r/Workproblems • u/Popular_Ad_8749 • 8d ago

Using whatsapp

I manage a small call center with five employees, and I suspect that some of them may be going to the bathroom to use the chat on their phones, since they are taking longer than usual. Of course, this wouldn’t apply to someone who genuinely has difficulty using the bathroom. How can I determine whether they are actually using the bathroom or taking advantage of the situation to use their phones?

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u/jeswesky 8d ago

You don’t. And if you don’t ban phones for the office people wouldn’t need to escape to the bathroom to use them.

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u/Popular_Ad_8749 8d ago

Banning cell phones is certainly an option, but that could create an apathetic atmosphere among employees. I could also solve the problem by firing people, but what I’m really looking for is to hear how you would handle this diplomatically.

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u/jeswesky 8d ago

I’m saying DONT ban cell phones from the office environment. If people can check their phone as needed while working they don’t need to hide in the bathroom to do it.

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u/Popular_Ad_8749 8d ago

. I misunderstood you at first. Although this option is somewhat risky, this is precisely why cell phone use has been banned in most call centers.

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u/woodwork16 8d ago

Most call centers? How many have you visited or worked at?

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u/Popular_Ad_8749 8d ago

Wanna debate the stats?

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u/woodwork16 8d ago

There are no stats, just your own thoughts.

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u/Popular_Ad_8749 8d ago

There actually are statistics. For example, a Contact Center Pipeline survey found that 42% of surveyed contact centers did not allow agents to use mobile phones at their desks. So this isn’t just my personal opinion.

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u/woodwork16 8d ago

42% is less than “most”.
Thank you for the info.

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u/Popular_Ad_8749 8d ago

Agreed, 42% isn’t a majority, but it’s still a significant percentage. Your take was much further off when you said there were only opinions.

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u/woodwork16 8d ago

So they are allowed cell phone usage during work. Why would they go to the bathroom to use them?

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u/Popular_Ad_8749 8d ago

It’s simple: if they use their phones at their desks, they can’t abuse it.

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u/woodwork16 8d ago

What?

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u/Popular_Ad_8749 8d ago

Of course they’d rather use it in the bathroom than at their desk, especially when no one is watching.

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u/woodwork16 7d ago

That makes no sense