Wal Mart cell phone policy

We lost three drivers last week because of phone issues. You have up to 45 days to provide your record if asked. After that is termination. The three that we lost, first one bent a bat wing on Pete driver side while on the phone. Second one was rear ended by a car, not his fault but the requested his record because of the nature of the accident, third one was observed driving holding the phone to his head by another dc's safety manager. Pretty sad to get on here and have x number of years in only to be terminated over a phone call.

 

Ok, So a driver gets rearend. Clearly not his fault, but because his mobile records show they were either talikng or texting they get canned. KMA..
That is not fair. Now if he was on the phone and rearend a car or trk. Yes Then I can see letting the driver go..

 

Thing is, you can text and talk all you want while on or off duty... just not driving. I don't see what the big deal is here. Having limited use while driving is a good thing in my opinion. If the policy is too strict for people, then there are other jobs.

 

Like I said its the nature of the accident that they ask for records. IE: side swip, rear end collision, any accident resulting in damages in estimate of over 1000$..... Regardless of fault. Its company policy. I agree with demi. Its better to not be on the phone while driving.

 

Personal responsabillity is a good thing in my opinion. We got along fine for years using our phones. In my opinion its the texting that cost us the farm,texting is to distracting for MOST people. I will talk and text when I want just like I always have,at least until they get the in cab real time video monitoring up and running. Think Im kidding about the in cab monitoring?

 

Things have changed,liability is a huge issue and its at the center of all these changes. Its also the reason that good drivers with years of loyal service and spotless records are being terminated without the benefit of a climb up the discipline ladder. This was not the way drivers were treated in the past,but again its not the same Walmart. It can be spun so it looks like a positive but the truth is more and more guys are being terminated because Bentonville is afraid,very afraid of those large payouts when someone screws up. There has also been a huge increase in terminations of good solid drivers for lesser offenses that in the past were over looked.

There are obviously plenty in line willing to gamble their futures for a chance to get at the big money,unaware of whats going on with the new Walmart. Bentonville is betting that the chance to go from 45k to 80-100k a year is going to draw the bodies in,and its working. One thing that should be a big red flag is the huge drop in guys that leave or retire from the best jobs in the industry and come to Walmart to finish out their careers. For years these kind of drivers were what made up the top notch pool available for Bentonville to pick and choose from. I know of a few master freight guys that were headed to the private fleet after putting in their time but with whats going on its now no longer an option. Why give up a good job with really good benefits and seniority to come get micro managed,followed by upper management and to do alot of those "little things" without the benefit of compensation.

 

It is a personal responsibility and discipline thing, but some people are distracted even while talking. Talk all you want while not driving... I think the policy is ok, but it is what it is and home office has to please the masses of public perception. I am not worried about it, if all the big brother stuff becomes too much, then I will move on. I have also heard the in cab monitoring may not happen any time soon because that can be used against us in the court...how much talking on the phone while driving is really necessary? Save it for your 30 or while you are at the stores, etc... I guess there's always something that isn't good enough.

 

Not sure how long you have been around or where you came from but there is plenty that isnt good enough,at least compared to the past and its costing good people their jobs. The cell phone policy does not bother me,I talk when and where I want.

 

The past is the past... get over it. Keep being a rebel and don't cry the blues when you get caught. I suspect it will be something you will blame on everyone else but yourself if something did happen. I have been around long enough to remember the less intrusive days, but accept the policies of today. Do what you want and live in the past... if it is so bad for you then move on to greener pastures.

 

Dont get personal,it diminishes your credability and shows your ignorance of the subject at hand. Personal responsabillity means accepting what comes along as a result of your actions. How could I blame everyone else? Come on demi get it right or dont bother,and since you want to get personal can you please put a number on your years of service with the private fleet? I do what I do and accept any and all possible consequences of my actions. I and many others will not bend over say thank you,and have some free food while I post gee golly this is just a peachy place to work. Are we clear on that?

Bentonville is counting on current drivers bending over and accepting these intrusive changes with a big smile,because most never have or never will know anything better. Just a look at some of these posts and its pretty obvious thats not going to be a problem. New drivers with stars in their eyes will accept things because its probably better than were they came from and its Walmart. Were not going to be seeing many drivers leaving better jobs in order to drive for the private fleet like we used to because the better days are in the past.