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Cell/Smart Phone Access and Usage Policy
Statement
Cell phones are used by Tasteful Selections employees for internal and external communication. For the purposes of this policy, cell phones are understood to include any device that makes or receives phone calls, leaves messages, sends text messages, surfs the Internet, or downloads and allows for the reading of and responding to e-mail, whether the device is company supplied or personally owned.
Procedure
- Access to Company Supplied Cell Phones
1.1 Cellular phone services are provided to all employees deemed to require them based on demonstrated need and job function or to enhance company efficiency and provide safety and/or security. This includes but is not limited to management and safety advisors.
- Use of company Supplied Cell Phones
2.1 Tasteful Selections supplied cell phones, like other means of communication, are to be used to support company business.
2.2 Employees may use Tasteful Selections supplied cell phones to communicate with others inside and outside of the company when such communications are related to legitimate company activities and are within their job assignments or responsibilities, however, occasional personal calls are acceptable.
2.3 All communications using Tasteful Selections supplied cell phones – verbal, written or other – must meet professional standards of conduct.
2.4 Employees may use Tasteful Selections supplied cell phones for any legitimate safety, security or emergency purposes.
2.5 Employees shall not use Tasteful Selections supplied cell phones for illegal, disruptive, unethical or unprofessional activities (including conduct that may be considered harassing, discriminatory, or retaliatory), or for personal gain, or for any purpose that would jeopardize the legitimate interests of the Tasteful Selections or otherwise violate Company policies.
2.6 For all hourly non-exempt employees, all time spent using a Tasteful Selections supplied cell phone for work purposes is considered “compensable hours worked.” Employees are required to report and include any time spent working or performing services on behalf of Tasteful Selections. Employees are strictly prohibited from performing any “off the clock” work on behalf of the Company.
- Use of Personal Cell Phones
3.1 The use of personal cell phones for personal business is not permitted during work hours. As with any personal matter, employees are allowed to use their personal cell phone during breaks and meal periods for these purposes and to ensure that friends and family members are aware of Tasteful Selections’ policy.
3.2 All communications using personal cell phones during work hours, or conducted on Tasteful Selections property, or while on Tasteful Selections business – verbal, written or other – must meet company’s code of conduct.
3.3 Employees shall not use personal cell phones during work hours, on company property, or while on company business for illegal, disruptive, unethical or unprofessional activities (including conduct that may be considered harassing, discriminatory, or retaliatory), or for any purpose that would jeopardize the legitimate interests of Tasteful Selections or otherwise violate Tasteful Selections policies.
3.4 Tasteful Selections will not be liable for the loss of personal cellphones brought into the workplace.
3.5 Employees who are required or permitted to use a personal cellphone for business-related purposes shall be entitled to and provided with reasonable reimbursement for the use of that personal cell phone. Reasonable reimbursement shall be determined at the discretion of management. Employees will be provided with notification of the cell phone reimbursement as a line item on their regular wage statement.
3.6 For all hourly non-exempt employees, time spent using a personal cell phone for work purposes is considered “compensable hours worked.” Employees are required to report and include any time spent working or performing services on behalf of Tasteful Selections. Employees are strictly prohibited from performing any “off the clock” work on behalf of the Company.
- General Use
4.1 Cell phones can be a distraction in the workplace. Employees are asked to turn their phone off, or at a minimum to ‘vibrate’ mode during work time, company meetings, conferences, and in any circumstance where incoming calls may be disruptive.
4.2 All phone cases must follow GMPs (e.g. no sequence, rhinestones, liquid, etc..).
4.3 No employee may use another employee’s cell phone without that person’s permission.
- Use of Cell Phones While Driving
5.1 Research indicates that using a cell phone while driving is dangerous. Employees must be aware of and follow all current legislation and regulations regarding the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. It is illegal to use a hand-held cell phone to talk, text, e-mail, or surf the Internet while driving.
5.2 Employees whose job responsibilities include regular or occasional driving and who are issued a cellphone for business use are expected to refrain from using their phone while driving; use of a cellphone while driving is not required by the company. Safety must come before all other concerns.
5.3 A cell phone’s voicemail feature should be activated to store incoming calls while driving.
5.4 Regardless of the circumstances, including slow or stopped traffic, employees are required to use hands-free operations or pull off to the side of the road and safely stop the vehicle before placing or accepting a call.
5.5 Even when using hands-free equipment, employees are encouraged to refrain from discussion of complicated or emotional matters and to keep their eyes on the road while driving at all times. Special care should be taken in situations where there is traffic or inclement weather, or the employee is driving in an unfamiliar area.
5.6 Hands-free equipment will be provided with company-issued phones to facilitate the provisions of this policy.
5.7 Employees who are charged with traffic violations resulting from the use of their phone while driving will be solely responsible for all liabilities that result from such actions.
- Privacy and Access
6.1 A detailed statement for each Tasteful Selections supplied cell phone can be received monthly from the service provider and may be reviewed by accounting and the employee’s manager.
6.2 When a Tasteful Selections supplied cell phone is damaged, lost, or stolen, such incidents must be reported immediately to the employee’s manager.
6.3 Upon resignation or termination of employment, or at any time on request, the employee may be asked to produce the phone for return or inspection.
- Video or audio recording devices
7.1 The use of camera or other video or audio recording-capable devices on company premises is prohibited without the express prior permission of senior management and of the person(s) subject to recording.
7.2 Video or audio recording in restrooms and/or locker rooms is strictly prohibited.
- Consequences for Violators
8.1 Employees violating this policy will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment or end of assignment if a contract labor employee.
