Policy 128: Cellular Telephone Use

Cellular Telephones

Owner: Human Resources

1.0 Purpose: To establish guidelines for the use and reimbursement of XXXXXXX employees establishing or using their personal cellular phones for XXXXXXXX business.

2.0 Scope: This policy applies to all employees who are required, by their job duties, to have/use a cell telephone.

3.0 Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of all employees who are required to have a cell phone for their job duties to ensure compliance with this policy.

4.0 Policy:

4.1 Cell Phones, Accessories, and Plans

4.1.1 Cell phones are required by employees in some positions in the company in order to maintain contact with customers, vendors, supervisors, and other employees. In general, this includes Management Positions, Sales, Marketing, and Drivers.

4.1.2 Employees required to have cell phones will provide their own cell phone and service (vendor of their choice). Employee will have the monthly billing sent directly to their home and be responsible for paying the bill as dictated by the service provider.

4.1.3 The company will pay these employees a monthly cell allowance to cover business related calls, based on expected need by employee’s job. Example, a Sales Person will receive a higher allowance than an administrative person as he/she is unable to conduct the majority of business calls from a land-line in the office.

Revised 1/31/2012 4.1.4 All employees that receive a cell phone allowance are subject to being required to release their cell phone number to XXXXXXXX upon termination of employment (for any reason). Employees that are not willing to agree to these terms must use their allowance to purchase and maintain a separate cell phone and number to be used for all business related calls. Upon termination of employment this number must be released to XXXXXXXX.

4.2 Cell Phone Use Guidelines.

4.2.1 Know the limits of your cellular rate plan such as the peak and off- peak minutes included in your monthly plan. If you feel your allowance does not cover your business-related calls, contact your supervisor.

4.2.2 California and Nevada state law prohibits the use of cellular phones while driving unless using a headset or hands-free devise. This restriction is a federal/nation-wide law for CDL drivers. XXXXXXXX policy forbids the use of cellular phones without headset or hands-free devise for all employees operating company vehicles regardless of what state they are in. (Hands-free devises include: ear-bud/wire, Bluetooth ear piece, etc.) Most cellular phone come with a wired headset (or is an inexpensive option to purchase). Headsets, including Bluetooth wireless, are not to be purchased/reimbursed by the company – employees who prefer these options must purchase at their own expense.

4.2.4 If phone use is necessary: a) Use hands-free device, b) Use speed dialing, c) Tell the called party that you are driving and suspend the call if traffic conditions become hazardous in any way.

4.2.5 Text messaging or reading text while driving is prohibited.

4.2.6 Company Voicemail Policy and Procedures apply. You must remember to check your messages often and return important calls as soon as possible.

4.4 Any violation of this policy may lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Revised 1/31/2012 Acknowledgement and Receipt of Cell Phone Policy #128

XXXXXXXX does not issue cell phones under a company account; employees that require cell phones to perform their job duties will receive a cell phone allowance to cover the cost of utilizing their personal cell phone for business purposes.

Employees can utilize any existing personal cell phone equipment and number but must understand and agree that upon termination of employment (for any reason) the company may require that the phone number be released to XXXXXXXX. This applies mainly to employees that work in Sales, Marketing, and Management positions, but can be applied to any employee that received a cell phone allowance based on the determination of being in the best interest of XXXXXXXX. Employees that are not willing to agree to these terms must use their cell phone allowance to purchase and maintain a separate cell phone and number to be used for all business related calls. Upon termination of employment this number must be released to XXXXXXXX.

Ownership of cell phone equipment and plan(s) is the employee’s responsibility; employee will have the monthly billing sent directly to their home and be responsible for paying the bill as dictated by the service provider.

XXXXXXXX will make every attempt to assign a cell phone allowance amount that will cover the cost of minutes needed to perform your job. If you feel that your allowance does not cover your work- related calls, monitor your monthly statements and review your bill with your supervisor. Allowance increases must have the recommendation of your General Manager and approval of the President. All cell phone allowances will be included in the first pay check of each month.

Employee’s Name: ______Cell Phone Number: ______Cell Phone Carrier: ______Monthly Allowance Amount: ______

I have received a copy of the XXXXXXXX Cell Phone Policy #128 and understand and agree to abide by the terms of this policy and receipt.

______(Employee Signature) (Date)

Revised 1/31/2012 ______(Witness Signature) (Date)

Revised 1/31/2012