I just started work at a fast food place and when I arrived, my manager immediately took away my phone and said I could get it back when my shift was over. Is that allowed? I wasn’t planning on using it, but I would like to be available in an emergency.
Is your manager your mom? Otherwise, no — your manager cannot take your phone away and give it back to you at the end of your shift, unless perhaps you are working for the CIA commissary and recording devices are not permitted in the area.
An employer can restrict how much time employees spend on non-work activities — and the phone has replaced the computer for most people for browsing the Internet and staying in touch with friends — but unless you were caught making TikTok videos on your shift or blowing up your friends’ phones while the fries and burgers are sitting there getting cold, then you do not need to hand your phone over.
Tell your boss it is only on for emergencies should someone need to reach you.
I’m the boss of a small team and I’ve found out that one of them is working a second job in his spare time. I feel he gets a good salary from us and that we deserve his full attention. Can I say something?
I think you have to have a conversation with your employee before coming to a conclusion. How much he makes is irrelevant — you never know what a person’s financial situation is.
Unless specifically prohibited in an employment agreement or company policy, anyone can earn money in their “spare time” — assuming it is truly in their spare time. You have every right to have a conversation with this employee about their second job, though, to determine whether or not it in any way conflicts with their primary job, whether that be in time, focus or commitment.
If you determine that it is interfering with their ability to perform their job as expected, you have the right to ask them to mitigate the adverse impact on the job they perform for you.
Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. Hear Greg Wed. at 9:35 a.m. on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. Email: [email protected]. Follow: GoToGreg.com and on Twitter: @GregGiangrande