cell phones at work

[Batman]

We get $50 a month, which isn't bad. My bill is usually $63 so it pretty much covers it.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

News people and photogs (photogs?) got phones from our company recently, but not sports. And I have no idea if they just got the phones for free, or if the company is also paying the monthly bills.

 

[jfs1000]

Who doesn't have a cell phone?

I understand using work things for work, but the reason I use my personal cell phone is that it is easier. I use my phone maybe 15-20 percent for work. I could go into the office and use that phone, so it isn't convenient for me.

If you do enough work where you need a dedicated line, I understand. But, we aren't corporate accountants or CEO's --ya know?

Cell phones are so prominent it's almost like a car and internet connection.

On a related note: What do you guys think of laptops. For years I used my own until it started to break down because of it getting beaten up (constant travel and in these tight quarters destroy machines). I went through 2 until I said enough.

I ended up getting a hand me down, which was actually pretty good. But, I find a lot of reporters on non-metros use their own. It looks like this is another expense (like cell phones) that is pushed on the employee.

Cell phones and laptops are work necessities now, especially for a writer on a travel beat. How is this played at your paper?

I know of a lot of places that hate to get machines for the sports department. On the news side? Forget it.

 

[NoOneLikesUs]

Had a company one for about six months. It was only to be used to call other phones in the network though, so when you had to call the office, you couldn't actually call the office, but a cell phone which was in the office.

Of course nobody used the damn things because it was a PITFA. Company then took nearly all of them away. I have a personal cell phone, but I do not use it for work-related calls...don't get reimbursed, so **** 'em.

 

[User 1019]

Uncle Sugar provides phones to certain folks ... company commander, first sergeant, battalion commander, etc. ...

Second lieutenant three_bags_full? Uh, no.

I'm lucky if I don't get yelled at just for being a lieutenant. :

 

[mike311gd]

On a related note: What do you guys think of laptops. For years I used my own until it started to break down because of it getting beaten up (constant travel and in these tight quarters destroy machines). I went through 2 until I said enough.

I ended up getting a hand me down, which was actually pretty good. But, I find a lot of reporters on non-metros use their own. It looks like this is another expense (like cell phones) that is pushed on the employee.

Cell phones and laptops are work necessities now, especially for a writer on a travel beat. How is this played at your paper?

I know of a lot of places that hate to get machines for the sports department. On the news side? Forget it.

I got fed up with the ****ty company-issued laptop at my old job -- a non-metro -- and decided to buy my own, figuring I could get a lot of use out of it anyway. So I bought the one I typing on full-time now. And when I moved to a metro paper, it was assumed I had one. I claimed it on my taxes last year and got a bit back for it.

 

[Some Guy]

Had a company one for about six months. It was only to be used to call other phones in the network though, so when you had to call the office, you couldn't actually call the office, but a cell phone which was in the office.

I don't have to tell you, but this is beyond cheap.

 

[Pencil Dick]

I get 500 minutes per month through our company's Cingular plan. I never see a bill, but I suspect I've never come close to using 200 minutes/month.

The monthly minutes do not roll over, however.

 

[STLIrish]

WTF? How can you be a reporter and they not give you a cell phone and/or reimburse you for your personal phone? How are you supposed to communicate with people? Do they not give you e-mail, too? An Internet connection?

 

[Smokey33]

I was hoping this thread was about cell phones at work. I ****ing hate them. Why can't people put them on vibrate at work?

I don't want to hear some lame-ass music box song, the theme for an 80s TV show or any of the other possible ringtones.

I don't want to hear you talking to your grandma, wife, girlfriend, credit card company, etc. At least take that **** out in the hall, douchebag!

I'm not easily annoyed, but cell phones bother me immensely when I'm at work and phones go off several times an hour in an otherwise quiet office. Especially bad when a coworker leaves their phone unattended at their desk and someone keeps calling them over and over again.

 

[mike311gd]

I was hoping this thread was about cell phones at work. I ****ing hate them. Why can't people put them on vibrate at work?

I don't want to hear some lame-ass music box song, the theme for an 80s TV show or any of the other possible ringtones.

I don't want to hear you talking to your grandma, wife, girlfriend, credit card company, etc. At least take that **** out in the hall, douchebag!

I'm not easily annoyed, but cell phones bother me immensely when I'm at work and phones go off several times an hour in an otherwise quiet office. Especially bad when a coworker leaves their phone unattended at their desk and someone keeps calling them over and over again.

You'd change your tune if you met my grandma. She rules.

 

[awriter]

WTF? How can you be a reporter and they not give you a cell phone and/or reimburse you for your personal phone? How are you supposed to communicate with people? Do they not give you e-mail, too? An Internet connection?

Those are excellent questions. I don't get it either. My last two places provided phones -- and paid the bills. Imagine that. They gave us notepads and pens, too.

 

[Mr. Homer]

I was hoping this thread was about cell phones at work. I ****ing hate them. Why can't people put them on vibrate at work?

I don't want to hear some lame-ass music box song, the theme for an 80s TV show or any of the other possible ringtones.

I don't want to hear you talking to your grandma, wife, girlfriend, credit card company, etc. At least take that **** out in the hall, douchebag!

I'm not easily annoyed, but cell phones bother me immensely when I'm at work and phones go off several times an hour in an otherwise quiet office. Especially bad when a coworker leaves their phone unattended at their desk and someone keeps calling them over and over again.

