Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I work in an elementary school.
We were "reminded" by our administrator today that the district's policy is that "no employee shall use their cell phone during instructional hours" but also that it must be turned off.

My principal clarified for us that it means no cell phones at all between 8:55- 3:55.

My mom lives with us watching DD ( 8 months) and I have always kept my phone by me and on in case of emergency.

I have decided to continue to do this regardless of the policy. Rules be dammed- this is my daughter!!!

Would you? Some co-workers think I'm nuts for knowingly disobeying a rule. I think there are more important things than rules especially this one.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I would turn it off. In case of emergency have your mom call the school for an admin. to get you.

I HAVE TO turn my phone off when I work. Can you imagine if my phone rang while I do a massage? Pretty embarrassing and completely unprofessional!!!! I don't have a choice. DH can contact me other way when I am at work. He knows where I work. I am reachable in case of emergency. Just not through my personal phone. I do check it out during my break for other messages.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

Id keep in on vibrate.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I think you are at risk of being fired for knowingly breaking a rule, and I wouldn't risk it. Give you mom the number to district admin for emergencies and notify admin & the principal in writing that due to the cell phone policy your mom has been instructed to call the admin # in the event of an emergency and you expect to be notified immediately if she calls.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I'd keep it off. No risk in getting in trouble or maybe even fired.
Im sure your mom can call the main office and they would call your classroom immediatley.

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Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I'd shut it off.

You can be terminated for this, and since there is a phone in the main office, your mom can call that i she had to

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

ITA with everyone else and I will say that anytime I call a parent that is a teacher about their child I always call their work #. I am always immediately put through to the parent as soon as say it is their child's day care calling.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I would definitely turn it off and instruct your mother to call the office. All you need is for your phone to ring once during class and your career could be seriously damaged. I don't think it's worth it.

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I guess I'm in the minority with you BUT I'd keep it on! When I was teaching, my phone was always on and nearby, whether on my desk or in my pocket! And there have been instances where I answered it in the middle of class! My 3rd graders knew that if I answered my phone it was an emergency and they knew to stay quiet! When and if I go back to teaching, my phone will most definately be on again, especially now that I am a mother!

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I could lose my job on the spot if I am caught on a cell phone during school hours. If there is an emergency at day care, they are instructed to call my work number and the secretaries patch the call through. I am sorry but losing my income is not an option. I am just as accessible without a cell phone.

Message edited 12/3/2009 11:16:29 PM.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I'd probably comply out of fear but frankly I hope you have a reliable office staff- I know of some that operate in total chaos with phones not being answered, transfers being disconnected, etc.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I also want to add, that cell phones are a relatively NEW invention. Our parents, and our grandparents all got by without it. (Before anyone mentions single income households, don't forget that teaching and nursing were generally female only professions).

If the school has a rule against it, I really think you are foolish to risk your job over it.

ETA: I checked - the handheld cellphone that was/is small enough to fit in a pocket debuted in 1989.

Message edited 12/4/2009 12:17:03 AM.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

Thank you for all your input.

Just to add since I forgot to mention before our school policy is no calls are to be transfered up to our rooms under no circumstances.

It has never been tested before with an actual emergency because we have always used our cell phones being unaware of this rule which was revised last Dec but never sent out to teachers.

I wouldnt necessarily lose my job over it- I'd get a letter in my personnel file.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I am bad bc I dont like to follow rules..... I would leave the phone on vibrate but still have your Mom call the office first if there was an emergency. I use to leave my phone on vibrate all the time at work even though people had my work number...sometimes that message never got to me....so I would just leave my phone on....

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

It's very emotional when it comes to your child but...

you have received communication of the policy with further instruction and expectation from your principal

I would turn the phone off and make sure that your mother knows that she should call the office directly to get you. When you are out of the building you can and should have the phone on but inside I would suggest turning it off. You can be reached in some way in an emergency.

What is your DH's policy at his place of employment?

Message edited 12/4/2009 10:32:28 PM.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I would definitely turn it off.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

In my school, we have a similar policy....that cell phones should not be used during class time.
(they also had to remind teachers not to text during class, which I thought was kind of obvious)
BUT...due to budget cuts, we also lost about 75% of our secretarial staff this year...so many office phones go straight to voicemail...even the mail office lines certain times during the day. So there is an excellent chance that an emergency can happen and someone can try to contact me, only to be connected to voicemail.
That's unacceptable to me, so I keep my phone on vibrate during the day. I don't make calls with it, but I do check it periodically to make sure no one is trying to get in touch with me.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I have mixed feelings about this. I would probably keep it on vibrate but I would never ever actually use the phone. I finally had to put up a sign in my waiting room explaining that I do not expect clients to talk on their cell phones during meetings with me. I do make exceptions for those who went through the effort of getting child care so they could come to see me so I do understand that rules have to have some leeway.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I would turn it off. They have their reasons for not wanting your cell phone on and I feel that as an employee and as a teacher you should follow their policies. If your mom needs to get you she can call the school office. I'm sure they would be more then capable to get you in case of a major emergency.

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I would keep it on vibrate either in my desk or bag and check it periodically. Especially if your school policy is not to pass calls that go through your secretarys office to your room regardless.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work

I'd turn it off since that is the rule.

That said, I think it's a stupid rule. I also teach in an elementary school and we are allowed to use our phones during our preps and lunch hour. I don't understand why that wouldn't be allowed.

Re: Am I right? Cell phone policy @ work