Policy: Use of Telephones & Cellular Telephones

POLICY

Section:

Policy: Use of Telephones & Cellular Telephones

Origination Date:

Revision Date:

STATEMENT OF POLICY

Office telephones are a vital part of our business operation. Because of the large volume of business transacted by telephone, personal use of the telephone should be limited and personal calls should be brief. While employee personal cellular telephones are not strictly prohibited in our workplace, personal cellular usage must be limited in the same way that personal calls on their office telephone is limited. Cellular telephones may be furnished to certain employees in connection with their job duties. This policy about cellular phone usage applies to any device that makes or receives phone calls, leaves messages, sends text messages, surfs the Internet, or downloads and allows the reading of and responding to e-mail whether the device is company-supplied or personally owned. Employees who violate this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

PROCEDURES

Personal long distance calls must be billed to the employee’s home phone or credit card or placed collect.

Business long-distance telephone calls should be charged to the telephone credit card provided to the employee by (Organization Name). Personal telephone calls should never be charged to the employee’s telephone credit card unless the employee is away on business for more than two (2) days. When the employee is traveling, it is permissible to make a brief call home every other evening.

Employees who are issued cellular telephones by (Organization Name) should make all long distance telephone calls while traveling on such cellular telephones. Employees need to limit personal use of their cellular telephone in the same way they need to limit personal use of their office telephone.

(Organization Name) requires the safe use of its cellular telephones by employees while conducting business. Employees who are issued cellular telephones will also be issued an earphone/microphone adapter for increased safety and convenience. The employee should not use the cellular telephone while driving because of safety concerns but should instead pull to the side of the road to make or receive cellular telephone calls. If an employee is unable to pull over or stop before receiving a cellular telephone call, they should use the earphone/microphone for increased safety, keep the business conversation brief and immediately locate a safe area to park their vehicle. (Organization Name) does not permit employees to drive while using a hand-held cellular telephone. This prohibition while driving applies to and includes receiving or placing calls, text messaging, surfing the Internet, receiving or responding to e-mail, checking for phone messages, or any other purpose related to your employment; our customers; our vendors; volunteer activities, meetings, or civic responsibilities performed for or attended in the name of the organization; or any other organization or personally-related activities not named here while driving. Please be aware that in some local or state locations, text messaging while driving is against the law. Any monetary penalty as a result of such text messaging shall be the sole responsibility of the employee caught breaking the law.

During work time, employees are not permitted to use personal cellular telephones. These personal telephones should only be used during breaks and meal times.

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