Social Media while on the job

[lubiemama]

Does anyone have in their manual a statement on not using social media while on the job? And if so the consequences?

It's one thing to promote the business on their own time, it's another to have random posting of their tattoo's etc during work hours.

My concern is being under a $100 car or a $100,000. RV and not paying attention to the oil plug etc. We state no Cell Phones, but since we are absentee owners - and my manager is multi-tasking and can't babysit-- I am the one that see's the posts.

He tried to block me, silly boy- I know people that know him and have access to seeing his fb posts.

Suggestions? TIA

[mmotley]

Fire him...

[Joe Marconi]

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[KMS]

If he good employee besides that, give him a chance, but get it in writing. If he hasn't personally cause any issues with customer's cars yet, pull him aside and give him an talking too. Tell him that if you ever catch him again - he is gone. No excuses!

[hddm3]

wow people multi task all the time. whats the problem? your going to fire a technician over sm? wow

[mmotley]

wow people multi task all the time. whats the problem? your going to fire a technician over sm? wow

No, he is going to fire him for not doing what he was told to do... Period, end of story. You write the pay checks at the end of the, you tell the employees what to do. If they don't listen, they have to leave.

[hddm3]

Sure glad I have never worked for a baby sitter like you. I'm sure you have people shacking in there boots and wondering if they will get fired every time they turn around. Thank god we have therapist for people like you. Take care and don't forget your pills.

[mmotley]

Sure glad I have never worked for a baby sitter like you. I'm sure you have people shacking in there boots and wondering if they will get fired every time they turn around. Thank god we have therapist for people like you. Take care and don't forget your pills.

No need to be rude. I'm simply trying to explain what I said.

 

I for one, don't mind if my employees use social media while at work (as long as it doesn't interfere with their performance). In fact, I don't mind if they get on Facebook using the company computers. However, if I asked them not to do it anymore and they ignored me, I would have no other choice.

 

See, if they ignore your rule about social media and there are no consequences, why would they follow any of your other rules like showing up on time or taking lunch when they are supposed to. I'm not saying to fire someone the second they break a rule, but if you have verbally warned and provided a written warning, maybe it's time to send them home for 1-3 days without pay. If they still refuse, then you don't have much of a choice left.

[GMSteve]

Lets not forget what is expected of our techs when they are at work. WORK!!! Not play time.. You do need to make sure they know what is expected of them, and what is policy. Once that policy is set, we are all adults and should be able to fallow said policies...

[FROGFINDER]

Even when I was on vacation and I might chat with the manager at a restaurant, hotel, shop etc and the most common statement was "I CAN'T FIND ANYONE THAT WILL WORK WITHOUT BEING CONNECTED"

 

We live in a digital world where employees are in cyberspace or thinking about being in cyberspace. They would hate to miss a good sexting.

Edited February 13, 2015 by FROGFINDER

[KMS]

It is a lot about performance. If a tech is turning the hours that you require, than it shouldn't matter. For that reason, you wouldn't mine if he was on SM. I do agree though when it's time to work, SM is shut off! If you don't listen there will be consequences.

[5 Star Auto Spa]

I totally agree with mmotley on this one. I would sit down to talk to him about the concerns but if he did not respect the rules of the shop, I would terminate that individual.......

[Mario]

If everything is caught up, I don't mind somebody hoping on their phone for a couple of minutes. We are all adults. I check my phone at work a few times a day.

[bluewater182]

My only issue is when FB, Twitter etc, interferes with work ( you know, the thing i PAY YOU to do)

[bstewart]

Wouldn't a production based pay structure reduce this to a negligible point?
If your techs know that they are getting paid based on efficiency vs a labour guide, they'd be far less likely to be on their phones wasting time?

 

I'd rather have a pay structure in place that penalizes someone for wasting time, rather then being "big brother" and criticizing everyone who pulls their phone out of their pocket.

[shumsauto]

I think even if you pay flat rate there should be a policy in place for limiting cell phone use. Its not about baby sitting, if your tech gets distracted and forgetting something causes an accident or let's say a drain plug that's left loose causes a seized engine WHO IS PAYING FOR IT ? You as an owner or the tech that says "sorry I was distracted, I'll take care of it"? If the liability was on the tech for "sh*t happens" then yes, use your phone and I will pay you flat rate BUT if the liability is on ME as a shop owner YOU will follow policies or you are out.

I am not saying fire somebody for touching the cell phone but if it's a habit and it doesn't stop after "the talk" he needs to go.

And if somebody tells me that they can "multi-task" and not get distracted then I wouldn't even try to argue with them, it's a lost cause and they are not being honest with me or themselves. In either case its a waste of time arguing with that person and it's time to let them go.

[KMS]

I think even if you pay flat rate there should be a policy in place for limiting cell phone use. Its not about baby sitting, if your tech gets distracted and forgetting something causes an accident or let's say a drain plug that's left loose causes a seized engine WHO IS PAYING FOR IT ? You as an owner or the tech that says "sorry I was distracted, I'll take care of it"? If the liability was on the tech for "sh*t happens" then yes, use your phone and I will pay you flat rate BUT if the liability is on ME as a shop owner YOU will follow policies or you are out.

I am not saying fire somebody for touching the cell phone but if it's a habit and it doesn't stop after "the talk" he needs to go.

And if somebody tells me that they can "multi-task" and not get distracted then I wouldn't even try to argue with them, it's a lost cause and they are not being honest with me or themselves. In either case its a waste of time arguing with that person and it's time to let them go.

 

That is a fair assumption.