm a prick! :-[
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: ebscreen on October 24, 2011, 04:00:44 PM
Moreso than the problem of employees wasting time on the phone, the addiction to the damn things
is just outright scary.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Gabe on October 30, 2011, 08:08:59 PM
Rookie printers
one time using company time =warning
second time=yellow card
third time=red card
just like in soccer


Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Frog on October 30, 2011, 08:22:18 PM
Moreso than the problem of employees wasting time on the phone, the addiction to the damn things
is just outright scary.

Even scarier, the addiction is not bounded by youth. My wife's best friend, is 64 years old and totally addicted, to the point of even texting while driving! (and has never even used a headset for conversations)!
We are to the point that like with a teenage child whose ride home has been compromised by a drinker, my wife is prepared to just ask to be let out and call me to pick her up next time!

This may be a new category on both car and health insurance forms as it certainly increases the odds for expenses in both.

Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Im-Magic on October 31, 2011, 05:40:48 PM
Talking on a Mobile carries a $200.00 fine and texting is considered Dangerous Driving and will lose you your Licence for at least 12 month here in Australia.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: ebscreen on October 31, 2011, 06:14:32 PM
I've heard stories of pallbearers dropping caskets when their phone rang. True or not,
I could definitely see it happening. That kind of instinctual reaction to an electronic
device scares the hell out of me. Personally I can't hit the silence button fast enough.

I had a friend of mine working for me (never again) and he was keen on answering his phone
in the middle of a run. Literally stopping all production so he could chat about his new hairdo or
whatever. I would just sit there and stare. Then one day on an 8 color waterbased print, and I can
just hear the screens drying, I gave him what for. I really don't mind employees staying up to
date with their friends, even on my time, but sweet jeebus in the middle of a run? If the phone beeps
and you drop whatever the hell you're doing to give it your undivided attention it might be time to re-evaluate
your life choices.











Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Frog on October 31, 2011, 06:21:27 PM
Talking on a Mobile carries a $200.00 fine and texting is considered Dangerous Driving and will lose you your Licence for at least 12 month here in Australia.

It is punishable here as well, and that barely slows it down. In fact, just last week, a  BMW was rammed, killing the driver. Rammed by a driver of a pick-up trying to elude the cops who were stopping him for using his phone.

The woman I mentioned, is constantly, during a conversation with my wife, saying something like, gotta put the phone down there's a cop. Not hang up, just put it down until the policeman is gone!

These folks are seriously hooked.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Gilligan on November 01, 2011, 12:01:49 AM
I've heard stories of pallbearers dropping caskets when their phone rang. True or not

I do know that was a scene in some bad movie where it was a girl calling the guy and he just dropped it.

Might be one of those people that have a hard time letting facts get in the way of a good "story".

But it could very well be based off of factual events all the same.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Evo on November 01, 2011, 02:11:39 AM
Simple:

"No texting or personal calls unless you're on break or it's an urgent matter. If you have any questions about that, you're fired."

Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: mjrprint on November 01, 2011, 09:16:05 AM
Just got the new iphone and it comes in handy in the car. Just tell the virtual assistant siri who you want to call or text and dictate the text (email too) and say send. Combine that with the headphones w/ mic or bluetooth and you are hands free. What cracks me up is when people talk with their hands in the car like the person is there.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Gilligan on November 01, 2011, 11:57:16 AM
What cracks me up is when people talk with their hands in the car like the person is there.

Hey hey hey... that's our culture here.  My favorite is when I catch myself giving directions using my hands while on the phone. :)
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Homer on November 01, 2011, 04:20:35 PM
so far - the best - a customer walks in, ready to place the order, cell -or now it's called " a mobile device" rings -they do not say excuse me, I need to take this -they just answer like usual. They try to hold a conversation with me -and on the phone. You can clearly hear the other person on the phone and it is a useless conversation, or they are calling everyone to get the sizes . goes like this: What color shirt are you thinking of? -Oh whatever you think looks good with the graphics, just make me a "Oh Hi Paula. . .can you hear me? What?. . .Linda? Oh, She's fine, she had surgery on her rectum, yeah. . yeah. . too much fluid around her colon.". . . I have started to just walk away from the counter. . . I should make a sign -what should it say?
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Frog on November 01, 2011, 05:11:19 PM
. I should make a sign -what should it say?

