Cell phone use at work has generated constant debate about the best approach for companies regarding this practice. It has caused countless setbacks between employees and managers, from wasted time and reduced productivity to dismissal for cause, resulting in labor lawsuits between employees and the company.
A study conducted by the Methodist University of São Paulo found that one in five professionals spends up to 15 minutes per hour on their cell phone during work hours—25% of their time. This results in a waste of two hours per day, considering an eight-hour workday. To calculate the cost to your company of this lost time, you can use this time-wasting calculation tool , which allows you to enter the number of employees and the cost per employee.
The company has the autonomy and right to restrict the use of personal cell phones in the workplace, as long as it provides another means of communication for emergencies. Employees who do not follow these guidelines may be notified and even fired for cause. To this end, employees must be aware of the restrictions and respective penalties for non-compliance. The company must prepare a document outlining the rules regarding the use of devices and the respective penalties. Download a template for this document here .
To avoid unpleasant situations and friction between parties, companies are advised to have clear and coherent guidelines. In return, employees should exercise common sense and control when using devices, always prioritizing company activities and their own professional productivity.
Productivity and results
Using a cell phone at work doesn't necessarily lead to a drop in productivity. Therefore, managers are advised to always monitor the execution of activities and track results. The focus should be on production, with goals and objectives set by employees and the team. This is especially true because, for some activities, such as sales and customer service, cell phones can contribute to the execution of certain tasks.
Companies should strive to develop a healthy and productive culture around cell phone use. For example, educate employees that posting photos at work, making jokes on social media, or engaging in personal conversations can harm their performance, but at the same time, demonstrate that conscious smartphone use can be used to develop contacts and communicate with clients. The use of these devices should be focused on the collective benefit between the company and its employees.
Another important point is that directors and leaders must set an example of good use, using devices only to perform company tasks and to communicate with staff, customers or suppliers.
When using cell phones for team communication, such as WhatsApp groups, it is the leader's responsibility to define the rules, add or remove participants, and warn those who send inappropriate content.
Better to control and monitor than to prohibit
Banning cell phone use at work is considered a radical and unadvisable measure. The company may create an image of an imposing management system that disregards employees' needs. This could even demotivate some professionals. The ban can also be considered abusive if the company fails to provide employees with other means of contact.
Again, common sense and balance are important. On the company side, device use can be managed, allowing use during certain break times or using access control tools like Lumiun , defining what can and cannot be accessed on the device. In addition to restrictions, these tools allow detailed monitoring of what employees are accessing, generating information that can be used to adjust the device usage policy and even in decision-making in the case of employees who do not comply with the rules.
Within this management, some basic guidelines are also important, such as requiring cell phones to be kept in a drawer or bag and always on silent. Professionals can also disable notifications from apps that can compromise focus and concentration, and only check news during breaks and rest periods.
Finally, as cell phones are increasingly present in our daily lives, it is up to companies and professionals to develop a conscious way of using this powerful tool, so that everyone benefits.
And at your company, how is cell phone use handled at work? Share your experience, highlighting the positive and negative aspects of your company's policy.
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