Leaving mobile phone usage in the workplace unmanaged can lead to problems down the line.
If employees use their phones during work hours too frequently, then this can lead to:
- Lack of productivity in the workplace
- Poor customer service and increased complaints
- Distracted or disengaged team members
- Safety concerns
Take the following steps to manage and reduce mobile phone use:
- Make your policies clear from the get-go: Include a document that outlines your policy when you send your employees their contracts. Make sure there is a poster in the workplace that states your expectations. If overuse persists, directly talk to the employee and express your expectations.
- Consider restricting when phones can be used at all. This could mean that employees can only use their phones during breaks or keep them with them only for emergencies. If employees have a customer-facing role, consider lockers for them to keep their phones in when working.
- Set rules out when it comes to taking or making calls. Although you cannot monitor this completely, it allows employees to understand what is expected of them.
- Do not let inappropriate or excessive use slide after you have communicated that it is not allowed in the workplace. The consequences will depend on your workplace, but don’t let it be ignored.