Hang up and order!
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: bj on November 02, 2011, 09:03:18 PM
That is hilarious!  simple and to the point.  I still give this one guy a hard time because he was complaining that his phone didn't work anymore because he got it wet.  I asked him how it got wet.  He dropped it in the toilet.  I couldn't stop laughing and then he said it was the third time it happened.  I had tears running down my eyes I was laughing so hard.  I told him maybe it was Karma for all the times people had to listen to him on the toilet while talking to him. 
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Gilligan on November 02, 2011, 11:49:37 PM
Happened to my daughter but that is because those darn kids where their pants WAY too tight.

She had to buy her replacement battery though.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: EnMartian on November 07, 2011, 01:05:07 PM
That is hilarious!  simple and to the point.  I still give this one guy a hard time because he was complaining that his phone didn't work anymore because he got it wet.  I asked him how it got wet.  He dropped it in the toilet.  I couldn't stop laughing and then he said it was the third time it happened.  I had tears running down my eyes I was laughing so hard.  I told him maybe it was Karma for all the times people had to listen to him on the toilet while talking to him.

Oh, that's funny and gross at the same time.  I can't imagine calling someone while I was in the bathroom.  There's no conversation that can't wait a few minutes. 

It really amazes me how cell phones have eroded manners.   I have on co-worker who will be holding a conversation with me and will stop in the middle because he got a text and then reply to the text while completely ignoring me.   I see that happen with texts and phone calls all the time.  What makes what's happening on the phone more important than what's happening right in front of you?  And what happened to being polite.  It takes two seconds to excuse yourself and go deal with the call if that's what you need to do. 
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: mjrprint on November 08, 2011, 02:28:38 PM
Yea now it's everything at an instant these days. Social networks have completely eliminated actual human interaction.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: inkman996 on November 08, 2011, 04:00:47 PM
I truly miss the days of basic old telephones on a cord. Long distance cost per minute no plans available. Letters were written by hand and mailed.

I think things like letters and conversations on the phone have completely lost their value. Its like anything you truly do not miss it till it is gone, back in the day you could wait days to get that important letter from your loved one even if it was only mushy gushy stuff.

Facebook is evil I tell you, on line dating is evil, text messaging is evil as well.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: ebscreen on November 08, 2011, 04:09:27 PM
In terms of business, for %90 of everything, I'll take an email over a phone call any day.
Phone calls demand your immediate attention and are honestly kind of intrusive. Some
folks are also a little phone happy. My VOIP dealy-doo has a web page where you can
view all of your phone calls and times and whatnot. One client I counted 30+ phone calls and
a little over an hour on the phone, for one job. Granted it was a large job, but literally
everything they asked had been outlined (and re-outlined, post phone call) in email. Ugh.
Not to mention PDF mockups and estimates and invoices are a hell of a lot better than a bunch
of talk. Picture thousand words yadda yaddaa...


You're right about everything else though.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Shawn (EIP) on November 08, 2011, 04:29:19 PM
I love email and texting, I hate phone calls and making them. I like having the time to think clearly and have my crap together before answering questions without having to eat my under priced phone price quote later.
Title: Re: Employees and cell phones
Post by: Homer on November 08, 2011, 05:12:29 PM
I love email and texting, I hate phone calls and making them. I like having the time to think clearly and have my crap together before answering questions without having to eat my under priced phone price quote later.

if you had proper software, it wouldn't matter now would it?



and get the hell of ebay, you don't need any more crap...go sell or I'm going to start advertising in rochester. . .