It's a bit childish to take my phone from me...
By courtknee525
@courtknee525 (3742)
United States
March 13, 2012 1:32pm CST
Yesterday at work I got caught with my cell phone because I checked something my dad had sent me. Usually, I'm very good at keeping a look out while using my phone at work but yesterday one of the managers came up out of nowhere. So, I got caught, we're not allowed to have our phones with us on the sales floor. No problem, it was my fault for breaking the rules. But, the manager asked me to giver her my phone. I was extremely hesitant and after I gave it to her I got really mad. We're all adults and you have to take my phone from me like I'm in high school? I understand I made a mistake but just ask me to go put it away. That's my personal property and she just took it away to who knows where when anyone could just take it. At least in high school it stayed on the teacher's desk or something where you could see it was safe.
That ruined my whole day and after that I didn't feel like working and I just wanted to go home. I had to go into the back office and talk to one of the managers about it. Next time I'm at work I'll be written up for using my cell phone. So I'm kind of hoping the manager just forgets about it and when I go to work tomorrow I'll be fine.
I just think it's very immature to take someone's phone from them and I was furious. I understand the policy of no phones, but please, don't just confiscate it from me if you catch me.
What do you think? Is it right for your boss or managers to just take something from you like that?
3 people like this
13 responses
@edarcy (3)
•
14 Mar 12
That is pretty childish!Im sure your intelligent and mature enough to negotiate with your manager,obviously she thinks oppositely.I think that she could just remind you that mobiles are not permitted and what if you needed to make an urgent message or call,she dosent need to interfere!One of the many reasons people hate/dislike their bosses.
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
14 Mar 12
Exactly. I know that I broke the rules so she could've just reprimanded me, written me up, and told me to go put my phone away. It was completely unnecessary to treat me like a child and confiscate my phone, that's what got me so angry and upset.
1 person likes this
@Sunshine18 (200)
• United States
14 Mar 12
I think this is very wrong. No manager has the right to take something from you. Yes there is a rule but this is not school it is a job. I am sorry this happen to you but I know you will never let that happen again. Like one of the other members said that was there way of doing it. Some managers manage like they do at home so they treat us like kids. It is really not fair but that is how every job is with a boss. Hope you are having a better day.
1 person likes this
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
14 Mar 12
Well they seem to treat our section of the store like we're still children. We get in trouble if we talk to each other, even when customers aren't around. I'd be curious to see what they'd be like if workers from the other parts of the store got caught with phones because I really do think they treat us a bit differently and act like we're incapable children, even though we pretty much run our side of the store.
1 person likes this
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
13 Mar 12
That's probably your manager's way of handling it. I don't know if it's right or wrong but I think you should just be thankful all you got was that and not something more serious. I mean you broke the policy here, and it's an offense to the company. I do understand how you feel about it and it was probably right that you had a word with other manager about how you want things like that to be dealt with regards to you.
1 person likes this
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
14 Mar 12
Yes, I did break the rules and I'll probably get written up for it too. I was just shocked that they would actually take my phone away. I didn't think it was any way to deal with the situation.
1 person likes this
@Novelangel (394)
• United States
13 Mar 12
It's like when you go to the movies and they tell you to turn off your phone. If I had to have my phone with me while working, I would at least turn it off while on the job. It could always be turned on again during my breaks. I would not like it much if the phone was removed from my possession either but rules are rules so it's kind of a live and learn moment in that regard.
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
14 Mar 12
I usually keep my phone on silent and I only check it when there aren't any customers around. I'm usually able to keep an eye out for managers, but this one just snuck up on me and I couldn't do anything
1 person likes this
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
14 Mar 12
I don't think that the manager was treating you like a child. If cellphones are prohibited in the workplace, you should have followed the regulation. Confiscation is one way of making workers follow company policies otherwise if you keep the cell phone inside your pocket you will be tempted to use it. When I was still employed, we used to ask the company guards to do an on the spot checking on those who insist on bringing cellphones inside the work area. Once found out, the cell phones are confiscated but returned once it is time to go home.
1 person likes this
@Caitiebaby (20)
•
13 Mar 12
I dont personally think that your Manager should have taken it away...but that is just me. I think you should have been reminded of the cell phone policy and been asked to put it away in your locker or where ever you store your stuff. Maybe they are just really trying to inforce their policy. I know my work has the same policy and it is hit or miss if you are caught. We are always just asked to put it up, off the floor.
1 person likes this
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
13 Mar 12
I would've been perfectly fine if she just told me to put it in my locker. I don't need to be treated like a high schooler and have my phone taken away from me. For some reason, it just got me so mad that someone would actually do that and I got irritated she took my phone from me and put it in a place I couldn't see it or know if it was being stolen or looked through by someone else.
