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Personal Calls
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I have an employee who is telling me that they are constantly distracted by employees making personal phone calls. While some calls are necessary (daycare issues, doctor's appts) apparently some emplo
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Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » Personal Calls
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Personal Calls
posted at 12/30/2009 6:03 AM EST
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Posts: 24
First: 5/24/2005 Last: 4/27/2010 |
I have an employee who is telling me that they are constantly distracted by employees making personal phone calls. While some calls are necessary (daycare issues, doctor's appts) apparently some employees are just sitting on the phone chatting with their friends. We don't have a formal policy nor does anyone in HR want to police the telephone habits of hundreds of employees. So, how do I make this employee "happy" without either composing a policy or emailing all staff to state the obvious - we don't pay you to be on the phone with your friends all day. Any guidance is appreciated! |
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Personal Calls
posted at 12/30/2009 6:18 AM EST
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Posts: 2146
First: 2/15/2006 Last: 9/14/2011 |
Where's the manager of the group? Are you the manager or HR? If it isn't you, does that person believe there is an issue? How is group productivity?
This could be pointing out some large areas that the company is losing money in: (1) that the manager isn't doing their job of managing (especially if the employee came to HR with the issue rather than their manager) (2) that there is a lot of lost work time/productivity I know you stated you didn't want a policy but here is ours just in case: "PERSONAL PHONE CALLS AND PERSONAL BUSINESS During business hours, you are requested to keep personal calls to an absolute minimum. No long distance or toll calls such as directory assistance, other than L Inc. business calls, are to be made from L Inc. telephones. If it is absolutely necessary that you make a toll call from work, you must charge it to your personal calling card or home number. Telephone records are subject to periodic review by management. If you need to leave the worksite to conduct personal business, you must first obtain permission from your immediate supervisor. This will allow him to make modifications to the work schedule if necessary and will keep him aware of your activities during the day. Personal visits of friends and family members to the worksite are discouraged." |
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Personal Calls
posted at 12/30/2009 6:34 AM EST
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Posts: 24
First: 5/24/2005 Last: 4/27/2010 |
davearnold - that's something I would like to ask her about further. I believe she only references the personal calls because she thinks that their inappropriate professionally, and due to their content, as well as from a productivity standpoint. She may find the business calls distracting as well but forgives those since they are a necessity. She did state that the employees at her previous job were just more considerate so it's my understanding that this hasn't bothered her in the past.
rrupert - thank you for the policy. I'm not sure it's something that I can enforce because I'm part of a much larger HR structure and am acting as a Business Partner for one of our locations. The most I could do at this point would be to send out an email to the office to ask them to be courteous but that's not enforceable and seems futile. There are two employees that she is specifically referencing and both of their supervisors are located in other states. It appears there are no productivity issues but their managers are not on site to see their subordinate's phone usage or hear the content of their calls. |
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Personal Calls
posted at 12/30/2009 6:42 AM EST
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Posts: 155
First: 8/24/2009 Last: 2/9/2010 |
Why is it HR's responsibility to enforce policy? That is managements responsibilit. Further, HR's role is to support management and give them the tools to be more effective.
If your role is to act as a the company policy police then that is not a business partner role. You are doing the dirty work while managers are doing the fun stuff. Guess who stays dirty? |
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Personal Calls
posted at 12/30/2009 6:48 AM EST
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Posts: 24
First: 5/24/2005 Last: 4/27/2010 |
Good point HRPro. You're absolutely right. But....I still probably won't be able to get a policy through all the red tape, especially since this is one problem for one person in one office. So with no policy, what's an HR person supposed to do with this "complaint"? How would you handle it in the absence of a policy? |
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Personal Calls
posted at 12/30/2009 6:52 AM EST
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Posts: 1771
First: 10/24/2002 Last: 9/14/2011 |
Talk to the chit-chatting employees' manager and recommend that he/she have a talk with his/her employees about wasting company time on personal phone calls. Tell the complaining employee what you've recommended. And then leave it at that. |
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Personal Calls
posted at 12/30/2009 6:56 AM EST
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Posts: 24
First: 5/24/2005 Last: 4/27/2010 |
hrbth - yes, I guess you're right. It wouldn't be so hard to speak with the manager if he/she was in this office but having the manager be out of state just screams "someone in this office is out to get you" and may not fix the problem if that reprimanding boss isn't here to monitor it. But, that probably is my only option, right? Thank you all for your feedback! Much appreciated!! |
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Personal Calls
posted at 12/30/2009 7:03 AM EST
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Posts: 155
First: 8/24/2009 Last: 2/9/2010 |
I'll start with a question...who is bringing the complaint to you? Is it the employee or the manager of the employee? If it is the employee direct them to their manager. If it is the manager then simply explain that they are responsible for productivity and therefore if they want to stop personal calls they have that authority.
Your role in this is nothing more than that. |
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