Apple Watch: Banned at Work? [MERGED]

[Roller]

Retail and hospital here. We're not supposed to have our phones on us (beepers for medical) but the apple watch is fine. Maybe they just don't know much about it haha.

Like many hospitals, we're looking at replacing pagers with smartphones, which are widely used by personnel. We're also looking at the Apple watch.

Recently, I read of two incidents that describe annoying behaviors to others due to compulsions brought on by smart phones.

"PATTI LUPONE TAKE A TEXTING WOMAN'S CELLPHONE FROM THE AUDIENCE & WALK OFF STAGE WITH IT IN HAND."

"This all comes in the same week in which a man jumped on to a Broadway stagejust before a performance to charge his iPhone."

With an Apple Watch, it's much more subtle to send a text reply than on a phone. We all can agree with that. I would only do so as an immediate response to something urgent. Additionally, there is little glare from the AW in a darkened theater.

I can see the difference between using technology and being used by technology.

➰

Yes, I just read about this. The funny (or sad, depending on how you look at it) part was that it was a prop outlet. The man later explained "I saw the outlet and ran for it. That was the only outlet I saw, so I thought, 'Why not?' I was thinking that they were probably going to plug something in there on the set, and I figured it wouldn't be a big deal if my phone was up there too."

And I agree with you about the subtlety of using the watch in a theater or other setting where you want to be unobtrusive.

 

[Donstil-nl]

100k is still a lot now

I was thinking the same but I was not sure to reply.
I was not sure if it was a stupid move to show off or just a troll.

 

[firewood]

There are a few industrial jobs where having anything metallic or magnetic on your wrist (or fingers or even body) presents a safety issue when working with certain types of machinery or systems. Some places (the mobster bosses lair) restrict anything with a microphone.

 

[DirtySocks85]

I'm an educator at a science museum and I'm allowed to use whatever devices I please during the work day as long as it doesn't interfere with my work duties. In fact, our president won an Apple Watch at a charity event and she wants me to help her set it up and give her a tutorial on how to use it.

 

[JK1216]

I have had my Apple Watch for months and found out today that my employer updated the policy manual stating that no smart watches are allowed while at work. I am of course extremely bummed because I work 10-11 hour days full time and use the Apple Watch mainly for activity tracking. I'm wondering if I will be allowed to wear it in my pocket or figure out a way to strap it to my bra and if I do that if it would still count my activity?? Of course this is if my employer doesn't also state that we cannot have it on us period. If I am not able to have it on me whatsoever is it worth keeping vs selling () and getting a Fitbit since I work so much and would basically only wear it from 5pm until bed time on weekdays and then on weekends. Man I am so upset about this. I love my Apple Watch! Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. I am a receptionist and do not work somewhere where security is an issue so I do not even understand why they are banning them.

 

[Bigdog9586]

Only thing I can add is wear it hid and get caught. Would you lose your job? Why take the chance. What's their policy on the phone?

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Vote with your paychecks.

 

[Defender2010]

Do

I have had my Apple Watch for months and found out today that my employer updated the policy manual stating that no smart watches are allowed while at work. I am of course extremely bummed because I work 10-11 hour days full time and use the Apple Watch mainly for activity tracking. I'm wondering if I will be allowed to wear it in my pocket or figure out a way to strap it to my bra and if I do that if it would still count my activity?? Of course this is if my employer doesn't also state that we cannot have it on us period. If I am not able to have it on me whatsoever is it worth keeping vs selling () and getting a Fitbit since I work so much and would basically only wear it from 5pm until bed time on weekdays and then on weekends. Man I am so upset about this. I love my Apple Watch! Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. I am a receptionist and do not work somewhere where security is an issue so I do not even understand why they are banning them.

Do tell us the name of your employer. Sounds like a douchebag in this modern age. A good employee is a happy employee

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Do tell us the name of your employer. Sounds like a douchebag in this modern age. A good employee is a happy employee

Do you really want to get the OP fired?

 

[JK1216]

Only thing I can add is wear it hid and get caught. Would you lose your job? Why take the chance. What's their policy on the phone?

