tourist
 
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Date: 9/3/10 10:56 AM As I am setting up a new daycare and will have 2 younger people working there (not that only younger people are permanently tethered to their phones, but...) I think we will need a policy. The centre is run by a big non-profit so it has a bureaucracy that loves paper work. I will ask if they have an official policy, but I don't think they do. Since a daycare is a fairly casual and relaxed work place, it is possible for phone use, particularly email, to gradually get out of hand. I also am very distractable and hate the constant ringing or buzzing.
Does anyone have a policy at work that I could use as a a starting place? ------
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AliceM
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Date: 9/3/10 11:12 AM My DH works in a large warehouse and MUST leave his phone in his truck. It is not allowed in the building. If it becomes necessary I can call him through the buildings phone system and many days he will call me during his lunch/break times so there is ni real need for the cell phone. |
jannw
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In reply to tourist
Date: 9/3/10 11:13 AM I work in a retail store and the policy is no cell phone usage unless at breaks or lunch. It used to be that you had to leave your cell in the locker and not have it on the floor at all, but this proved imposssible to enforce. Currently, if there is an urgent message for you, tell supervisor and they will let you take it.
I do have to say that this policy is constantly violated and in the backrooms, bathrooms etc..people are constantly checking messages etc..
It seems to me that you will be in a bad situation if employees are texting or whatever instead of watching the toddlers. ------
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MapleCandy3
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Date: 9/3/10 12:57 PM I work in retail too and you can only use it/have it on lunch or break. If I even kept it in my pocket I'm pretty sure I'd be written up if they found out. Very strict.
My last job was at a grocery store and the policy was the same but they never enforced it - people would text all the time whenever they could.
Whatever policy you have I think it will come down to if there is a consequence for breaking policy and whether or not you choose to follow though. ------
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Sharon1952
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Date: 9/3/10 1:06 PM Our nursery school requires that all purses and other valuable items be locked in a central office location. No one is allowed to have their phone on their person. They are hired to care and watch and teach children- not teach them to text! ------
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SouthernStitch
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Date: 9/3/10 1:24 PM Oh this is such a problem, and you are so wise to be thinking of this. Whatever policy you come up with, just make sure you find a way to enforce it.
A place to check the phones in would be great, but then you'd have people needing them during morning and afternoon breaks, and lunch time. That could get to be too hard to regulate.
Maybe letting the applicants know what bad things can happen when they are trying to text with one hand and have a wiggly little one in the other arm, as well as having them sign something upon hire saying they totally understand your no cell policy and realize if they are caught then here are the consequences?
Many people already think they are capable of driving and texting, so they will think the same with child care! ------
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KathySews
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Date: 9/3/10 2:11 PM Don't get into a debate of why no cell phones during work hours...that opens you to argument. Valuables have a way of getting lost, so lockers maybe? If the cell phones are in purses in lockers then there is no temptation to check them.
Cell phones off when working with the children. Provide an emergency number they can give to family....specify it is for emergency only. I would allow checking messages during breaks.
As a parent, I would have been furious if I saw a caregiver texting or using their cell phones when they were with the children.
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Michelle T
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Date: 9/3/10 7:22 PM I am sure the daycare has a land line.
There is no reason what so ever for staff to have their phones with them while looking after the children. If someone needs to get hold of them for an emergency, they can call the land line.
If they are texting, checking their email or talking on the phone they are not working. Their phone should be put away while working, they can check their messages during their breaks.
I would call a few other day cares in the region to see what their policies are regarding cell phones. ------
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Miss Fairchild
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In reply to tourist
Date: 9/3/10 9:53 PM The courthouses in the US require you to leave your cell phone at the door. I remember when attorneys wore those TI watches (digital) . Then they would go off in court (the watches). A few years later, it was pagers, now it's cell phones. You have to leave them at the main door if you are going into a courtroom.
I'd suggest that you set some guidelines, and realize people will try to take advantage. Maybe something like a nice "suggestion" which gets firmer with repeated abuses. Maybe leave all the phones in a box, or separate boxes for each employee, and to be removed during break time (like checking in shoes at a roller rink). A tag is given to the employee to show they checked their cell phone in.
Come across like it's going to help the children, especially if one should become injured, if an adult or caregiver sees the problem and is able to respond quickly (rather than sending a text message about their date the night before). Once I saw a truck driver (semi with a full trailer) texting on the highway. He was weaving in and out of lanes so bad, he looked drunk. I wrote down the carrier number and drove by him to confirm what he was doing. Then I pulled over and called 911. Scary! ------
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cgHipp
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Date: 9/3/10 10:56 PM While you're at it, you need to create a social media policy as well. A very well-meaning but naive girl at my son's day care was putting photos of the center's kids on her Facebook page. I loved that she was so enthusiastic about the kids in her care, and loved them so much - but you just don't do that.
You'll also want to think about the kinds of things your employees are allowed to post online about their work experience. You may decide not to have a policy about that, but that should be the result of a conscious decision. ------
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