Originally Posted by
Timber_8
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I have let employees go for not keeping there phones that I pay for on at all times even when they are off the clock. In the world we live in today communication plays a vital role
Originally Posted by
Timber_8
Well not really, I give people $40 bucks a month toward their phone bill and supply a phone of their choice and it belongs to them forever but even if I wanted the phone back all that information is on the symcard. The phone is in the employees name and it is there account. I am paying $40 a month toward their phone bill regardless of what they want for service. If they do not want to do that then don't work for me. It is a job requirement and part of the deal you make with me on hire. Most people all ready have cell phones so it is usually a bonus for people. I think it is a pretty fair deal but if I call you it is for a reason so you better answer the phone. The people that I require to have Blackberry or smart phone accounts Get almost another $100 a month and again it is their smart phone.
Originally Posted by
Timber_8
I don't believe that is what I said. I don't have people on call and I don't call people 24/7, I was being rather vague. You have no idea the kind of work I do or the demands of my employees. I do however need to reach them constantly while they are on the clock. Since most of my employees spend there day out on the road it is vital that we have communication. If you think that there is a better way I would be very interested to entertain your suggestions. Your assumption of my attitude to the rights of my employees and the expectations I have of them is not very accurate.
I'm sorry if I've gotten the wrong impression, (it's easy to do on a forum like this) but it was based on what you posted above. It sounded to me like your employees are expected to take your call whether they are off the clock or not. Seems like being on call to me.
I didn't get the impression you were some sort of tyrant or evil boss. Other things you've posted made it clear that you care about your employees. I guess that's what I find so insidious about this stuff. The people I know at my job who think nothing of calling people on a Sunday to help them out with something at work aren't evil people either. One of them used to be my boss and for the most part was very pleasant to work for. But when she called, helping her out wasn't exactly optional. While I'm not in a position where I get calls from her anymore, some of my staff do. I've told them when you're out on a date with your significant other or something, don't feel obligated to take her or anyone else's call from work including mine. I'll deal with the fallout.
There are exceptions. We sometimes do have critical things going on in the evening or weekend but in that instance we tell people in advance that a phone call may be coming if there's a problem. In that case I would expect them to answer or get back to us quickly. Maybe that's what you're talking about.
Now of course I have no idea what you do for a living and turning off a phone could have severe consequences for somebody's safety, but lots of businesses have informal policies like yours, including ones where missing a call has no consequences that anyone would remember after a few days or weeks.
On rare occasions I will call somebody outside of work if the situation warrants it. But if I can't reach them, the world goes on.