Advice from an employer: Stop Texting

I cannot tell you how often an employee screws themselves up by texting.

While I would like to think that it is common sense that you do not 'text in' when you are missing work, apparently it is not. You have to actually speak with your employer (unless otherwise notified).

But even more: your texts are now evidence. if you call, i cannot record our conversation and enter it into an unemployment hearing. But if you text me...now we have a record of what was said. And that record, unlike a recording of the conversation you SHOULD have had, can be entered in as evidence in various civil and administrative courts.

Common sense: stop texting your employer and their managers. You are just screwing yourself up.

I stopped texting the lady I work for now I struggle in conversation with her and darn curse she mysteriously slips into speaking to me, she is a family relation, I care for and yet don't like... sorry am I on topic? Texting while not working? Haven't done that, and she still hasn't let me go or fired me.
I dislike texting my phone is outdated.

I have told my staff that if they text in sick, then I will no longer accept it as notification of absence and their absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

I work for a Local Authority and it categorically states in their contract of employment that they need to speak to their immediate line manager or in their absence, their line manager's manager, if they are sick or need to request the day off for other reasons.

I hadn't thought about what you have suggested, so thanks for the heads up.

hey uhhh im not gonna be at work today *cough cough*.... ohhh wait im already there

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

Agreed. Not only is it potentially damning evidence, it also creates a casual dynamic between employer and employees that opens the door for unprofessional behavior that would not otherwise be acceptable.

Social media is another easy way to lose a job by being caught in a lie. I know numerous people who are actually facebook friends with their employers. It's very unwise, for a number of reasons, to bring that level of casual familiarity into the workplace.

Almost every state has adopted the "at will employment" laws...people forget that, and the fact that it means an employer can terminate an employee without any warning or reason, and that it is incredibly difficult to fight that legally. It also makes it even harder to get unemployment compensation. Employers don't need a reason, but if they're given one, they'll use it to their full advantage, every single time.

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

Here's another tip: trust your employees and treat them how you would like be treated.

I was sick one day and called the bosses wife that I couldn't make it, Then the malignant crone told her husband that I was late. I lost my job despite the fact I had Costochondritis and a stomach bug but noooo....I was a slacker! another job screwed my shoulder so bad that I had to sleep upright for a month and I was sore and irritable but noooo...My boss thought I was a drug addict! Eight years later and my shoulder still aches, my wrists creak but I guess that's the drug withdrawals that I never had.

Another former boss did not pay our crew on time because he was feeding his face with pies and long johns and once threw a tantrum when he had to get in the field because an employee suffered an injury!

Moral of the story-There are bad employers as well as bad employees.

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

It is funny isn't it.
Turn it around a bit and there's been stories in the UK where a business has fired staff by text message.
I can't tell you the outrage that caused.
Apparently employers are supposed to talk to you in person!

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

Did someone text you and tell you to stop playing video games at work?

Fire them now !!!!

a reply to: Thecakeisalie

im happy i provided you a soapbox....but none of this is on topic with the sage advice i have provided.

originally posted by: Cobaltic1978
I have told my staff that if they text in sick, then I will no longer accept it as notification of absence and their absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

I work for a Local Authority and it categorically states in their contract of employment that they need to speak to their immediate line manager or in their absence, their line manager's manager, if they are sick or need to request the day off for other reasons.

I hadn't thought about what you have suggested, so thanks for the heads up.

Utterly reprehensible. Communication is just that. If they text, email, call the secretary or you, it's communication.

You're just being a dick.

You know here, it's actually not a valid thing for a boss to call someone to speak to them if they call in sick, it's harassment.

but then, we don't have dumb things like at will laws. So we value workers. Not treat them like indentured slaves...

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
a reply to: Thecakeisalie

im happy i provided you a soapbox....but none of this is on topic with the sage advice i have provided.

Tell the slaves to behave, sage advice !!

Good stuff..

a reply to: savemebarry

no, there are rules to employment.

in my policy manual, we lay out these rules quite clearly. you can accept those rules and accept the job, or you can not accept the rules and end up out of a job.

even worse, though....like i said in my OP: it shouldn't take a mental giant to see that once you write something down, its a matter of record. if you speak it, it is illegal to record it and enter it in as evidence. but texting it...there just isn't an implied right to privacy there, and we regularly use former employees text messages against them in unemployment hearings.

