Bosses play Big Brother by cell phone

[Ian David]

Bosses play Big Brother by cell phone
By Jay Fitzgerald
Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - Updated: 02:26 AM EST

So you think you've pulled a fast one by hitting the links instead of attending a boring afternoon business conference.

Think again. Big Brother Boss may literally be watching your every move, via the cell phone in your pocket or car.

Corporations are increasingly using global positioning satellite technology, embedded in cell phone software, to pinpoint within yards where an employee is located – whether it's at a scheduled office-park sales meeting or on the seventh fairway of Franklin Park Golf Course.

Companies hail the new technology as an efficient way to keep track of and dispatch far-flung employees who work in the field.

``When you can see on a screen where employees are, you can more easily direct them to the next job,'' said Paul Abrams, a spokesman for Roto-Rooter Services Co., which is now using GPS-enabled cell phones to keep tabs on where its technicians are located.

More:
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=98401

[kedrys]

1. And now you know why I refuse to upgrade

my antiquated StarTac cell phone. Aside from the fact that it never drops calls, I don't need to be tracked down via satellite, I don't need a camera, I don't need text messaging, and I certainly don't need the latest Christina Spears ringtones. So there.

[DiverDave]

2. I had a friend that would cruise around looking for

construction projects to bid on for his company.

He would go golfing, and if the boss called and ask what he was doing, he would say "I'm driving around"

LOL he was one of a kind.

[Not_Giving_Up]

3. My father in law works for SBC

They have GPS in their vehicles so that they can be tracked, but he uses his personal cell phone.

[leveymg]

4. A cell phone is an ideal bug that can be used to track and monitor

your conversations. If you really want privacy, don't carry it around with you.

Nevertheless, unless you have a really snoopy boss or are on the No-Fly list, chances are nobody much cares where you are or what you have to say.

[Mutley]

5. Remind me to never use a company car or cell phone.

:tinfoilhat:

[Ian David]

6. You can carry your cellphone in a pouch lined with aluminum foil

That should block any cellular or satellite signal.

Of course, that also means it won't ring if someone calls you, but that's what voicemail is for.

[Mutley]

7. Really?

Or would that be a really :tinfoilhat: thing to do?

[Ian David]

8. Well, if you KNOW your boss is doing it, and you don't like it...

I'm going to test it on MY phone and see if it works.

[Ian David]

9. Okay, a single layer of aluminum foil was enough to make it drop carrier

I just wrapped foil around a plastic cup, dialed my voicemail, put the phone on speaker, dropped it in the cup, and put a sheet of foil over the top.

I heard it "drop-carrier" almost immediately.

I don't know if this would work on GPS satellite signals though.

It also makes a cute hat.

[Mutley]

11. LOL. I'll keep that in mind if I ever get a company phone.

You should post a pic of the hat. :rofl:

[noonwitch]

10. My work cell phone is for emergencies, only, so I don't turn it on usually

Even if they could track me, they'll just find me working my butt off.