Proper use of cell phones in the workplace

Cell phones seem to be the newest body part but it’s a part that is causing some employers to crack down on the abuse of cell phone usage on company time. Employees have gone as far as to take frequent restroom breaks just to conduct conversations that are trivial at best. There are some brazen employees who need to take a minute to decide which phone to answer, their ringing personal cell phone or the office line they are being paid to answer. Too often they choose their personal cell phone without any consequence from the employer or protest from the customers.{{more}}

In the event you forgot, your personal cell phone is just that, your personal cell phone and it should be turned off when working unless it’s being used for work purposes.

Check your voice mail when you have a break and return calls then. Don’t try to save your minutes by having friends and family signal you on your cell and then you use the company phone to return the call.

Having a picture phone does not give you the licence to take pictures of colleagues in compromising situations. Get permission before you take a photo.

Cell phones should be turned off or placed on vibrate when in meetings, religious ceremonies, restaurants, museums, movies, hospitals and doctor’s offices.

For safety reasons, avoid using your cell phone while driving or use a headset to lessen the chances of being distracted.

Avoid the tendency to discuss very personal matters, confidential business information, or argue in public.

Lower your voice, and keep the conversation short. Regardless of who you are speaking with there is no need to have your conversation sound like a shouting match.

If you are with a group of people and your cell phone rings, excuse yourself from the group and keep the conversation brief.

Avoid the tendency to speak on the phone while interacting with someone else whether that is in a store, at school, the bank etc. Do one thing at a time.

Be selective about where you answer your phone. You will annoy others if you answer your phone in a public place and proceed to have a long, involved conversation.

• Karen Hinds President/CEO – Workplace Success Group, Toll Free: 1-877-902-2775; Tel: 1-203-757-4103

Karen@WorkplaceSuccess.com

www.WorkplaceSuccess.com

Creator of The Workplace Success Program (TM)