Conducting Personal Business on Company Time – Because employees tend to spend so much of their weekday hours on the job, they often are tempted to conduct personal business on company time. This can include setting up doctor’s appointments on company phone lines, making vacation reservations using their employer’s computers and Internet connections or even making phone calls for a freelance side business while on company time.
Assignment
Using one of the example listed above, how would you handle it if you were a manager and came across this
issue? How would you balance your own ethics with those of the company?
Full Answer Section
For example, if an employee is setting up doctor's appointments on company phone lines, I might suggest that they try to schedule their appointments during their breaks or lunch hour. If they are unable to do this, I might allow them to use their personal phone to make the appointments, but only if they do so discreetly and do not let it interfere with their work.
If an employee is making vacation reservations using their employer's computers and Internet connections, I might ask them to limit their personal browsing to their breaks or lunch hour. If they need to make reservations during work hours, I might ask them to do so from a personal device.
If an employee is making phone calls for a freelance side business while on company time, I would explain that this is not acceptable. I would let them know that they are free to pursue their side business, but they must do so on their own time and using their own resources.
3. If an employee continues to conduct personal business on company time after I have spoken to them about it, I would need to take disciplinary action. This might include a verbal warning, a written warning, or even suspension or termination, depending on the severity of the offense.
Balancing my own ethics with those of the company
As a manager, I have a responsibility to uphold the company's policies and procedures. However, I also have a responsibility to be fair and reasonable. When dealing with an employee who is conducting personal business on company time, I would try to strike a balance between these two responsibilities.
I would first try to understand why the employee is conducting personal business on company time and see if there is a way to accommodate their needs without impacting their work. However, if an employee is knowingly and willfully violating the company's policy, I would need to take disciplinary action.
I would also be mindful of my own personal ethics. For example, if I have a child and I need to make a doctor's appointment for them during work hours, I would ask my manager for permission. If my manager is not understanding, I would use my personal phone to make the appointment.
I believe that it is important to be honest and transparent with my employees. I would also try to be fair and reasonable when dealing with disciplinary issues.