Cell phone policy

[steve]

I am wondering what other stores' policy is about cell phone use by employees.  We have a new batch of employees that seem to want to text over helping customers.

[Hamlin]

I have a real strict policy that our customers are first and foremost.  100% of our focus has to be on them...

[steve]

I agree.  I think the phones should be left in the car.  Do you have a written policy?

[IVR]

No employee cell phones allowed in the stores. Leave it in the car or at home. If someone needs to reach an employee in an emoergency then they should know how to call the store number.

[MerlinMikey]

IVR - Ditto! I hate cell phones. I even have a sign by the counter that reads, "If you are on your cell phone, we will help the next person in line behind you!

[moviesgamesetc]

I really don't like cell phones either. They have made contacting ppl harder not easier. No one ever answers their cells.
While I don't have the employee problem, customers on cell phones burn me up. It makes me feel like I'm being rude and interrupting their calls. I don't think a sign like Merlin's would fly for me though. It would just tick ppl off.

[MerlinMikey]

It doesn't tick them off at all! Most people laugh and say "Right On". Some of my customers that own other businesses that deal directly with the public have incorporated it into their stores. The ones I notice that like to have their cell phones glued to their ears are the 16-20 something year olds. I guess as you get older you learn cell phone etiquette.

[steve]

"While I don't have the employee problem, customers on cell phones burn me up. It makes me feel like I'm being rude and interrupting their calls."

That is exactly the problem for customers.  They are made to feel like they are interrupting the employee.  Young people are so used to their phones and being in constant contact with friends, that they don't even realize they are being rude.  I had an employee check a text message right in the middle of a transaction!  Couldn't he have even waited 30 more seconds until he was finished with the customer?

[MerlinMikey]

I don't have the problem with employees either, but if one of mine checked a text message during a transaction....I'd probably send a text to that employee on his phone that would say, "you check another text message while on my dime, you will be fired".

[moviesgamesetc]

For me that employee would definitely be out the door ASAP! There are too many good people looking for steady work these days. I may do everything myself these days but I've managed a big sales staff before in other business and employees need to know that they are replaceable.

[CHICAGOTOM]

I think Jim Keyes reads this board...LOL

http://www.ihateblockbuster.com/forum/showthread.php?s=c71beec5a2a698caabb19e6c032a8320&t=10631

[paladin]

For me that employee would definitely be out the door ASAP! There are too many good people looking for steady work these days.

A-freakin'-MEN! Not much pushes my P'd-Off button as hard as rude kids (and sometimes adults) behind the counter when I go to a store or restaurant. I've never liked to be a heavy-handed boss but sometimes you have to set your people straight. (sometimes customers too )

Tom that's just funny!

[PSV]

I bought a cell phone jammer, its awesome, cell phones don't work in the store!

[Hamlin]

I want one

[steve]

Where did you get the jammer and aren't they illegal?