Also, do they have the right to suspend and/or fire you for carrying a cell phone, even if you keep it on silent/vibrate and don't abuse it by making lots of personal calls? I know that employers are concerned about productivity, but why take cell phone privileges away when there are just as many people wasting time on computers (surfing the net or looking at porn when they think no one is watching) or taking excessive breaks to smoke outside! A cell phone may save a person's life, but it is of no use if the employee isn't allowed to carry it!
2007-12-29 18:34:02 · 16 answers · asked by Susan 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yes they can.
And if you brought one in to my shop it would be confiscated. You would only get it back after it was 'sanitized' to NSA standards. (Which means you will get some ash and melted bits of metal back.)
2007-12-29 18:53:31 · answer #1 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your right to carry a cell phone ends the moment you are on the clock. It wouldn't be an issue if people had never assumed they had the right to use personal cell phones on work time. It is a problem in many companies and schools. I was always allowed to carry a cell phone, but we needed them when we worked outside the office.
Comparing to other activities is not useful, it makes a person look childish "gee whiz, Johnny's wasting time on the computer, I should be able to waste time on my phone).
If somebody is, indeed, looking at porn on work computers, by the way, that needs to be reported to management, not as an argument for carrying a cell phone, but on its own, as the company can be held liable if illegal material is ever found on a company-owned computer. That legal problem could affect jobs, and indeed the very existence of a small company.
2007-12-29 18:52:39 · answer #2 · answered by Fred C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course they can ban the "privilege" of using a cell phone. It is a widespread problem in our society that employee's use personal cell phones while working, which leads to inactivity, and inattentiveness. I have actually let a couple people go because they spent an inordinate amount of time on "their" phones. If you want to talk on your phone, while at work, seek out management and ask them for clarification of the use of cells, some employer's actually do hire people who are "good on the phone". It's called telemarketing
2007-12-30 02:40:23 · answer #3 · answered by Paladins 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes they can, because they can make up their own rules and policies, and expect the employees to follow them.
The reason they don't allow cell phones is that it wouldn't help with productivity. Sure, you may not use it, but chances are good that there were a few other people who did use theirs, and would drop everything they were doing to answer the call, even if they were helping another customer.
In other words, the company doesn't want to pay you to sit around and chat with your friends, or risk that possibility.
2007-12-29 18:42:39 · answer #4 · answered by komodo_gold 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, you don't have to give your personal cell phone number to your boss. However, you need to give them your home phone number in case of an emergency. If her jobs requires her to be on duty, than the Company should provide a Company cell phone for her.
2016-04-02 01:36:03 · answer #5 · answered by Barbara 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they can. They "own" you so to speak when you are there. You have the right to have your e-mail read, your cell phone out of sight. You should give whomever your work number in case of emergencies and just explain to friends and family, no phone, call only as needed. Mine stays on silent and where I can see it to make sure there are no calls such as from my kids schools but it is never in use in case it is an emergency. Period.
2007-12-29 18:46:00 · answer #6 · answered by Luvbuz01 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Afraid so. I know it sucks, but the reason why some employees get away with wasting time on the computer is because their employer is more lenient. It just all depends on what kind of boss you work for.
2007-12-29 18:52:32 · answer #7 · answered by bsinfinite 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, your manager is your boss, and if you want to have your cell with you at all times, you should really check into that before getting the job. =)
2007-12-29 19:15:07 · answer #8 · answered by hellogoodbyeperson 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
uh...if you need to save a live at work...pick up a land line.
They can ban phones on the worksite; just as you are free to work at another company. YOU DON'T NEED A CELL PHONE ON YOU WHILE YOU WORK AT A DESK
2007-12-30 00:54:46 · answer #9 · answered by wizjp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they have the right. You are not suppose to do personal business on company time.
If you have personal things to tend to, you can do it during lunch or on breaks.
And, yes, they can fire you for breaking the rules.
2007-12-30 06:51:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes and yes. the definition of employee in a Legal dictionary is, "outdated term for servant" They are paying you for your time, you have to follow their rules. and yes, under free will employment, and employer can terminate you at any time without any cause.
2007-12-29 18:40:15 · answer #11 · answered by Girly Q 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