I'm sorry... that's total BS.

I almost got fired from a job for something like that once. I was a petsitter for a major company one summer (believe it or not, this paid $$$) and left my ipod in someone's dock. I was being paid to play with their dog inside for 45 minutes... I didn't see what was wrong with doing something harmless like putting on music. Not like I was even playing with their entertainment system.

I'd try speaking with someone higher up in the company. There is no doubt this *could* be viewed as questionable use of someone's vehicle, but I would think the worst they should do is write you up for it.

 

I half agree I'd be upset, but you have to be more realistic. We drive expensive cars that LOTS of dealers/mechs joyride in. If the odometer had 25 extra miles besides the phone, I'd be upset... if it was just a phone being charged, it's not a huge deal.

When I used to take my previous (non-convertibles) to car washes, they ALWAYS had spanish stations on the radio. Some people might flip out because it means they were listening to your system while they were supposed to be working, but I always tried to understand at least they weren't doing anything so wrong they tried to hide it.

 

about two thirds of the reply's fix the blame on you. i am always surprised how many peeps dont think things through...
-by how you written your post i dont think there is a tip of any iceberg here. you sounded generally very quiet and thoughtful. there is not any indication you were at fault here, how can people jump right away to the bad.
-putting a cell phone in a car to charge is not a bad. things have changed and cell phones are the norm, people need to wake up.
-parking in the wrong spot. they have someone walk around and take notes who parks where. normally people i know are so busy at work they dont have time. these are difficult times and if you dont have your people working at what they are good at you loose big time.
-its usually a dead end street for a service based company that treats its people like this.
-THE BIG DIFFERENCE is that if you get fired for cause you dont get unemployment. the employer is so near the edge of going out of business that they cant handle the increase in unemployment tax if they lay people off. there is such a stigma in getting unemployment i am sure someone here will chime in on this but in effect you and your employer paid into the account. this money is to tide you over till you can jump to an employer that is more successful. without another mouth to feed the previous employer can re tune their business model.

good luck in your search. if a prospective employer contacts your old place they should? only be able to supply information that you were employed and over what time period. call back into the place for good references from co workers and managers, customers that know you.

 

Some people in this thread are clueless. I had to fire my HR manager a couple weeks ago and it's not a fun thing to do, but you got to do what you got to do.

In this guy's case (OP), he broke two rules, and by most appearances and in his own words, he comes across as fairly young and unprofessional. In "employment at will" states, you can be terminated for most any reason other than discrimination or some other legally protected reason.

This dealership made up a couple, albeit relatively minor, reasons to terminate versus lay off to avoid paying unemployment benefits.

Please learn from this. I'm 30 and I've learned a great deal in my last couple jobs. If you want to be successful, get there early, stay late, act in a way that is beyond reproach. Be respectful and friendly to EVERY one of your co-workers, including your bosses and anyone that may be 'below' you.

In the business world, you have allies and you have enemies (i.e. people working against you). Get as many allies and minimize the number of enemies. Do this and you will go far.

 

Rules are Rules. You don't get special treatment because you're "quiet and thoughful". If he was thoughtful, he wouldn't have charged his phone in a customers car. We bring our cars in for service, not so someone can charge their phone in our cars because hes waiting for his baby girl to call. Why not charge it inside the break room?

If you were willing to defy rules to save walking distance, I can only wonder what routes you would take when fixing a customers car.

Its obvious he already knew what he did was wrong, but he was hoping to not get caught but he did. Thats what happens when you work for a big corporation like Honda. Almost all employees except management are expendable.

I am guessing you are no older than 20. You have a lot to learn young padawan.

 

I can't believe how many people think that working at a dealership means you're a Honda employee. You can be the best mechanic at your Honda dealership, and Honda prob. won't even know who you are!

 

Aren't you the same guy who doesn't think using a customers car as your phone charger is wrong? Might as well have lunch and smoke in it too.

 

Call Honda HR and tell them this.

 

If you break their rules, that is grounds for termination. HR does not really get involved in these types of situations unless it has to do with discrimination or racism.

Even if they are minor, the guy obviously broke their rules.

 

I didn't opine whether it was right or wrong, just asked how charging your phone is going to hurt it. Right or wrong, it's def. nowhere near the same as smoking or eating in it...to compare it to that is just ridiculous.