Methods to Exhibit Appropriate Cell Phone Etiquette in the Workplace
Cellphones are a mainstay in the workplace, and they've had a huge impact on how business is conducted -- but annoyances from cellphone ringtones and call-outs have the potential to distract employees and disrupt important meetings. Develop a cellphone etiquette policy to keep your coworkers informed of appropriate cellphone behavior.
Other People Are Reading
-
Avoid Disruptive Ringtones
-
Avoid the use loud, distracting ringtones, such as those with dialogue or particularly long jingles. Remember to turn them off when in your office or in meetings. Kelly Services recommends that, if you insist on a ringtone, use one that’s more professional, or just a normal ring sound.
Use the Vibrate Ring
-
According to "Inc." magazine, general cellphone etiquette includes automatically setting your phone to vibrate, rather than a ringtone. A normal ring on a cellphone may annoy your coworkers, especially if it’s a continuous ring that goes unanswered. The vibrate function on a cellphone is distinctive and unobtrusive, quietly alerting you to important calls.
-
Lower Voice During Calls
-
Learn to speak quietly during cellphone conversations to avoid disrupting employees in nearby cubicles. Avoid the use of profanity. A good cellphone policy designates specific areas where cellphone usage is permitted. Cafeterias, lobbies or empty meeting rooms are good examples. One common office policy is to stand at least 10 feet away from others while you're on the phone.
Texting
-
If an office cellphone call doesn’t require you to talk, text the caller instead. This is especially important if the call is personal. Text messages get to the point and don't require you to speak out loud. You also leave your cell phone line open for important business calls, and create longer periods of quiet in the office.
-
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
