Employee's Cell Phone Usage Is A Dilemma For Employers

In this fully connected age, employers are trying to figure out how to appropriately manage cell phone usage by employees at work. Cell phones used in the office and behind the wheel can impact everything from employee morale and productivity to company liability.

Personal cellular phones often ring in office environments. In a recent survey, office workers who sit in cubicles named cell phone ring tones as one of the biggest annoyances in the office. While some companies are asking employees to shut off personal cell phones during office hours, others are reluctant to do so. They know that personal cell phone usage allows employees to stay in contact with family, especially children, without tying up business phone lines.

Another concern of cellular phone use at work relates to driving. Employers fear they may be liable for employees who have traffic accidents while using a phone and driving. Another worry about cell phone use at work is if the employee is talking on a company-owned handset or even using a personal mobile phone for company business employers worry that they could be held partly responsible for loss or injury.

In 1999, Smith Barney chose to settle a lawsuit after a stockbroker was involved in a fatal accident due to the usage of his cell phone. The accident occurred on a Saturday evening and the stockbroker was using his personal phone to make cold calls. In the wake of the settlement more companies have set policies to limit employee cell phone use at work and especially while driving.

Some measures implemented include asking employees to sign a statement that they will not use company cell phones while driving. Other companies are placing stickers on company phones saying that use of a cellular phone while driving is prohibited. Perhaps the smartest companies of all are those investing in hands-free cell phone equipment for their employees.

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Also See: Motorola cell phones.

About The Author:

Wendy Whittaker is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com. A cellular phone industry resource featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of cellular phone and service plans.

	Cell Phone Usage
Employee's Cell Phone Usage Is A Dilemma For Employers