I own a restuarant. I have employees who when given the opportunity, text message their friends.?

Question

What are alternatives to limit or stop this completely. We have allowed them to use it on breaks, but sometimes during slow hours, they sneak them out. It is annoying. If one does it, they all want to do it. Should we just eliminate cell phones completely while at work including breaks?

Answer 1

yep...if they can't play by the rules..then ban them altogether.

Answer 2

I'm not sure how you would enforce the no cell while on break, but Yes, no cell phones during working hours and decide before hand what you are willing to do when they get caught.
Put it all on paper as a new work policy and even have them sign a statement that they received and agree to this new ruling. If they have to use a phone during work, then have them use a company phone.
You wouldn't let them play games or watch TV just because it's slow, would you?
As a past manager, there was always something that needed to be done especially cleaning.

Answer 3

No I don't think that you should eliminate the cell phones, after all they need to communicate especially if something bad happens, but if you do want this to stop I suggest that you set up rules for the employees. You could say that if one employee was caught on their cell phone during slow business you could give them a warning and say that the next time it happened that they would not get their cell phone until the end of the day or unless they promised never to use it during their working hours. But if it did go past the second warning then you could say that you will not allow that/those person/people to bring their cell phone to work. If they started to ''make their breaks longer'' then you could do the same thing but if it started to happen to often then you could completely ban cell phones.

Answer 4

There is no NEED for staff to communicate via their mobile phones while on duty. If there is an emergency and someone needs to reach them, they will via land line or leave a message. I would totally ban phones during work hours and make it clear that this applies to all staff. I would however allow them during breaks, but stipulate only in certain areas (outside or in locker room) , so they cannot sneak them when back on duty. Make sure that there are severe consequences if these rules are broken and enforce them.

Think of it and explain it this way - if I was a patron and saw my waiter sneaking a text message I would be annoyed and would not return to your establishment. Good luck.

Answer 5

Here is my philosophy: rules aren't created until they are required. So, you gave them freedom to use their phones during breaks. They are abusing that by using their phones when they shouldn't be. As such, they have lost their freedom and should not get to use phones at all, including during breaks.

You might want to let employees know that you are planning on doing this if you see any more texting during work hours before you actually instigate this rule. But make sure you follow through or they'll think you're a pushover and will continue to abuse company rules.

Answer 6

Well, if there is work to be done they should not be on the phone. I use to work in the restaurant business and it really got to me when fellow workers would take smoking breaks etc. and all non smokers where suppose to keep working and had to make up for their lack of presents.
As long as the workers can be reached via your business phone you can request for all cell phones to be turned off. Most restaurants I know have no cell phone policies. I would think that applies to staff. I would hate sitting in a restaurant to hear the staff phones going off all the time. In the end it is your money.
It is difficult to keep good staff you need to outweigh the benefit and the negatives. Perhaps set up rules you all can live with.

Answer 7

First off you should understand this is the information generation. That happens at every job.
But if you really don't like it, put in rules about that and some strict disciplinary actions for the offenders.

Also demand that all workers use the company phone or just use their cell phones during breaks and not when the work is slow.

Answer 8

Institute a policy such that if they are seen with a cell phone out then they get docked 30 minutes pay; that way they will keep the cell phones away except for emergencies. That is what I would do.

Or fire them and hire me. I'm a cook to graduate from culinary school at the end of January, and I have 3 years experience.

Answer 9

I work at a restaurant, (in the kitchen) and my boss has decided that it would be a good idea to not allow cell phones in the kitchen. He said that if a loved one needs to get a hold of us, they should call the restuarant phone (we have two lines). We have one dishwasher who is always taking his cell phone out to either answer it or to stare at what time it is. If you have lockers or somewhere the staff can lock up their belongings, you should just have them keep the phones there, and then on breaks they can get their phones out and use them then.

Answer 10

I would say to eliminate cell phones at all times during work hours. They can still use them on their breaks but if its seen during work time, there should be some sort of punishment like working a bad shift (during the dinner rush) or something like that.

Answer 11

I think there is a time and place for text messaging and work is not one of them. As a customer, when I see employees texting or chatting I find it offencive. I tend to think these people are fooling around and not doing their job. I can get better service elsewhere.

Something to think about though, Is it just my generation who feels this way? I am 36 years old. Ask the younger people and they do not seem to think like this. I think if you ask people older then me they will agree with me or feel even more negatively about it. Depending on the clientele of your restaurant you should consider all three opinions.