Hmmm. I tend to agree with your conclusion. The employer does seem to be incredibly petty, and once she's got rid of smart watches she'll probably find something else to ban.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Watch: Banned at Work? [MERGED]
- Thread starter cwosigns
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
So are activity trackers allowed? Where exactly does she draw the line? Assuming FitBits are allowed, does that include the models with smartwatch features like the new Blaze that even looks like an Apple Watch? I find it bizarre that she wants to take such a hard line against a personal device that has never caused a single problem in your workplace. I hope she understands that the Apple Watch loses much of its value to you if it can't be worn as a fitness tracker throughout the day, and that you will lose a significant amount of money selling it used. As a manager I feel like this is crossing an unreasonable line given that we have established there is no safety or security concern. It's one thing to have a dress code at work, or to ban smartphones. Those rules apply only to the workplace, but this rule affects your life outside the workplace as well. I imagine this animal clinic must have one epic employee manual to fit in all of the restrictions!
Last edited:
If I were you I would simply not wear it to work, for unless you work 20 hour days most of your activity will be outside of work anyway. I'm sure you already have some data on your watch, so just calculate an estimated activity you do when you are at work into your activity log. I wouldn't secretly hide your watch, for it wouldn't be worth being fired over it if by some small chance it was discovered.
Yes... if you don't move around or walk that much at work then the only activity ring that takes a big hit is the Stand ring. I would have a tougher time because I walk a lot across a university campus to attend meetings, so I log a lot of movement and walking throughout the workday. More importantly the Apple Watch adds a lot to my productivity throughout the workday. I get text messages from my staff, alerts when a system goes down, reminders of meetings I need to attend, reminders of things I need to do at specific times, etc. All silent notifications I can quickly glance at and quickly take action on if necessary. Overall I use the Apple Watch a lot more at work and for work than I do at home.
If you don't use the watch for work then there isn't much to justify wearing it at work for more than fitness tracking.... and you might log the bulk of your activity outside of work anyway. If you go for long walks or runs at lunch, put it on at lunch and hope you remember to take it off before you go back to work. That's going to be an issue right there: Watches are things we tend to put on without thinking about it. Sooner or later you will go to work without realizing you put it on until you get a notification.
Some people prefer using other devices like Fitbits for fitness tracking even if they have the Apple Watch. The Fitbit One is inexpensive and can be carried in your pocket or clipped somewhere hidden.
Sean
It honestly sounds like it's time for a new job. I'd never work somewhere that treats employees like children.
That might be it for me...I have an oppression allergy....
Well, I'm thinking your ankle would work better in terms of mounting and still tracking your fitness data.
If they're saying no smart watches I really doubt they'll be enlightened enough to allow you to wear a fitbit (or do they allow that and they have a chip on their shoulder about smart watches?) (some small business owners can be pretty petty).
But, you need to make sure there's absolutely no chance of getting caught - especially with your hubby out of work - losing your job for something so trivial would be pretty awful!! If you can't ensure it's always covered (socks) and discreet, then I wouldn't wear it (put it up on eBay).
I work 12 hour days so most of my activity is spent at work.
[doublepost=1456836169][/doublepost]
Everyone has Fitbit's there so yes those are allowed.
[doublepost=1456836269][/doublepost]
It's ridiculous.
[doublepost=1456836419][/doublepost]
It is epic. Lol.So are activity trackers allowed? Where exactly does she draw the line? Assuming FitBits are allowed, does that include the models with smartwatch features like the new Blaze that even looks like an Apple Watch? I find it bizarre that she wants to take such a hard line against a personal device that has never caused a single problem in your workplace. I hope she understands that the Apple Watch loses much of its value to you if it can't be worn as a fitness tracker throughout the day, and that you will lose a significant amount of money selling it used. As a manager I feel like this is crossing an unreasonable line given that we have established there is no safety or security concern. It's one thing to have a dress code at work, or to ban smartphones. Those rules apply only to the workplace, but this rule affects your life outside the workplace as well. I imagine this animal clinic must have one epic employee manual to fit in all of the restrictions!
Your boss sounds extremely inflexible (and a bit ignorant too). I'm guessing she had a rule at home forbidding mobile phone use and her son somehow acquires a smartwatch, remains connected and now she feels like a dope who got played and is implementing a nonsensical rule at the office in retaliation as a surrogate for her lost power at home.
While I would not inform her, does she realize many of the fitness trackers support notifications?
Her reasoning about bending the rules makes no sense if she's the one making the rules. She doesn't need to create exceptions, she can simply reverse her stance. (Which in her mind causes her to lose face).
While I'm sorry the AW may no longer have as much use for you, I think you should go out and buy a Microsoft Band out of spite. It's not marketed as a watch and resembles other fitness trackers, yet does a decent job on the notification front.
While I would not inform her, does she realize many of the fitness trackers support notifications?
Her reasoning about bending the rules makes no sense if she's the one making the rules. She doesn't need to create exceptions, she can simply reverse her stance. (Which in her mind causes her to lose face).