No phones on you and no use of phone while on the clock. That's been a rule for awhile but everyone occasionally checks their phones.
[doublepost=1456445403][/doublepost]

Do

Do tell us the name of your employer. Sounds like a douchebag in this modern age. A good employee is a happy employee

Ummm. No. Lol.

 

[FrisbeeK9]

I have had my Apple Watch for months and found out today that my employer updated the policy manual stating that no smart watches are allowed while at work. I am of course extremely bummed because I work 10-11 hour days full time and use the Apple Watch mainly for activity tracking. I'm wondering if I will be allowed to wear it in my pocket or figure out a way to strap it to my bra and if I do that if it would still count my activity?? Of course this is if my employer doesn't also state that we cannot have it on us period. If I am not able to have it on me whatsoever is it worth keeping vs selling () and getting a Fitbit since I work so much and would basically only wear it from 5pm until bed time on weekdays and then on weekends. Man I am so upset about this. I love my Apple Watch! Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. I am a receptionist and do not work somewhere where security is an issue so I do not even understand why they are banning them.

Maybe it's time to look for another job

 

[Mr Kram]

Vote with your paychecks.

i don't know where you live, but a good job isn't easy to find these days. but if the OP feels strongly enough, maybe this is a viable option. just seems extreme to me.

Do tell us the name of your employer. Sounds like a douchebag in this modern age. A good employee is a happy employee

a good employee is a productive employee. while many people are able to focus on their work without being too distracted by a smart device, there are those who aren't. and from an employer's perspective, the rules have to apply to everyone. banning the apple watch is not far fetched to me.

 

[JK1216]

Maybe it's time to look for another job

I've been there for a long time and also have just enrolled in their health plan for my family since my husband lost his job and cannot provide that a more. So I have to stay there. But the thought did cross my mind....for sure.
[doublepost=1456447731][/doublepost]

i don't know where you live, but a good job isn't easy to find these days. but if the OP feels strongly enough, maybe this is a viable option. just seems extreme to me.



a good employee is a productive employee. while many people are able to focus on their work without being too distracted by a smart device, there are those who aren't. and from an employer's perspective, the rules have to apply to everyone. banning the apple watch is not far fetched to me.

I can understand that but there are less than 15 employees and none other than me have a smart watch. My boss didn't even know I had one until I replied to her email about the change telling her that I wear it for activity tracking and wanted clarification. It has been under a long sleeve shirt at work everyday since I have had it.

 

[Mr Kram]

I've been there for a long time and also have just enrolled in their health plan for my family since my husband lost his job and cannot provide that a more. So I have to stay there. But the thought did cross my mind....for sure.
[doublepost=1456447731][/doublepost]

I can understand that but there are less than 15 employees and none other than me have a smart watch. My boss didn't even know I had one until I replied to her email about the change telling her that I wear it for activity tracking and wanted clarification. It has been under a long sleeve shirt at work everyday since I have had it.

still, even though you don't abuse the use of the watch, you cannot expect her? to make an exception only for you. obviously, the no phone policy must have been put in place because there was a prior issue with someone. i mean it does suck, but i totally get it because i've been on the other side. keep the watch and enjoy in your off time. resale sucks now anyway. i have 2 and don't wear either of them much, but i'm just gonna hang on to them for now.

 

[BarracksSi]

No phones on you and no use of phone while on the clock. That's been a rule for awhile but everyone occasionally checks their phones.

Hmm.

I know some places ban smartphones and wrist gadgets (some ban personal phones altogether) for security reasons.

Where I worked, we eventually discouraged carrying our phones around simply because they were becoming a distraction. We senior types were told to keep ours handy in case we needed to be reached quickly, but we also knew to not sit there in front of the others and futz around on Facebook. And, frankly, most of our daily tasks could be accomplished without a phone at all.

How does your workplace compare? Can it be argued that a smartwatch doesn't do much without a phone? Or maybe park your phone in your personal gear and switch the watch to airplane mode?

 

[GoCubsGo]

Do

Do tell us the name of your employer. Sounds like a douchebag in this modern age. A good employee is a happy employee

In this modern age there are still companies that do not allow smart phones and by extension, smart watches. Douchebags or not, usually it's about security. In the OP's case, it sounds like it's just a stupid rule.

