Mobile Phone Etiquette at the Office

INTRODUCTION

Mobile/cellular phones play a vital role in keeping employees connected with business contacts and friends and family in case of emergency and are therefore a necessary feature in the work place. They have given employers increased access to their employees making those individuals more available and connected to their jobs. However, there is a sense that establishing mobile/cellular phone guidelines has become increasingly important to ensure that efficiency and professionalism are not compromised.

This document sets forth the Anguilla Public Service Guidelines about mobile/cellular phone usage, whether the device has been supplied by Government or is personally owned and applies to all public officers.  For purposes of these Guidelines the term mobile/cellular phone is defined as any handheld electronic device with the ability to receive and/or transmit voice, text or data messages without a cable connection.  Public Administration reserves the right to modify and update these Guidelines at any time.

These Guidelines recognize that mobile/cellular phones are business tools and multi-functional and therefore have the intent to be reasonable. They seek to guard against excessive or inappropriate use of mobile/cellular phones by public officers in the work place that would lead to a reduction in concentration, productivity and customer service.

SECTION 1:   USE OF PERSONAL MOBILE/CELLULAR PHONE OR SIMILAR   DEVICES

• General use at work (based on values of courtesy and respect):-
1. Mobile/cellular phones should be set to silent/vibrate in the work environment.
2. Officers are expected to exercise discretion in using personal mobile/cellular phones.  Excessive personal calls during the workday, regardless of the phone used, can interfere with employee productivity and be distracting to others.
3. Unless there is an emergency or it is crucially important (As far as possible) personal calls/texting should be made during breaks/lunch.
4. Avoid using your mobile/cellular in the presence of or while serving customers.
5. If it is necessary to make or answer a call this should be done in a private area.
6. If it is necessary to speak on the phone in the presence of others then do so in low tones.
7. Avoid as much as possible interrupting colleagues to answer your mobile/cellular phone.
8. Avoid answering your mobile/cellular phone whilst in a meeting unless a protocol permitting this has been established.  In the absence of an established protocol, if it is absolutely necessary to answer the phone the guidelines outlined above should be followed.
• Unsafe work situation
1. Mobile/cellular phones, personal or Government owned should not be used in unsafe work situations.

SECTION 2:  SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGERIAL STAFF

It is important for management to provide a good example of mobile/cellular phone use and to guard against excessive or inappropriate use of personal mobile/cellular phones by their officers.