While I'm sorry the AW may no longer have as much use for you, I think you should go out and buy a Microsoft Band out of spite. It's not marketed as a watch and resembles other fitness trackers, yet does a decent job on the notification front.
Wow... so you could show up with a Fitbit Blaze and that would comply with the rules... but the Apple Watch does not? You could just buy a different color band for your Apple Watch and tell her it's the new Fitbit Blaze... they look enough alike to the untrained eye
I would be tempted to point out to your boss that it is unfair to discriminate against one brand of wearable while allowing others. She probably isn't aware that some Fitbit models offer notifications. Only problem with that is that it could lead to Fitbits getting banned as well (which will make your coworkers despise you) or you getting fired for stirring the pot too much.
Sean
From the sounds of it the boss would ban all wearables including Fitbit's if someone tried to do that. But from the sound of it Fitbit's may not last long as being allowed as it's only a matter of time before someone points out it can get notifications.Wow... so you could show up with a Fitbit Blaze and that would comply with the rules... but the Apple Watch does not? You could just buy a different color band for your Apple Watch and tell her it's the new Fitbit Blaze... they look enough alike to the untrained eye
I would be tempted to point out to your boss that it is unfair to discriminate against one brand of wearable while allowing others. She probably isn't aware that some Fitbit models offer notifications. Only problem with that is that it could lead to Fitbits getting banned as well (which will make your coworkers despise you) or you getting fired for stirring the pot too much.
Sean
Allowing fitbit's but not allowing smart watches is absolutely ridiculous. If you have any friend or friends of friends that are labour lawyers, you may want to ask them about their "splitting of hairs".
Their rule now equates to stating "you can't wear the colour blue in the workplace". You simply can't separate the two...especially as fitbit will be adding more "smart" capability over the next iterations.
Wow... so you could show up with a Fitbit Blaze and that would comply with the rules... but the Apple Watch does not? You could just buy a different color band for your Apple Watch and tell her it's the new Fitbit Blaze... they look enough alike to the untrained eye
I would be tempted to point out to your boss that it is unfair to discriminate against one brand of wearable while allowing others. She probably isn't aware that some Fitbit models offer notifications. Only problem with that is that it could lead to Fitbits getting banned as well (which will make your coworkers despise you) or you getting fired for stirring the pot too much.
Sean
Fired for stirring the pot? Somebody has to speak up and make sure there's even browning on both sides...
Yeah, all that'll accomplish is the employer will change "smartwatches" to "notification-capable wearables," and that still won't help the OP.
I still say "Vote with your paychecks." Nobody put a gun to the OP's head and forced her to accept a job with no phone on her person. It makes perfect sense that they'd disallow wearables that have the same functions as phones.
Last edited:
Actually, they can fire you for wearing blue, if it is against company dress code.
If there's a dress code that states what colors you are to wear when reprenting the company/working, then you can be legally terminated for failing to abide by the dress code.
I've worked for a lot of employers that had such policies. Some go beyond color, and even state brand and style of pants and shirt.
Bummed for OP. Unless there are security/safety reasons, I see no reason to drop the banhammer company-wide. Maybe if it was a widespread problem, people spending all day on their gadgets. But otherwise, no.
One thing I've never understood though -- you see people like OP & others have rules in place at their work (no smart watch, no cell phone)...most employers monitor internet/e-mail/company phone usage...so I've never understood how so many people spend all day posting on message boards and social networking sites(?) Obviously not everyone works a 9-5 job. Some people (nurses, factory workers) work shifts, so they may be off during the day. But I've always been astounded at how many people are posting all over the internet all day. Many of them have to be at their jobs while doing it (law of averages). At my job you can get canned for going on the internet/sending too many e-mails/making personal phone calls.
I now save all my internet searching for after hours or during a lunch break. I'm amazed (and jealous) at how many companies seem to allow lots of personal internet use during business hours.
One thing I've never understood though -- you see people like OP & others have rules in place at their work (no smart watch, no cell phone)...most employers monitor internet/e-mail/company phone usage...so I've never understood how so many people spend all day posting on message boards and social networking sites(?) Obviously not everyone works a 9-5 job. Some people (nurses, factory workers) work shifts, so they may be off during the day. But I've always been astounded at how many people are posting all over the internet all day. Many of them have to be at their jobs while doing it (law of averages). At my job you can get canned for going on the internet/sending too many e-mails/making personal phone calls.
I now save all my internet searching for after hours or during a lunch break. I'm amazed (and jealous) at how many companies seem to allow lots of personal internet use during business hours.
You're what's called every employer's darling. smh
[doublepost=1456916505][/doublepost]
I work in a company (around 2100 workers) with its own health management staff department. We also have a specialist for integration into employment e.g. if someone was ill for a longer time or is chronically ill (problems with back, heart, depressions) etc. He can help you with the kind of work you do, where you are located in the office/building etc. etc.
So, my employer cares a lot about the health of his employees with a long life hopefully being part of it.
But then again, I work in the old world, the oh so liberal Europe and not in a hire and fire society like the US.
