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By Harriette Halepis

As soon as the news leaked that cell phones equipped with GPS tracking systems could effectively track employees, many employers began handing out GPS cell phones. To those employers, a simple cost-effective cell phone seemed like a great alternative to more expensive GPS trackers. While a large number of employers had hoped that tracking employees would lead to less company time wasted, what they didn’t bargain for was good old-fashioned dishonesty.

Cell phones are tricky things. They give people the ability to call anyone from anywhere at any time. They also give people the ability to trick employers. How? While a regular GPS tracking device can be installed inside of a vehicle, a GPS tracking cell phone is largely moveable. This means that those employees that have GPS-capable cell phones can easily pretend to be working, even when this isn’t the case.

By simply placing a GPS cell phone in a desired area, employers are instantly tricked into believing that their employees are working. The truth of the matter is that an employee can really be anywhere – even though the cell phone tracker proves otherwise. GPS cell phones aren’t helping employers keep tabs on employees – instead, they are helping employees enjoy more time spent away from work.

Even those employers that are wise to this trick really have no way of knowing whether or not an employee is actually where they say they are. Employers that attempt to call GPS tracking cell phones (in the hopes of speaking with an employee to verify location) may be surprised to find out that an employer’s cell phone has just run out of juice. Removing a cell phone battery from a GPS tracking cell phone is far too easy to do.

In the end, it never benefits an employer to try and save a few dollars by purchasing GPS-ready cell phones instead of real GPS tracking devices. While installing permanent GPS tracking devices inside of company vehicles may be more expensive, employers can rest assured that employees are where they claim to be – not taking a break on company time.

Cell phones have come a long way from their humble beginnings, though using cell phones to keep tabs on employees should be a concept that is carefully weighed. GPS tracking can save companies a lot of money if the real devices are use. Replacing a GPS tracking device with a cell phone won’t benefit employers in any manner.