Sucks OP, I would figure that a Fitbit would serve you better because the watch became something that you cannot use most of the time.

 

[ftlum]

There might be some sort of increased productivity from the watch you could mention. One important thing for me is that I no longer miss messages or phone calls by not hearing them (I'd often not hear my phone go off in my pocket). That probably doesn't apply to you, but you get the idea. You could also say how you're needing it for health improvement-- less time being sick /off work? The other thing that could be pointed out is that there's no web browsing capabilities, so it's not like you'd be wasting time doing that. Just make sure you don't show any games that might reside on your watch if you're showing the boss what it can and can't do .

 

[hovscorpion12]

That is unfortunate. Unfortunately some companies have banned smartwatches and cellphone use. I would not encourage selling if you do love your Apple Watch. A fitbit would be a good alternative since you stated you track your activity. Apple Watch for weekend, casual activity.

 

[maxsix]

I have had my Apple Watch for months and found out today that my employer updated the policy manual stating that no smart watches are allowed while at work. I am of course extremely bummed because I work 10-11 hour days full time and use the Apple Watch mainly for activity tracking. I'm wondering if I will be allowed to wear it in my pocket or figure out a way to strap it to my bra and if I do that if it would still count my activity?? Of course this is if my employer doesn't also state that we cannot have it on us period. If I am not able to have it on me whatsoever is it worth keeping vs selling () and getting a Fitbit since I work so much and would basically only wear it from 5pm until bed time on weekdays and then on weekends. Man I am so upset about this. I love my Apple Watch! Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. I am a receptionist and do not work somewhere where security is an issue so I do not even understand why they are banning them.

What you're experiencing is a new emerging practice by a growing number of companies. So new that it hasn't received much attention from the press. The first of February the large scale enterprise my cousin works for issued a new policy banning all smartwatches. A firm based in the USA they employ approx ten thousand people. Rumor within the company alluded to time wasted while playing with one's watch.

Then to my surprise the company I work for issued a heads up that beginning March 1st smartwatches are banned at our organization of approx 20,000 employees across the USA. Good thing I had already returned my Apple Watch. In just the last ten days I've heard of a few more companies large and small that are following this new trend. How long it lasts will be interesting.

Things are most certainly changing.

 

[BarracksSi]

What I think is funny is, my AW allowed me to keep my iPhone at a lower profile at work.

One of my coworkers would get the same text at the same time, but his phone buzzed and dinged while my watch discreetly tapped my wrist.

I was able to receive, then choose to ignore or relay the text, without anyone else in the room realizing I even got it in the first place.

But, OP, if your workplace doesn't do anything through your personal phones like mine did, my situation wouldn't really apply…

 

[ScottNWDW]

The company I work for doesn't ban the wearing of smart watches, but they do ban certain colors of watchbands. The watchband guidelines apply to all watches regardless of the type of watch. They do however, ban the use of cell phones in customer areas.

 

[BradWould]

Do

Do tell us the name of your employer. Sounds like a douchebag in this modern age. A good employee is a happy employee

I'm not allowed to wear mine at work. I'm in manufacturing. It's a safety/ quality concern. I agree if this is an office setting its a bit ridiculous to ban the watch. My employer just doesn't think people would appreciate finding an Apple Watch in their truck tire haha.

 

[matt9013]

Sucks you can't wear it at work. Glad my work would never not allow me to wear a smartwatch or even care enough to not allow them. Personally for me I wouldn't even bother with a smartwatch if I couldn't wear it at work as I spend most time at work or at home. Unless it's the weekend but that's just me.

 

[cutemoto]

Where trousers & strap it to you ankle

 

[BarracksSi]

In the locker room today, I started wondering if some places would restrict smartwatches for the sake of privacy.

I know, most models don't have cameras, but a few have. Samsung briefly tried to promote their Galaxy Gear's camera with an ad showing a skier stalking a girl on the slopes, secretly taking pictures via his Gear.

Also, rather than making teachers inspect every student's wrist for smartwatches which could be used for cheating, some schools have taken to banning watches altogether during exams.

My point is, there's often a "why" behind every rule. If the "why" isn't very good, the rule can be modified.