Last edited:
Look I hate to say it but when you are employed by a company or business owner they make the rules, not you. As long as they fall within the confines of the law there's really nothing you can do about it. A similar discussion was started among Google Glass owners when one guy defied his workplace rules and wore it anyway because he felt it was his "right" then got fired and appealed to the online forum for sympathy. There were a surprising number of people who supported him and his fight against the "evil" employer.
But the simple truth is there is nothing that guarantees your right to wear Google Glass or a smartwatch or carry a personal cell phone on the job. The employer may have good reasons or stupid ones, it really doesn't matter. I know in a lot of hospitals nurses are not allowed to wear any kind of watch, and as others have said these things can be dangerous in some industrial plants.
Nothing against the OP and I agree it sucks when your employer makes rules for trivial reasons, but they are paying you for your time. If you don't like their rules, quit and find another job with a more relaxed work environment. I used to work in a very strict place where they treated professional employees like children and I hated it. I make less money now but I'm in a much more relaxed environment and I would never go back.
It's scary how much I've seen the "entitlement mentality" entering the workplace lately, from Glass and smartwatches to time off and schedules. Lots of people expect employers to cater to their wishes and then want higher wages too. A good employer will have consideration for their employees and treat them well, if they don't just move on and don't expect them to make exceptions for you. Unfortunately with the current state of the job market here in the US this is easier said than done which is why a lot of people have to stick with crappy jobs...
But the simple truth is there is nothing that guarantees your right to wear Google Glass or a smartwatch or carry a personal cell phone on the job. The employer may have good reasons or stupid ones, it really doesn't matter. I know in a lot of hospitals nurses are not allowed to wear any kind of watch, and as others have said these things can be dangerous in some industrial plants.
Nothing against the OP and I agree it sucks when your employer makes rules for trivial reasons, but they are paying you for your time. If you don't like their rules, quit and find another job with a more relaxed work environment. I used to work in a very strict place where they treated professional employees like children and I hated it. I make less money now but I'm in a much more relaxed environment and I would never go back.
It's scary how much I've seen the "entitlement mentality" entering the workplace lately, from Glass and smartwatches to time off and schedules. Lots of people expect employers to cater to their wishes and then want higher wages too. A good employer will have consideration for their employees and treat them well, if they don't just move on and don't expect them to make exceptions for you. Unfortunately with the current state of the job market here in the US this is easier said than done which is why a lot of people have to stick with crappy jobs...
I personally would not work for a company with such rules. As some others have said, the best employees are happy ones. I am at work more than anywhere else, and I would be damned if I wasn't happy there.
[doublepost=1456928796][/doublepost]
Multi-tasking. I am on my computer posting all day long, but I also get my work done. Little things like "slack" go a long way. I actually enjoy work, the people I work with, and the atmosphere the company has created. This has a lot to do with the freedom they give people. Working in this type on environment has made me expect this from an employer, and I would never take a job with such restrictions. I typically work between 50-60 hours a week (10-12 hour days), but it does not feel that way.
[doublepost=1456928796][/doublepost]
Multi-tasking. I am on my computer posting all day long, but I also get my work done. Little things like "slack" go a long way. I actually enjoy work, the people I work with, and the atmosphere the company has created. This has a lot to do with the freedom they give people. Working in this type on environment has made me expect this from an employer, and I would never take a job with such restrictions. I typically work between 50-60 hours a week (10-12 hour days), but it does not feel that way.
Last edited:
Well, I'm not talking about not wearing your uniform in a controlled environment (such as the military or hey, even McD's) - this is an office environment.
Allowing one brand of smart wearable but not another is a pretty biased policy. (ala, a Timex watch is ok, but a Casio watch is not). If an individual employee is abusing their use of a wearable, that's where it should be addressed (or, banish all of them) - but splitting hairs like this is pretty irrational.
I guess that is one advantage to being in Canada - we actually have a charter of rights and freedoms that extends to such topics. As long as your dress is reasonable for the environment, there's nothing your employer can do (here). It is surprising how many petty things can be used for dismissal in the US.
Basically what you are saying is there's no room for critical thinking in the workplace and employers such as the one described by the OP are perfect examples of hypocrites who say they want smart people who can think on their feet but in reality only want workers who will follow lock step 100% of the time and question nothing.
This reminds me of an old policy companies once had about having only American cars in their fleets. But then there was pushback because Toyotas and Hondas are built in America with majority American supplied parts while Fords and Chevys are built in Mexico and South Korea. You tell me which is more American? As an employee, you should be able to question management decisions so I wouldn't say there is nothing you can do about it.
However, I wholeheartedly agree with a previous poster, if you (the employer) are so afraid of your employees being distracted, then all wearables should be banned.
I do think the policy is ridiculous, but I also think the OP is expressing their frustration over the inconsistency. For instance, I think Costco's hairnet policy for food service workers is a bit over-the-top, but all employees, male and female are required to wear one regardless of length of hair so at least it is applied consistently.
Perhaps there is an entitlement mentality in the workplace, but that can go both ways with employers sometimes making unreasonable demands because they know employees may not be in a position to bargain.