employees cell useage??

[happy]

I supply my main mowing guy with a cell phone to use to be able to call him or him call me or if he needs to make a call to repair place or supply place(company use). He does not have a personal cell phone. I told him that I would give him 50 minutes per month out of the plan for his own personal use. What do you think about this? Should I not care how much personal calls he makes, and make it as a perk for him, or do you think I am fair in saying this?

[dura to the max]

i would not provide a phone free for him. when i had an employee that i had to provide a phone for (he was a loser to no end) it was blocked to where he could only use the walkie-talkie, and even that was taken out of his pay. he was 23 years old, live in girl friend, etc...he should have been able to take care of himself. i dont want to give my guys everything for free so that one, they understand that it is not something that i am required to do. and two, so that they will learn the value of money.

[nosparkplugs]

The business will ultimately be responsible for any overages. I have tried supplying cell phones, and regardless of the minutes in the plan. Personal use will increase with time, period. Most large cell companies are now running credit checks to open residential or commercial accounts. i would question why he does not have his own cell phone, maybe he's not credit trustworthy. I now offer $$$ to assist on getting an employee his own phone. Most want free handouts though.

I would say 50 minutes is on the low side.

[msfxJeep]

I've worked places where we were given a monthly stipend to cover the cost of a cell phone. In exchange, we were expected to be available.

It was a nice compromise because I didn't have to juggle 2 phones (1 business and 1 personal), and the company didn't have to worry about overages since the bills were in my name.

[POPO4995]

I have a spare phone that any of the guys can use. I have unlimited everything and that phone costs me about $10 per month more than just mine so it isnt a biggie. Phone stays in the trucks though, not a personal phone.

[Restrorob]

Why should a employee foot the bill (minutes) on their own phone to make it a convenience for their employer to be able to contact them while on the clock ?

My boss has cells in the office, When a driver or myself has to go out on the road we grab a cell from the office. If a employee is cought making excessive calls they are charged for the calls......

[dura to the max]

Why should a employee foot the bill (minutes) on their own phone to make it a convenience for their employer to be able to contact them while on the clock ?

My boss has cells in the office, When a driver or myself has to go out on the road we grab a cell from the office. If a employee is cought making excessive calls they are charged for the calls......

i agree. however it seems to me that the thread is directed more towards contacting employees while they are off the clock.

[nosparkplugs]

Why should a employee foot the bill (minutes) on their own phone to make it a convenience for their employer to be able to contact them while on the clock ?

My boss has cells in the office, When a driver or myself has to go out on the road we grab a cell from the office. If a employee is cought making excessive calls they are charged for the calls......

I have had employee's absolutely refuse to take responsibility for their excessive personal usage, and some have gotten anger when i docked their checks for personal use.

[happy]

This thread is meant for employee Personal cell useage while on the clock with a company provided cell phone to be able to get a hold of that employee while on the clock or for that employee to get a hold of me while on the clock. NIghts after 9pm and weekends are free, and verizon to verizon are free, and I told him that he could make as many free calls that he wanted. 50 minutes may not sound like a lot. I use about 1100 each month. I decided on 50 mins. because I figured 4 weeks in a month, 5 work days per week= 20 working days per month. If he wanted to call his wife briefly just to let her know that he would not be home right at 6 because he has a few more yards to do, then that is where the 50 mins. per month could help him out. It is my belief that it is not the owners responsability to provide a cell phone to employees for personal use, however I am sure that some do, but I have been bit by not putting a stipulation on the number of allowed personal mins. per month.

[txgrassguy]

First of all, a situation like this opens you (the business owner) to all sorts of both tax liabilities and allowable business deductions.
Before implementing a program like this, at a minimum engage the services of a competent tax preparer to discover what you may and may not be responsible for.
What I do is allow the crews to use the direct connect (wireless hand held cell phone) to talk to their family or what have you, and since the wireless part is free (aside from my subscription rate) and the amount of time unlimited - they are but an "alert" away.
All of this said, the crews knows when I want to talk with them they had better drop everything, including their johnson's, when I trigger an alert.
Best part is, no overages - no additional charges.
What you are suggesting is fraught with employee abuse potential - be warned.

[ericmcj31]

I give my main guy one-and it comes with like 400 mins. + unlimited incoming & walkie-talkie. I haven't really had an issue (yet-excessive personal talking on company time), but he's had this phone for about a year and a half. He has gone WAY over on his minutes before and I did foot the first time, but explained that he had X amount of minutes and if he passes them, then they're his responsibilty and his pay would be docked. He understood and went over a couple times, but agreeingly paid out of his check. I think that employees shouldn't be treated like babies, b/c they will start to act like one. Give them some responsibilty, but also keep a hand on them to help "guide" them.

[dura to the max]

I give my main guy one-and it comes with like 400 mins. + unlimited incoming & walkie-talkie. I haven't really had an issue (yet-excessive personal talking on company time), but he's had this phone for about a year and a half. He has gone WAY over on his minutes before and I did foot the first time, but explained that he had X amount of minutes and if he passes them, then they're his responsibilty and his pay would be docked. He understood and went over a couple times, but agreeingly paid out of his check. I think that employees shouldn't be treated like babies, b/c they will start to act like one. Give them some responsibilty, but also keep a hand on them to help "guide" them.

i think 400 is rather generous, but to each his own. i wouldnt give that many but thats just me.

the main reason im posting is b/c i think the latter part of what you said is absolutely right, guide them...i normally end up having to babysit though:cry::cry::cry:

[topsites]

I think if you wanted to give your supervisor something to cherish then you
should get him unlimited minutes and tell him he can keep the phone on him
and so long it's not on the clock he's welcome to use it for himself.

