Are Cell Phones a Problem At Your Job?
By kittenclaus
@kittenclaus (1393)
United States
July 28, 2010 9:31am CST
I am SO fed up with cell phones being out at work. I'm a manager in fast food and another manger I work with often plays on her cell phone more then working. Every time I turn around she is on the phone texting and it is driving me up the wall. Now our crew members are seeing this and they get out their phones. It's sending a bad message. I've talked to our store manager and he is suppose to talk to her but after yesterday I guess either she didn't listen or he never spoke to her about it. There is too much work to be done to have that phone at work. There are rules about this but she doesn't seem to think they apply to her. I've tried jokingly telling her to put it up, I don't want to start some war but It looks like I'm gonna have to have a serious talk to her. have you guys had problems like this and what did you do to correct it? I'm open for any suggestions!!
1 person likes this
11 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
28 Jul 10
Well, I wouldn't recommend this because it could get you fired but the creative way I've thought to deal with it is to wait until it gets really busy and then start using your own phone and when and if she says something say "Oh could you get that?" or maybe walk away from your post and say "Oh I gotta get this, could you handle them for a little while?" and see if she gets the message. Again I wouldn't recommend it.
@kittenclaus (1393)
• United States
28 Jul 10
Although I have thought about doing this I don't play that way. I am a firm believer that cell phones are not to be used at work unless it is for the company. it's just going against my rules and I will not lower myself to her level. Thanks though
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
28 Jul 10
I understand what you mean. If you have no control over her or don't feel comfortable with control of her you could reprimand any of the workers for using their phones. Though you should let her know that unless she wants workers who are too busy texting to work then she needs to put the phone up too.
@buggles64 (2709)
• United States
28 Jul 10
Cell phones have their advantages and disadvantages and I see the same scenario that you describe over and over. I have seen many employees abuse their privileges of cell phone use on the job in almostevery workplace that I have been in except for one...where I was a supervisor. Having a cell at work for emergencies only, not to socialize on work time.
@kittenclaus (1393)
• United States
28 Jul 10
Exactly, the only time I pull mine out at wrk is when the registers go down and I need to be running from register to register to try to get them back up. They are not paying us for talking to our friends they are paying us to work!
@sumanadep (1228)
• India
29 Jul 10
In my office Cell phones are not a problem.... well that is because it is ban in the work area and during working hours... Before we enter the work area we have to keep our cell phone in the lockers provided.. we can only have access to the cell when we get breaks...
@jennbart (1330)
• Philippines
29 Jul 10
Well, I think you really need a serious talk with her. Tell her that she is not giving a good example to the crew members. As a manager, one must ACT like a manager. Or request for a meeting and set some GUIDELINES on when to use cellphones. Rules like, leave all your cellphone at your lockers and the ONLY time that you can get it is if its their BREAKTIME.
@rashelleaila (2)
• Philippines
29 Jul 10
using or bringing cellphone nowadays is a necessity. thanks to the fast pacing technology! However, we should use it properly. When we are at work, we have to avoid using it and its only for emergency purposes. i guess u have to talk to her and reprimand her.Texting is not one of her job descriptions i guess. lols.
@Patience68 (28)
• Kenya
29 Jul 10
I too had the same problem with my house help.She couldn't stay like half an hour without either a message coming in or someone calling. I have a child who is Two and eight months old whom she takes care off.I was getting so pissed off when she was feeding the kid and she couldn't concentrate because of the phone.One time I had thought of doing what my neighbor did to his house help.He decided to hide the phone and bought her a new one.The new phone had no record of the friend and relatives who were calling her.She could not remember any of the numbers she had saved in the other one.It took some time before she could gather the numbers and connections once more.This not a very good way to deal with this problem.Personally I was unable deal with it that way but did sit her down and talked to her about it.I told her that the phone was going to cost her the job. I talked to her kindly but firmly and she understood me.She now knows that her job comes first and that what she was doing was wrong.I hope this does help you while you look for real remedy.
@maui_gomez_lim (1017)
• Philippines
28 Jul 10
That's frustrating... I don't have the same problems as yours. My company is into sales so it is expected that most of the employees communicate via phone (mobile and landline). But in case I would have the same problems as yours, I would tell to her bluntly and as calm as I can be. Its the only way you can address the issue. Seems that your store manager didn't mind at all, otherwise, he/she would have addressed it immediately. I don't see anything wrong you taking the responsibility.
@bubulizzz (508)
• Latvia
28 Jul 10
For me the cell phone isn't problem. Only persons who call me are my mother or boyfriend, and I get about one call per day.
I like that my cell phone is beside me, because I always can to look what time is it.
Of course there has been some days when my phone is a problem, but I can remember only one bright example - when I started to talk by phone one minute before my boss walked in office, and it happened four times per one day.
About your colleague - there are many people who don't like their job and who tries to do everything to spend their working day in some other way. I think that if she would not play with her cell phone, she would find some other entertainment. I have seen that people are reading books, surfing on net or even knitting in their work. What can I say - they have no responsibility feelings and no understanding and loyalty to their colleagues.![](/Content/images/emotes/glare.gif)
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@eurekafemme (5877)
• Philippines
28 Jul 10
The number of minutes spent texting and using phone for not so important matters can hinder one's productivity and efficiency.This is the reason why it is prohibited to use the phone (personal) during working hours unless a situation arouse that needed immediate attention.
The best thing to do it is to talk to her, either in one on one manner or have it discussed on a regular meeting with all of your stuff, but, be sure that when you prefer to do the latter make sure you are referring to everybody in general and not just to her.
Just be calm and subtle when bringing up the subject. You must do it or else if you will continuously tolerate her it will also backfire to your department. Goodluck!
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
29 Jul 10
We have the same sort of problem at work. I am with a manufacturing company with people on the floor. And there's lots of them also playing with their phones when they are supposedly working. A lot of supervisors are getting frustrated, but since we are a union shop, nobody seems to know what to do with them.
Sorry, no suggestions here.
@jennywren3 (54)
•
28 Jul 10
I am manageress of a busy sandwich shop, all mobile phones & purses are kept in my shop safe & the only time the shop staff get them back is when they have a break or its there home time, it just got on my nerves with phones bleeping & ringing when trying to serve customers.
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