Using mobile phones in work
Discussion
Are you allowed/not allowed to use a personal mobile phone in work and how do you feel about it?
We are a small independent garage employing 6 people and we are currently looking for staff. In the last couple of weeks I have interviewed two people and our policy of not allowing the use of mobiles in work time did not go down well with either of them, one even told me he had to have his on in case there was a problem with one of his kids and the school had to contact him. I explained why I don't allow it and that the school could always call the workshop but the tone of the interview definitely changed. The other guy was quite dismissive and said he could not see what the problem was, and it had never been an issue at other work places. I think they can be a big distraction and it has been my policy for the thirty odd years I have been employing people. Talking to mates, who are not in the trade, the feeling I get is that I am being a bit old fashioned. Am I?
We are a small independent garage employing 6 people and we are currently looking for staff. In the last couple of weeks I have interviewed two people and our policy of not allowing the use of mobiles in work time did not go down well with either of them, one even told me he had to have his on in case there was a problem with one of his kids and the school had to contact him. I explained why I don't allow it and that the school could always call the workshop but the tone of the interview definitely changed. The other guy was quite dismissive and said he could not see what the problem was, and it had never been an issue at other work places. I think they can be a big distraction and it has been my policy for the thirty odd years I have been employing people. Talking to mates, who are not in the trade, the feeling I get is that I am being a bit old fashioned. Am I?
Yeah, i'd say you are going to have to loosen up on that a bit. Definitely bring it up at interview stage that you expect your staff to work diligently and efficiently as they can. Then keep an eye on the status over the first several months during the so called 'bedding in' period.
But I would have thought it is not sustainable going forward to ban them outright.
My daughters school call me every once in a while to come and collect her. The school expect parents to be available and respond fairly quickly.
But I would have thought it is not sustainable going forward to ban them outright.
My daughters school call me every once in a while to come and collect her. The school expect parents to be available and respond fairly quickly.
It is a difficult one.
I am with the OP in that a lot of employees seem to be unable to not look at their personal mobile for more than a minute or two. I started work well before mobiles and personal calls to the work landline didn't happen unless it was an emergency.
Perhaps it needs a policy or maybe give them a basic work mobile phone which they can use during the work day.
One thing I have noticed is that schools tend to call parents for the slightest thing.
I am with the OP in that a lot of employees seem to be unable to not look at their personal mobile for more than a minute or two. I started work well before mobiles and personal calls to the work landline didn't happen unless it was an emergency.
Perhaps it needs a policy or maybe give them a basic work mobile phone which they can use during the work day.
One thing I have noticed is that schools tend to call parents for the slightest thing.
peterperkins said:
No. They are a distracting PITA. The car fell off the lift onto Jim because Fred was updating FB etc.
They can give the workshop number to those that need it for emergencies. (School etc)
Obviously on lunch/tea break they can check messages if they want.
Worse yet, imagine all them idiots doing TikTok videos in the garage?They can give the workshop number to those that need it for emergencies. (School etc)
Obviously on lunch/tea break they can check messages if they want.
Little Pete said:
Are you allowed/not allowed to use a personal mobile phone in work and how do you feel about it?
Talking to mates, who are not in the trade, the feeling I get is that I am being a bit old fashioned. Am I?
Yes of course we allow employees to use their mobile phones - they're not 8 years old.Talking to mates, who are not in the trade, the feeling I get is that I am being a bit old fashioned. Am I?
I can't think of too many places that would ban them. A cardio surgery team maybe - not great to be on Facebook in the middle of a bypass.
Having a mobile phone for taking important incoming calls is part of life and you should allow it during working day unless H&S issues or security issues.
Using a mobile device and using it for other media activities, this is where you need to lock down your policy. No video calls or content allowed. No web browsing. No social media. No texting. Phones to be out of hand at work space. Want to make a call…. Leave the office. Be seen to ask manager.
Emergencies are covered by taking a call.
Enforce it with your policies. We were lucky enough to have a recent change in security practices that have banned phones from the office (rightly so, no arguments). Productivity has boomed. People haven’t left. No one, so far, has died. No emergencies have occurred that weren’t dealt with.
Using a mobile device and using it for other media activities, this is where you need to lock down your policy. No video calls or content allowed. No web browsing. No social media. No texting. Phones to be out of hand at work space. Want to make a call…. Leave the office. Be seen to ask manager.
Emergencies are covered by taking a call.
Enforce it with your policies. We were lucky enough to have a recent change in security practices that have banned phones from the office (rightly so, no arguments). Productivity has boomed. People haven’t left. No one, so far, has died. No emergencies have occurred that weren’t dealt with.
GT03ROB said:
Yip, you is being a bit draconian.
However there does need to be guidance about what is & is not acceptable use wise.
15 mins on Facebook or whatever an hour, not acceptable.
Couple of texts a day not an issue. Texting every 10 mins not acceptable.
GT03ROB is probably about right.However there does need to be guidance about what is & is not acceptable use wise.
15 mins on Facebook or whatever an hour, not acceptable.
Couple of texts a day not an issue. Texting every 10 mins not acceptable.
Allow personal mobiles for employees, but have a general rule about expecting professionalism and diligence. If someone is clearly using their mobile to the detriment of their work (either quality or quantity) then pick them up on it. If someone simply leaves their 'phone in their pocket and looks at it briefly over coffee then all is well.
I suspect that a blanket 'no phones' rule is not the way forward.
I part own a garage employing 7 people. Personal mobiles are allowed. The only time it was an issue was with our ex receptionist who seemed to be on social media or playing games most of the day. This was part of wider issues with her general approach and attitude and why she no longer works for us. It hasn’t been an issue with anyone else, including her replacement.
GilletteFan said:
Almost all the young people I've managed have been glued to their phones. They always listen to music in the office. I highly doubt I can get any more out of them. One day's work for a young professional takes about 30 minutes for an experienced hand 
Other interview red flags include rampant ageism.OP - why not run a trial, tell your existing staff that phones are now allowed and they are trusted to use their discretion on acceptable use and see how it goes.
I'm sure after a few weeks you'll see it hasn't become a problem and then you won't have to worry about putting off new recruits.
I'm sure after a few weeks you'll see it hasn't become a problem and then you won't have to worry about putting off new recruits.
If I was being interviewed, I'd take that your general attitude is you don't trust your staff. I wouldn't work somewhere like that.
You obviously don't want employees wasting all their time on their phones, but if they are there are likely bigger issues which confiscating phones won't resolve.
You obviously don't want employees wasting all their time on their phones, but if they are there are likely bigger issues which confiscating phones won't resolve.
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