Time to take employees cell phone away

[Gene $immons]

I have 3 cell phones on one account. The 3 phones are sharing 1000 minutes for around $90.00 a month total. I have been letting one of my best employees use the phone for a couple of years now, and he has done a good job in not talking too much. However, this month he blew it. He personally used around 900 of the 1000 minutes causing additional charges of the other phones due to him going over the minutes.

The normal bill is around $90.00. This month $425.00

His check is going to be very small this week.

I know, I know, Its my own fault for trusting too much.

Live and learn.

[rodfather]

From 90 clams to 425? Ouch, that's gotta hurt the pocketbook...

[r_rivera7272]

I'm surprised at the fact the someone could use 900 minutes in one month. What's next? Getting overcharged on unlimited minutes??!!

[Team Gopher]

Hi Gene $immons,

Sorry about that happening. That is a nice option you offered your staff.

[Mdirrigation]

I would look at the bill and see what phone calls were made during business hours for personal use and then deduct that amount of time from his pay also . Show him the bill .

[DanaMac]

I also let my employee use the cell for personal use, but I got the proper plan for it. Nextel is what we use, and his phone plan is $60, 600 anytime minutes, unlimited nighttime and weekend calls, and all incoming calls are free. So he has never gone over. I on the other hand, have gone over in the past. So I changed my plan at that point. Talk to him about splitting the charges and take it out of 2-3 checks instead of one.

[TREEGODFATHER]

Sounds like he might have had something going on. I'd certainly make him pay the overage, but I'd see what the scoop was before I start slapping his hand.

[Lux Lawn]

Sounds like he took advantage of a good thing.

[MudslinginFX4]

Originally posted by r_rivera7272
I'm surprised at the fact the someone could use 900 minutes in one month. What's next? Getting overcharged on unlimited minutes??!!


I used 2200 phone minutes last month and an additional 600 nextel direct connect minutes. :) No extra charge though, it's all part of my plan.

[olderthandirt]

2200 phone min.? you need to start to work lol

Mac

[1MajorTom]

Originally posted by olderthandirt
2200 phone min.? you need to start to work lol

Mac

It sounds like a whole heck of a lot of minutes. I added in the 600 taking it up to 2800 mins a month. Do the math, and it turns out to be about 1.5 hours per day. I guess breaking it down that way it doesn't sound so bad.

[Turf Medic]

2200 min don't sound all that bad, my phone plan is unlimited and usually runs about 4000+ min/month, primary phone though, our wired line is used only for DSL internet

[crawdad]

Originally posted by 1MajorTom
It sounds like a whole heck of a lot of minutes. I added in the 600 taking it up to 2800 mins a month. Do the math, and it turns out to be about 1.5 hours per day. I guess breaking it down that way it doesn't sound so bad.

An hour and a half a day on the phone, "not bad" ??
If you work in an office, maybe. If you're working, or driving, not good at all.

Crawdad

[DanaMac]

This last bill came to about 1300 cell minutes, and 900 direct connect minutes.

[Gene $immons]

UPDATE

Phone was taken away with no problemo. He understood the situation.

Question. Do any of you use two way radio or pagers to contact the other crews?

[Trevors Lawn Care]

could have had a family emergency where his wife/mother ended up in the hospital and since he was such a dedicated worker he could only call to see if they were doing OK?

Its kinda hard to judge things like this...there are just so many x's and y's to fill in.

I underrstand you took the phone away already.

trevor

[J Haugner]

That is only 30 minutes a day. Maybe he has a girlfriend. No evenings weekends free? He should pay the overage but do it overtime if he is a good worker. Do you know what it cost to find and train a new worker? Thousands!

[CamLand]

Originally posted by J Haugner
Do you know what it cost to find and train a new worker? Thousands!


please tell me how it costs thousands to train a new employee?:confused:

[Mike Fronczak]

He's right on the thousands part. To find & train a dedicated employee cost losts of time & money. You'll probably go through ten before you find one worth a sh*$, then minimum a season to get them trained & effecient at tasks. If it were me I'd have talked to him first find out whats up (had phone for 3 years & this is the first time). Depending on our discussion (reasons given), I may of picked up the tab.

[Gene $immons]

I like the way these discussions always turn into a pizzin match.

1. I am under no obligation whatsoever to provide my employees with a cell phone. HE BLEW IT

2. There was no medical emergency

3. Workers like him are a dime a dozen, I have STACKS of applications, and lawn care is not hard to teach, lets face the facts. It does not cost thousands of dollars to train a new employee.

4. Those of you who want to bust my balls, send me your phone number, you can pay for his phone bill, since its no big deal. I have other expenses.