7 Steps to Stop Employees From Using Cell Phones at Work
How to Stop Employees From Using Cell Phones at Work
1. Talk about the benefits of not using cell phones
Try to not introduce company policies without explaining to employees why you think the policies make sense. By explaining yourself, you will show employees how much you value and respect them.
You are willing to have meaningful conversations with staff members who may be a few steps below you on the corporate hierarchy. This is what being an approachable manager is all about.
If you can explain how a no cell phone policy will benefit employees, then they will be more likely to honor the policy.
For example, maybe you don’t want cell phones to be out because they affect productivity. If employees are distracted, then they cannot produce their best work. They cannot be the best workers that they can be.
To put it bluntly, excessive cell phone usage is a form of self-sabotage. Employees must be productive if they want to get ahead in their careers. This means getting rid of distractions.
In addition, safety might be an issue. You don’t want employees to use cell phones because you don’t want anyone to get hurt, especially if the company uses heavy machinery in its production processes.
Overall, before implementing cell phone restrictions, you should emphasize to employees how you are thinking about them. You are being thoughtful. Employees will acknowledge and appreciate that.
2. Create the policy
If you want to stop employees from using cell phones at work, then you must create a company policy against cell phone usage. You should clearly state when cell phones are allowed versus not allowed.
You should also describe the consequences of violating the policy. For example, offending employees might receive a verbal warning or a formal write-up. They might also be terminated if their actions are severe enough.
Keep in mind that a strict company policy might discourage talented job seekers from wanting to work at your company. Therefore, be reasonable.
Look at what your industry peers are doing. You wouldn’t want all the best workers to work for your competitors.
3. Consider using a balanced approach
Maybe you don’t have to impose an outright ban on cell phones. Perhaps that is too extreme. You don’t want the phones to be out all the time, but is there a middle ground that you might be okay with?
For example, can employees use their phones in the break room? What about during a particularly slow time of the day with little to no customers?
You must understand the other side of the issue. Taking a quick cell phone break is an easy way for workers to recharge their creative batteries. Afterward, they will be able to work more efficiently. They will be happier too.
4. Don’t be a hypocrite
If you don’t want employees to use their cell phones, then you better do the same. This is what being a good leader looks like. You are following the same rules as everyone else. You don’t think you have special privileges just because you have a more senior job title.
If employees see you using your cell phone for personal reasons, then they will consider this whole charade as a power trip. They will think you are just telling them what to do just because you can.
Hypocritical managers create toxic work environments. Employees will not hesitate to leave when the right opportunity comes along at another company.
Therefore, if you want talented employees to continue working for you, then you better not break the rules yourself.
5. Deny access to specific websites
Can employees freely browse the internet after connecting to the company’s Wi-Fi network? If so, then you might want to impose restrictions on the websites that employees can visit.
For example, employees should not be on popular social media websites unless visiting these websites is necessary to complete assignments. Consuming social media content is often a waste of time.
You can block websites by adjusting the settings for your router. The exact steps will vary depending on the equipment that you have.
Therefore, contact your internet service provider or an IT professional if you have any issues.
6. Suggest more ways to combat phone-related distractions
Cell phones can be distracting even when employees are not actively using them.
A random notification or sound can interrupt workers in the middle of a deep-thinking session. Then, employees check their phones to find out what the notification is for and get even more distracted.
There are two things that you can do to mitigate these interruptions.
Firstly, you can simply ask employees to turn off their cell phones. The in-office telephone works fine as a communication tool.
Alternatively, employees can turn on the “do not disturb” feature on their iPhones. Similar features should exist on other cell phone models.
Notifications are silenced when the “do not disturb” feature is turned on. Moreover, users can choose to only let in calls from their favorite people. They can also send all incoming calls to voicemail.
In summary, suggest ways for employees to resist the urge to check their phones all the time. if they can accomplish this, then staying focused will be a piece of cake.
7. Make the office more engaging
People check their phones when they feel bored or when they want to take a break. As a manager, you do not want employees to go on their phones whenever they have free time.
Instead, you want them to engage with other employees because this is how you create a collaborative work culture. Therefore, come up with fun ways for employees to engage with each other.
How would you rate your break room? Do you even have one?
Some companies, especially large institutions within the technology sector, fill their break rooms with board games, foosball tables, and other fun stuff.
You might not have the budget or physical space to extensively build out a break room. Still, try your best to create an engaging workspace where employees can be productive and have fun.
Employees will then have fewer reasons to be on their phones. Life in front of them will be much more exciting.