A couple of months ago, my company installed a system to record some employees' phone calls. They set the recorder to record only employees who have external contact with customers, regulatory bodies or contract staff. The company has implemented this system to resolve conflicts, clarify positions, protect the integrity of the company's contracts and verbal commitments, and provide sales and customer service training. Naturally, this didn't go down well with some employees who thought it was an invasion of their privacy. Some employees have begun using cell phones or other company phones to make their personal calls. Others would complain to colleagues and supervisors about the company's lack of respect for their privacy. I believe that employees should not be bothered that the company is recording their phone calls because the phones are owned by the company and the employees are paid to work. Employees seem to believe that the assigned phone is their phone and they can make do with it however they want. Please. Having a phone is a privilege and employees seem to take it for granted. The company pays for the phones and provides them to its employees for business purposes. It follows the same principles as the computer; employees shouldn't have to browse certain types of web pages, and the company can actually log Internet activity and other computer activity quite easily. Legally, nothing employees do on their phones is private, and privacy is not implied. Additionally, employees should not make inappropriate personal calls. If an employee talks about inappropriate topics, they shouldn't talk about it at work, period. If the employee does not want their conversations recorded, they should not have them at work. Employees could use their cell phones to override the recording system, but people will know they are making a personal call. They can also go to another desk to make their personal phone calls, but that would mean they aren't working. While at work, employees should work on assigned tasks. Of course, I'm not saying they shouldn't be able to do some personal activities. Employees should be able to take breaks, gossip with colleagues, attend to personal business, and make personal phone calls, but these activities should be limited and should not disturb the employee's performance.