Adopted by President’s Cabinet 6/27/23
Prompt, courteous answers to telephone calls and voice mail messages are very important. Telephone manners should always reflect a professional demeanor. College telephone lines must be kept clear for business use. Personal calls during business hours should be limited and, whenever possible, made during the employee's lunch period. Except in the case of an anticipated emergency, personal cell phones should be on mute or vibrate so as not to disturb others or interfere with work. Excessive personal telephone use will result in disciplinary action. Personal long-distance calls may not be charged to the College, as this constitutes a misuse of state funds. Other college equipment, such as copiers and fax machines are also for college business only.
Telephones
Official local and long-distance calls should be placed by dialing 9, the area code, and the phone number. An employee directory is available on the East Georgia State College website.
Voicemail
A department main number is never to be forwarded to a voicemail, with the exception of holiday closures.
All greetings are to be personalized and changed when users intend to be out of the office for more than one day, especially if they do not plan to check voicemail.
An out of office greeting should provide the caller with an alternative name and telephone number to contact in case of emergency.
Cell Phone Usage
The use of a cell phone while driving may present a hazard to the driver, other employees, and the general public.
For more information on cell phone usage while driving, please review the Fleet Management and Motor Vehicle policy here.
Violation of this policy will subject an employee to disciplinary action up to and including discharge.