What I hate are all the little ****ers who text like its going to get them a bj or something. Text messaging is retarded. I hate it!!!!! And no, I'm not much older than these little punks.

 

[Fourth and 8]

So is there a basis for challenging a company for hiring you under the pretense of making these provisions such as cellphones and then changing the rules, giving you a stipend that doesn't amount to squat and telling you it's the only way you can keep your job? When there's no consistent amount given throughout the company for these and therefore, no set rule company wide for it?

 

[PaperDoll]

I don't feel all that screwed, because even without the job I'd still have a cell phone, and probably with the same plan. So I'd spend the same money either way.

Like I mentioned earlier, I also have an office-issued phone, but I haven't even bothered to give the office that number. I keep my personal phone with me for the most part, because everyone I know calls me on that. I only use the office phone in arena press rooms, because it gets far better reception in such places than my personal phone, for some reason.

If the company wants to issue me a cellphone (like they do for the photographers), I'd be happy to use it. But until then, I have no intention of giving my personal cell phone number to anyone in the office.

I don't want my boss to be able to reach me whenever he pleases, because he'd likely call just to freak me out. : The PR people for the pro team I cover have my cell number, but other than that, it's reserved for my family and friends.

I use my landline solely for work-related calls. I used to get the entire cost back, including the line charges, because I said, "I wouldn't have a landline if I didn't work here."

We've got new management, that excuse doesn't fly anymore. There's also a new reimbursement policy, but after a bit of griping in the summer -- when I was working at home a lot more than normal -- I'm allowed to submit my landline bill rather than getting a percentage of my cell bill back.

I itemize all the calls, I get a check.

I just pay for the line charges, which is okay with me because I don't want to go cell-only... yet.

 

[Some Guy]

I don't feel all that screwed, because even without the job I'd still have a cell phone, and probably with the same plan. So I'd spend the same money either way.

Like I mentioned earlier, I also have an office-issued phone, but I haven't even bothered to give the office that number. I keep my personal phone with me for the most part, because everyone I know calls me on that. I only use the office phone in arena press rooms, because it gets far better reception in such places than my personal phone, for some reason.

If the company wants to issue me a cellphone (like they do for the photographers), I'd be happy to use it. But until then, I have no intention of giving my personal cell phone number to anyone in the office.

I don't want my boss to be able to reach me whenever he pleases, because he'd likely call just to freak me out. : The PR people for the pro team I cover have my cell number, but other than that, it's reserved for my family and friends.

I use my landline solely for work-related calls. I used to get the entire cost back, including the line charges, because I said, "I wouldn't have a landline if I didn't work here."

We've got new management, that excuse doesn't fly anymore. There's also a new reimbursement policy, but after a bit of griping in the summer -- when I was working at home a lot more than normal -- I'm allowed to submit my landline bill rather than getting a percentage of my cell bill back.

I itemize all the calls, I get a check.

I just pay for the line charges, which is okay with me because I don't want to go cell-only... yet.

You must really hate the people you work with.

 

[SteveThePirate]

Three or four of us have them in sports. Good because I never had one before; bad because then I'm expected to answer it at all times. Have been told to keep it under 200 minutes monthly (work and/or personal) and no questions asked. No questions have been asked.

Now, personally, I can't stand them. Hate the reception. Hate trying to do an interview with it pinched between my ear and shoulder. Hate that people are walking around talking on them all the time. Hate texting. Hate any ring that isn't standard. We've also got long-distance phone cards, so I use that from home instead of calling on my cell.

Wow, I feel better dumping that off my chest.

 

[Spartakate]

My company has three pool cell phones that are never charged. I know they are never charged because I once tried to use one when I forgot my cell at home. They weren't charged. Gee how useful?

I printed a recent bill and highlighted all of the work-related calls (over 200 minutes worth) and brought it to the boss. He said just write off $20 a month for it. Works for me. I have a plan with my husband that's about $60 a month. Bare bones, no texting etc. (I am news side, not sports)

By the way I think it's BS that someone is paying $60 a month for the air card and your company isn't paying for it. I would totally bring that up.

Also I think sports side tends to get ignored in budget times because the news side never sees you guys. In all of the papers I've worked at, sports is off in the corner and working after most reporters have gone home.

 

[Mediator]

Our paper just got shiny new phones so we can take better pictures for blogs and the paper. It's a great perk, but the Big Brother aspect bothers me. Although now our phone and email can be intercepted by the government, too.

OK so there are some text haters out there, but I've found it becoming more and more useful for work. You can do it in a press conference to pass along some news without having to step out. You can get some quick fact verified without having to ask about the wife and kids. You can make some pithy comment to a writer down press row about the jerk who sits in between you and is eating something that smells like a decaying squirrel ...

 

[buckweaver]

OK so there are some text haters out there, but I've found it becoming more and more useful for work. You can do it in a press conference to pass along some news without having to step out. You can get some quick fact verified without having to ask about the wife and kids. You can make some pithy comment to a writer down press row about the jerk who sits in between you and is eating something that smells like a decaying squirrel ...

As a desker, a good 90 percent of my deadline communication with our writers is by text. I ask for an ETA, they ask for length, if I have a question I text them to find a minute to call me, etc. We're all comfortable with it, and we actually end up with more and better communication that way.