Cell Phone Policies and Preventing Abuse in the Work Place

If you are like me, you have employees who use cell phones and bring them to work.  In my industry, my employees don’t need to use their phones during the work hours, so it isn’t necessary for them to have their phones for client calls.  I have a clear policy on when cell phones should be used, and have had issues in the past with guidelines not being followed.

Do you have issues with employees using their cell phones when they shouldn’t (and affecting the efficiency of your work process?)  What can you do to prevent the employees’ working time from being wasted while they are on their cell phones?

1. The first thing to do is make sure you have a written policy regarding when employees can and/or can’t use their phones.  Don’t assume your employees know the policy.  Discuss this policy with all new hires at the start of employment.
2. Remind employees that their rest periods are their breaks from work and that cell phones may be used during this time.
3. If an employee is concerned they’ll receive a call during work hours they just can’t miss (perhaps they are expecting a call from a doctor, or their child wasn’t feeling 100% but they went to school, and the parent is concerned they may need to pick them up early, etc), have them discuss with you ahead of time the process to allow them to take this call. Perhaps have them give their cell number and time they can take the call to the doctor’s office, or have the school contact the parent using the work number.  Determining a solution that is reasonable but doesn’t allow the employee access to their cell phone for other purposes is your goal.
4. If the employee fails to follow your guidelines, institute progressive discipline.  Give a verbal warning for the first offense, a written reprimand for a subsequent offense, and continue progressive discipline up to termination if necessary.

Remember that employees have no legal right to bring their electronic devices into the workplace.  Employers may restrict cell phone use, or even ban their presence.  If your business requires employees to use their own devices for work related duties, talk to a human resources specialist to determine what policies you should institute in regard to their electronic devices.  Keep in mind laws can change in your state, so contact an expert in your area if you have questions regarding workplace laws regarding cell phones in the workplace.