If he's worth that much to you.

And it will cost you a stiff 60-80 or so more dollars a month but you'll have peace of mind,
otherwise with that puny 50 minutes you'll be fretting about time overages and whether
he's using it for himself while on the clock.

Just my .002

[ericmcj31]

I agree-some days it feels like I'm more a baby sitter than a boss--that's why we're the BOSS and they're the employee. Some of the things I see frustrate me to no ends some days--but--I just look at the big scheme of things and think I have it a lot better than I did a few years ago (employee wise) and try to help them understand my logic.

[ericmcj31]

I think if you wanted to give your supervisor something to cherish then you
should get him unlimited minutes and tell him he can keep the phone on him
and so long it's not on the clock he's welcome to use it for himself.

If he's worth that much to you.

I thought about that as well.

[Runner]

I agree with Topsites. 50 minutes is only ASKING for overages. The phone IS a nice perk,...especially for someone who may not have one or be able to obtain one on a reasonable priced contract basis. You can add an extra with a decent amount of minutes for a very minimum amount anyway, so an adequate amount of minutes shouldn't be that bad of a thing. Afyter that, tell him he IS responsible for overages on his phone. A benefit for YOU with this, is that you can put tracking on that phone if you ever wanted. Personally, we don't use the two way...we found it to be basically useless. Nothing you can't do on regular open line, but the open line is more efficient for communication.

[Lawn Freak]

Seems to be like too much of a hassle to me. I think he should just save up and get his own. Heck he could buy one of those trac fone things that you just put minutes on like once a month

[barefootlawnsandlandscape]

I also agree with topsites. My leaders get a company phone. They are allowed to use it anytime off the clock. On the clock, business only. The additional lines to an unlimited plan are not that big of a deal.

I check the minutes on their phone every month and if I see they are using it for personal calls on my time they get warned, next time they are fired. Had to do this once, my empoyee used 1300 minutes in one month, was warned, 1200 the next month and was fired. Most of the time was logged on my clock.

The good employees will not take advantage of it and the added perk is worth the extra per month for a quality employee.

[mngrassguy]

It all boils down to responsibility. If you can't trust someone with a cell phone would you send them on the road with a $30,000 mower package? If they are using your company cell phone for personal use, then they are probably using your equipment on their own lawns.

[treegal1]

Ok first I think that the push to talk is the silliest thing ever!! its like 9 year old boys running around with walkey talkie's, is just so lame, and I think it went out in the 70 just after smokey and the bandit.IMO.

we use an unlimited phone( metro pcs ) we are local only and it works great, the phone is theirs and I just pay there bill for them, its only 35$ and they can talk till there jaw falls off for all I care. if they part company with me they can get there phone cost back from me it they return it.

I think that the biggest issue is the poor quality of employee that is out there. maybe we should ship a few americans to Mexico and get some real labor sent back.

[lawnman_scott]

It all boils down to responsibility. If you can't trust someone with a cell phone would you send them on the road with a $30,000 mower package? If they are using your company cell phone for personal use, then they are probably using your equipment on their own lawns.I couldnt agree more. I give my employee a phone and have a few of his most called numbers in my circle (alltel), so the minutes havent been a problem. Never gave him a set amount, but he isnt a moron either. I would be more worried about a truck and trailer full of equipment than if your cell phone bill goes up $17.84. Now if they are so stupid that they go nuts with it, maybe they shouldnt even be alone to work.

[lawnman_scott]

Ok first I think that the push to talk is the silliest thing ever!! its like 9 year old boys running around with walkey talkie's, is just so lame, and I think it went out in the 70 just after smokey and the bandit.IMO.
Please!!! You need to get with the times, the Dukes of Hazzard are still using them.

[cpel2004]

Why should a employee foot the bill (minutes) on their own phone to make it a convenience for their employer to be able to contact them while on the clock ?

My boss has cells in the office, When a driver or myself has to go out on the road we grab a cell from the office. If a employee is cought making excessive calls they are charged for the calls......

I agree with Restrorob, you should try nextel radios. Just put in your important contacts in the radio. Your problem is solved. Oh by the way I take cash or credit for the info.

[treegal1]

Please!!! You need to get with the times, the Dukes of Hazzard are still using them.I see what you mean!! I just found the Dukes of Hazzard on my I phone and down loaded into my palm, then blue toothed it to my lap top and into my network.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJCfUm21BsI

or if you realy want to be THE MAN,

http://www.real-time-vehicle-tracking.com/MARCUS_GPS_versus_Nextel_Phone.php

[NewHorizon's Land]

We have Verizon service. Any outside (not verizon AND PEAK HOURS) calls not to customers comes out of pay. Off peak are free so I dont care.

[openbook]

So he has no home phone? I would think if he uses it as his personal phone you should tell him to get his own cel and you credit him like half the monthly charge to use it for work purposes.

[txgrassguy]

So he has no home phone? I would think if he uses it as his personal phone you should tell him to get his own cel and you credit him like half the monthly charge to use it for work purposes.

This I most certainly would not do without clarifying a few issues first.
All of my trucks carry one direct connect phone with no minutes on them.
I have several spare phones as part of my package deal and I have allowed the family members of some of my crews access.
So far, no problems with this set up.
Prior to this the crews phones had minutes on them as part of the deal and they were always going over, calling long distance and just abusing the privilege.
So, no more minutes - just the wireless hand held.

[DuallyVette]

No good deed goes unpunished !!