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

And to what end? Are you actively seeking out people to hassle? Old bob isn't doing so well this week, I'll just go over every text he sent me,and sack him? Or talk to the guy. See if they are ok. No, your policy is the texts are good enough to say "I dont like you, you might be good at your job, but heres you and that skank at the pub, sayonara!"

When, in any legitimate world, is a vindictive boss a good boss?

If they're utter twats and NEED to be fired, if you have to rely on texts or other typed words, you have a flimsy basis. They should be fired by their lack of work ethic. Not just your attitude.

Who cares what someone texts you. Unless you're vindictive.

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
a reply to: Thecakeisalie

im happy i provided you a soapbox....but none of this is on topic with the sage advice i have provided.

Sage Advice is for cooks.

A former boss could've earned thousands of dollars a year but he didn't because he didn't listen to me, but I'm just a grunt and boss knew best. But what do I know?

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

I usually just show up for work sick, threaten to lick all the telephones in the office and people force me to go home.

originally posted by: savemebarry
a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

And to what end? Are you actively seeking out people to hassle? Old bob isn't doing so well this week, I'll just go over every text he sent me,and sack him? Or talk to the guy. See if they are ok. No, your policy is the texts are good enough to say "I dont like you, you might be good at your job, but heres you and that skank at the pub, sayonara!"

When, in any legitimate world, is a vindictive boss a good boss?

If they're utter twats and NEED to be fired, if you have to rely on texts or other typed words, you have a flimsy basis. They should be fired by their lack of work ethic. Not just your attitude.

Who cares what someone texts you. Unless you're vindictive.

OK, this conversation isn't for you. sorry. i was intending to talk to people who understand how things work, and aren't looking to pick a fight. you might try the mudpit.

this isn't about being vindictive. this is advice to employees to help make their case in unemployment hearings stronger. listen to me, or don't. but as an employer I have never lost an unemployment hearing. Not a bad record over the last 20 years.

originally posted by: Thecakeisalie

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
a reply to: Thecakeisalie

im happy i provided you a soapbox....but none of this is on topic with the sage advice i have provided.

Sage Advice is for cooks.

A former boss could've earned thousands of dollars a year but he didn't because he didn't listen to me, but I'm just a grunt and boss knew best. But what do I know?

it just so happens i have a few cooks in my shop.

originally posted by: tigertatzen
a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

Agreed. Not only is it potentially damning evidence, it also creates a casual dynamic between employer and employees that opens the door for unprofessional behavior that would not otherwise be acceptable.

Social media is another easy way to lose a job by being caught in a lie. I know numerous people who are actually facebook friends with their employers. It's very unwise, for a number of reasons, to bring that level of casual familiarity into the workplace.

Almost every state has adopted the "at will employment" laws...people forget that, and the fact that it means an employer can terminate an employee without any warning or reason, and that it is incredibly difficult to fight that legally. It also makes it even harder to get unemployment compensation. Employers don't need a reason, but if they're given one, they'll use it to their full advantage, every single time.

we do not action anything from facebook so long as you are not in photo wearing your uniform, or mentioning us (as the employer) by name in an unsavory light.

in fact, ill usually quickly berate a manager who wants to come tattle on one of their subordinates for social media. my first question is, 'how do you know that they are telling the truth on instagram?" As someone who plays devils advocate online frequently, why should i try to pin someone to something they say online?

originally posted by: savemebarry

originally posted by: Cobaltic1978
I have told my staff that if they text in sick, then I will no longer accept it as notification of absence and their absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

I work for a Local Authority and it categorically states in their contract of employment that they need to speak to their immediate line manager or in their absence, their line manager's manager, if they are sick or need to request the day off for other reasons.

I hadn't thought about what you have suggested, so thanks for the heads up.

Utterly reprehensible. Communication is just that. If they text, email, call the secretary or you, it's communication.

You're just being a dick.

You know here, it's actually not a valid thing for a boss to call someone to speak to them if they call in sick, it's harassment.

but then, we don't have dumb things like at will laws. So we value workers. Not treat them like indentured slaves...

Yes, I can see that now.

Edit- With regards to phoning staff, I would never do that, why should I? I'm not the one who is absent. Besides, I know the barriers having been a union member for many years.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

I usually just show up for work sick, threaten to lick all the telephones in the office and people force me to go home.

That's all well and good, but when you work in a science lab that specialises in the study of bacteria, then it's the norm.