How to tell people not to be stupid... professionally

[LittleTaz]

Ok, I need some help with how to word something...

I'm in charge of our company's cell phones. The company has been around for a while, but nobody ever created a policy on acceptable cell phone usage, so guess who gets to create it? Now, let me say first that I am normally not at a loss for words, but when confronted with the task of telling people how to not be stupid, the words are just escaping me...

Here's the point I need to get across. You know all the cute little quizzes, games, etc. you can play online? How much do you know about ancient TV shows? What movie star are you most compatible with? See your horoscope for the next 600 years. Yeah, those things. Well, most of them are harmless time killers, it's the ones that ask for your cell phone number so they can send you a PIN to get your results that I'm focusing on here. There are also the "Get this cool new hip hop ring tone just for texting the word DORK to 55067" ads on TV and online that are potential problems.

I have sent 2 company wide emails telling people "STOP IT!". When you send that text or give them your cell phone number, you are also agreeing to sign up for some ridiculous service that you probably don't even know you have, will never use and the only trace of it will be in the $1.99 - $19.99 month charge on the company bill. After the first email I actually had one guy tell me, "But all I did was get a PIN to get the results of my IQ test!" Really??? Next time you want to know that, call me, I'll tell you that you're a moron for free!

So I need some way to phrase this in a document that doesn't come right out and say, "This is a business tool, stop being stupid!" And honestly, that's the best I've come up with...

Ideas?

[Corey]

Easy, write up the policy on paper. In the policy, spefically state that any superfluous charges that show up on a bill from unapproved vendors will result in the employee footing the bill for the excess charges and a written warning. Continued abuse of the policy will lead to appropriate punishment.

Then make the employees read it and sign it, making it crystal clear that violation of the agreement is grounds for termination if repeated abuse of policy takes place. Hit the retards in their wallet and they'll start taking notice.

[Papa_Complex]

"You will be invoiced personally for all non-business related ancillary charges."

[Particle Man]

All your cell phones are belong to us...

[t-homo]

I think the first suggestion is about the best.

[LittleTaz]

Par for the course... 2 excellent and helpful comments and then along comes Partical Man...

Thanks!

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by LittleTaz

Par for the course... 2 excellent and helpful comments and then along comes Partical Man...

Thanks!

sorry, couldn't help myself.

Either what was noted above or something along the lines of "Only business related phone charges are reimbursable"

[Archren]

Originally Posted by LittleTaz

Par for the course... 2 excellent and helpful comments and then along comes Partical Man...

Thanks!

They accidentally the whole cell phone?

[LittleTaz]

Originally Posted by Archren

They accidentally the whole cell phone?

When I saw he had posted that is exactly what I expected to read!

[Corey]

Originally Posted by LittleTaz

Par for the course... 2 excellent and helpful comments and then along comes Partical Man...

Thanks!

By the way, what kind of phones does your company use? Is your company able to limit the access to the phones by eliminating or locking down data access through the phone company, or have them assist you in setting up the limits? Or is it something like a BES setup with a network of blackberry phones that you can restrict access at the BES server level? If the phones are used just as a source of keeping employees in contact with the job, then anything more than a voice plan is a potential source for the problems. Eliminate the data plans and you may be able to cut down on their shit.