How to Use Mobile Phones in the Workplace

It seems everyone has a cell phone these days--it's almost impossible to remember or imagine the world without them. But the workplace used to have clear boundaries about personal phone calls prior to the widespread use of cell phones. You either could or could not make them and/or receive them. It was clear as a bell. But a little more finesse is required when deciding how to use your personal cell phone at work.

Things You'll Need

• Cell phone
• Employee handbook

Instructions

1. Determine your company's policy on cell phones in the workplace. Look in your company's employee handbook or look up in company policies on its website. If you don't find any information there, go to your supervisor. Ask for the rules about personal cell phone usage and stick to them.

2. Use common sense if there are no official rules or guidelines. Don't sit at your desk chatting loudly on the phone. Don't have loud or disturbing ringtones; put your phone on vibrate or turn off the ringtones completely.

3. Use your break and lunch times to make personal calls. If you eat at your desk, keep your voice and ringtones low, but do make your calls on personal time. Don't use a speakerphone to listen to your messages or have a conversation--it's just rude.

4. Do all your texting on the same personal time as you make calls. It might seem like texting during work or a meeting is not that much of a distraction, but it's about respect for your supervisors and colleagues and for your employer's time. Do all personal things on your breaks and at lunch.

5. Ask for permission when it's an emergency or crucially important. If you need to get a doctor's test result or find out if a relative is in the hospital, just talk to your supervisor and make sure he or she knows you are using your personal phone to track down needed information. If it's OK, do what you need to do.

Tips & Warnings

• If your personal cell phone is also a business phone, don't make personal use of it on company time.

References

• Donald Trump on Cell Phones in Office
• Cell Phone Use at Work