To think that you shouldn't be on your phone in work time?

user143677433 · 21/03/2021 20:30

I thought the same a while ago, but then decided it was just me not moving with the times.

I decided to look at it as equivalent to reading a book. So, if I went back to the dim and distant past of my youth, would I have been OK with a bored checkout operator reading a book when the till was quiet, or a train guard on a half empty train, no. But would I have expected them to do it when busy and with customers present, no.

user143677433 · 21/03/2021 20:30

🤦‍♀️ yes, yes I would have been OK with it if it was quiet and they were bored.

SquigglePigs · 21/03/2021 20:32

In the roles you mention I'd be surprised at people on their phones. When I worked on the checkouts as a student there was no way we'd be allowed phones!!

MadMadMadamMim · 21/03/2021 20:33

I'm with you, OP.

I'm old and can't get the idea that it's acceptable to be glued to your phone when you're being paid to work, but I like users analogy!

(Although to me, if you're on a supermarket till then it's never quiet enough for you to be reading)

B33Fr33 · 21/03/2021 20:34

I wouldn't take my personal phone to work. How weird. Think of the data you'd be leaking about your life? I'd also never link work on social media or make myself searchable. Definitely need to keep work and private life separate.

HollowTalk · 21/03/2021 20:37

There was a programme on TV a couple of years ago where they were talking to a company in Germany. A lot of the staff there had worked in England and couldn't believe that phones were in use in the office, in factories, when customers were present etc. They were completely gobsmacked.

TrustTheGeneGenie · 21/03/2021 20:45

@B33Fr33

I wouldn't take my personal phone to work. How weird. Think of the data you'd be leaking about your life? I'd also never link work on social media or make myself searchable. Definitely need to keep work and private life separate.

Eh? What do you think they're going to do?

Do you never need to ring or text anyone when you're at work?

What's the point of a mobile if you leave it at home?!

RootyT00t · 21/03/2021 20:49

@stuckinarutatwork

I've been self-employed for years so am probably a bit out of touch with the real working world but I'm often bemused by how many people working in customer-facing roles I see on their phones whilst working. Recent examples:

The security guard on the door at Tesco who had his eyes down and glued to the screen the whole time I was queuing to get in (5 mins).

The cashier in Lidl was glancing at his crotch for quite some time when I was waiting to pay. I presume he was looking at a phone rather than admiring his Crown Jewels.

The parking attendant behind the desk at the hospital was watching YouTube videos on her phone and scowled when I disturbed her after waiting patiently and being ignored for a few minutes.

The conductor / ticket man on the train was leaning against the door and scrolling through his phone the entire time I was travelling. This was a journey of around 7 minutes between two stations where there's no ticket office or machine, so you have to buy a ticket on the train. Result for me as I got a free ride .

AIBU to think that if I employed these people I'd be mighty pissed off as they can't possibly be doing their jobs properly whilst glued to the tech

The train one is really, really common.

negomi90 · 21/03/2021 20:55

I use my phone in work a lot. To look things up and to text and call my bosses. For me a lot of the time I'm on my phone in work, I'm actually doing work related things.

RaphaTwat · 21/03/2021 20:59

I’m fine with occasional usage tbh. What I wouldn’t be ok with is constant usage. I know someone in senior role that spends hours a day chatting to her exes and/or stalking. Her colleagues from her last place raised complaints against her and she was eventually sacked. Still hasn’t learnt.

More than anything it’s just highly unethical.

FFSAllTheGoodOnesArereadyTaken · 21/03/2021 21:32

Are you sure they're not doing anything work related? For example I work in an office and we are supposed to update certain systems though our phone on customer visits. In the office our computer systems are hyper sensitive and often wont let us google things we really need to, to be able to do our jobs so often I'm googling something. I also use the calculator on my phone as the ones we are given in work sometimes dont have enough digits.

VerySmileySarah · 21/03/2021 21:49

This has just reminded me about a lady working on the help desk at my local train Station a couple of years ago was watching porn on her phone while answering passenger questions. At one point what I think was her Manager came over & told her off for eating but said nothing about the phone.

Original poster

stuckinarutatwork · 21/03/2021 22:03

@FFSAllTheGoodOnesArereadyTaken

Are you sure they're not doing anything work related? For example I work in an office and we are supposed to update certain systems though our phone on customer visits. In the office our computer systems are hyper sensitive and often wont let us google things we really need to, to be able to do our jobs so often I'm googling something. I also use the calculator on my phone as the ones we are given in work sometimes dont have enough digits.

Well no, I can't be 100% sure. But in the case of the security guard, surely his job is to keep an eye on the people coming and going through the entrance to the store? He didn't look up once in the 5 mins I was there and was scrolling with one thumb rather than typing. I'd put money on it that he was browsing social media rather than doing work. And the car park lady was watching and laughing at a video. I doubt it was work.

OP posts:

bitofaheadache · 21/03/2021 22:18

Even in my role as a supermarket assistant we are now encouraged to use our phones to check prices, barcode numbers and stock levels.
Customers are shocked when I get my phone out to check something but it is much quicker than waiting for a supervisor to come to the till or go searching for a manager on the shop floor.
The security officer could be monitoring security cameras.

DavidsSchitt · 21/03/2021 22:24

The security team where I work all use their phones for work related tasks.

Ibizafun · 21/03/2021 22:35

What about cleaners? I catch mine on hers the whole time.

FuckyouCovid21 · 21/03/2021 22:41

I use my phone at work during quiet periods, no-one has an issue with it but then I'm not customer facing

RootyT00t · 21/03/2021 22:42

@Ibizafun

What about cleaners? I catch mine on hers the whole time.

🙄

BackforGood · 21/03/2021 23:03

YANBU in any of your examples.

There will be bound to be people who have legitimate reasons to be on their phones at work, but, as a manager, I would be asking them what they thought they were being paid for.

oldegg123 · 21/03/2021 23:30

Back in 2009 I worked in a independent clothes store and I vividly remember the store manger locking up my phone in the back room (along with hers which I guess made it somewhat acceptable).

She was a bit of dick in many ways tbh

lanthanum · 21/03/2021 23:50

A visiting bishop at our church was on his phone during the readings - I hope the others who noticed also realised that he was just following the reading on his Bible app!

TedMullins · 21/03/2021 23:54

@B33Fr33

I wouldn't take my personal phone to work. How weird. Think of the data you'd be leaking about your life? I'd also never link work on social media or make myself searchable. Definitely need to keep work and private life separate.

I don’t think your phone leaks data about your private life simply by being present in your workplace 🤔

Anyway, I agree it’s rude to be doing it while serving someone but I couldn’t get worked up about someone having a quick scroll if there are genuinely no customers. As long as they’re aware of their surroundings and communicate with you when they need to.

lljkk · 22/03/2021 00:00

We don't have a landline but am stuck with WFH, so if colleagues want to talk to me (not TEAMS or email) - then phone it is (or WhatsApp).

I've been WFH for a year & only just got a webcam & headphones (paid for by work). They certainly aren't going to cough up for me to have a work cellphone.

lljkk · 22/03/2021 00:02

ps: I tweet from a "personal" account for work. Twitter often is easier on the phone. Colleagues, Corporate comms team & other professional contacts all want my work-related tweeting to happen.

Nannyamc · 22/03/2021 00:07

As an employer phones should be kept in a backroom.Customers should get full attention. Staff do not always heed this and personal phone calls on the shop floor are unacceptable. I have had to caution staff over and over. I feel i pay for their time and in an emergency they can be contacted. It ia very rude to have phone on when dealing with clients