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
14 Mar 12
Do you have a staff booklet or guidelines for employees written down that mentions this "No cellphones" policy,with the consequences for breaking the policy?
Did you sign a contract or something when you started,and agreed to accept the company rules?
Disregarding the rules of employment can get you disciplined,as you found out..Here,you get a couple of written warnings and you're out-I'm assuming you have something similar there.
While I agree it was kinda "High school" that your phone was confiscated,I must add,so's getting caught! Hopefully they returned it to you with the warning..
If you weren't aware of this Manager closing in on you while checking your phone,then they could be looking at the issue as if you might have been been blanking customers too.. (Maybe you were taking advantage of a quiet spell at the time?),but as you know,reading or texting messages takes you out of the moment..Has anyone else you know there had this happen to them?
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
15 Mar 12
I'm thinking if they're going to be enforcing these rules,You should be entitled to be on the same page with the management and be aware of what indiscretions it's possible for them to pull you up for,in case there's something else they might be watching for staff to do!
As you were surprised to have the phone confiscated,You can't have been expected to know that would happen,despite being aware of the "no cellphone" rule..
And it seems inconsistent of them when some people get sent home and others get to continue working,deprived of their phone..does it depend on which manager found the person using the phone?
If they haven't provided you with a staff rulebook,it sounds like you're kinda working in the dark...
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
20 Mar 12
I understand there are different rules for contracted employees and part timers,(Holiday allowances,hiring and firing and such) so it would depend which way you work that would dictate how things work out in your situation..If you have a contract,there are rules and obligations you and the employer agree to abide by..in situations like you have experienced,they must go "By the book" when disciplining staff..and you should be given a copy of that rulebook..
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
20 Mar 12
That's a really good point. I kind of figured you would just get written up for breaking that rule. But I've heard of some managers sending you home, some taking your phone, and others writing you up.
To me, they should be on the same page regarding their discipline policies, kind of like in parenting. I also wish they'd give us a hard copy of the rules to keep with us so we know exactly what they can and can't do to us when we get in trouble.
@dandan07 (1906)
• China
14 Mar 12
I do not think the manager has the right to take your phone away.
From your states, it is your fault to use cell phone on the sales floor. It is against the company rule. So you should be punished for your wrong behavior. But your cell phone is your personal fortune, no one have the right to take it away with you. The manager can punish you, but she do not have the right to punish you in that way.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
14 Mar 12
I work for a grocery store, and I won't use my phone when it's during the day and a lot of people are there, but when it gets night and I am the only one on the front end, or the only cashier on the front end I'll use it. Tonight I work until midnight, and around 11 pm I go to an area of the store in the front end and use my phone. Camera's aren't pointing towards me there, atleast none that I've spotted.
I will also go to where the magazines are on each endcap of the registers and use it there. They really can't say anything if I've done all my work and no one is around (customer wise) to see me use it.
I doubt they would take my phone away from me, but if they did I would be very upset. It is childish to take the phone away like we are school aged children.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
21 Mar 12
Although you broke the rules, and you got caught, I agree that it was childish to take your phone away. She should have said where it was going to be placed after she takes it. It is your property still.
She could write you up, and put it in a safe place, but at the end of the day, she should still give it back to you (and let you know before hand, where it's going to be).
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
22 Mar 12
Exactly, I don't think it should've been taken from me. Either write me up, make me put it away, or send me home. But whatever you do, don't take my stuff away from me like I'm a child. I thought it was a bit ridiculous to take my stuff from me.
@shylade (3132)
• Philippines
14 Mar 12
if it is written on your company rules that your cellphone will be confiscated when you use it during working hours then fine. but if it is not the you should not give your phone. it is either you will receive a warning first first or a memo. you are right, you are professionals and mature enough so your cellphone should not confiscated unless otherwise written in a memo.
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
14 Mar 12
I'm not sure if it's actually written in the policy to take phones away. All I know is that we're not supposed to have them
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
14 Mar 12
As you said, you violated company policy. If I remember correctly, you were a bit afraid of being laid off, unless I'm getting people mixed up. We've had a fair amount of excitement here this week, so my brain may be a bit scrambled. If you want to keep your job, even if it's not your favorite job, you'd better follow the company policies -- even if you are bored. If the boss can sneak up on you, so could a customer. And nothing upsets a customer like seeing the person she expects to help her using the phone for personal matters or socializing with another staff person instead of seeing to her needs.. You are there for the customers and what the boss wants you to do. In this economy, I wouldn't risk losing your job. Losing your phone for a day is better than getting fired.
