Cell Phone Policy

How to create a cell phone policy for the workplace including a free template.

By Paul Peters, Apr 23, 2024

Paul Peters is the Chief Editor of Betterteam. He's a former print journalist and small business owner and has written articles for a variety of newspapers, magazines and websites.

A company cell phone policy cuts down on distraction and frustration at work by making it clear when it's ok and not ok to use a cell phone during work hours. They are also called employee cell phone policies.

Below we've got two generic workplace cell phone policies and templates that you can use to quickly create a cell phone policy for your company or department. They can also be used to create a corporate cell phone policy. We'll start with a very simple one-paragraph version.

Detailed Cell Phone Policy Template Download

Download a cellphone policy template in Microsoft Word and quickly customize it to your company's needs.

Download Policy

Short Cell Phone Policy Sample:

Cell phones should not be allowed to distract employees from business tasks. They should not be used for surfing the internet or gaming during work hours. Cell phones should never be used while driving, operating equipment, or in any situation where they can cause accidents.

Detailed Company Cell Phone Policy:

The [company name] cell phone policy offers general guidelines for using personal and company cell phones during work hours.

The purpose of this policy is to help us all get the most out of the advantages cell phones offer our company while minimizing distractions, accidents, and frustrations improper cell phone use can cause.

This policy applies to all [company name] employees.

Cell Phone Use Guidelines:

The following are [company name]'s basic guidelines for proper employee cell phone use during work hours. In general, cell phones should not be used when they could pose a security or safety risk, or when they distract from work tasks:

Never use a cell phone while driving.
Never use a cell phone while operating equipment.
Do not use cell phones for surfing the internet or gaming during work hours.
Avoid using work cell phones for personal tasks.
Avoid using personal cell phones for work tasks.
Do not use cell phones during meetings.
Do not use cell phones to record confidential information.

We realize the cell phones can be great tools for our employees. We encourage employees to use cell phones when:

For making or receiving work calls in the appropriate place and situation to do so.
For other work-related communication, such as text messaging or emailing in appropriate places and situations.
To schedule and keep track of appointments.
To carry out work-related research.
To keep track of work tasks.
To keep track of work contacts.

Disciplinary Action:

Improper use of cell phones may result in disciplinary action. Continued use of cell phones at inappropriate times or in ways that distract from work may lead to having cell phone privileges revoked.

Cell phone usage for illegal or dangerous activity, for purposes of harassment, or in ways that violate the company confidentiality policy may result in employee termination.

More Policies:

Sexual Harassment Policy

Sexual harassment policy made easy with free template.

FAQs:

Can your employer legally take your cell phone?

No. However, an employer can legally prohibit or ban the use of a cellphone at work.

Should cellphones be allowed at work?

It really depends on the company. For some types of businesses where the distraction of a cellphone could be dangerous, a cell phone policy might be a good idea. For other companies, a no cell phone policy at work could be a major turnoff to potential employees or could hinder employees' ability to get work done.

What are some tips for making cell phone use at work less disruptive?

Ask employees to keep cell phones in silent mode whenever possible, not to use them during meetings, and to keep cell phone usage at work focused on work tasks. Of course, your best bet is to put all of this in your employee cell phone policy.

Do you have any tips for enforcing a cell phone usage policy?

Make it clear why you've got a policy on cell phones at work, what the goals of it are, and what the consequences are for violations of the cell phone use policy. Once you've done this, it's important to enforce your mobile phone at work policy consistently.

Is a mobile phone use in the workplace policy enforceable?

Yes, it is, as long as it's enforced in a consistent and equal manner.

Is there a difference between a company-issued and a personal cell phone use at work policy?

There can be. An employer can have more say over what an employee can and cannot do with a company cell phone. They may also wish to ban or severely limit personal cell phone use if employees have company cell phones for conducting business.

Any tips on how to create an effective cell phone policy?

Specify when cell phone use is acceptable.
Detail where cell phones must be kept during work hours.
Set limits on time spent texting, making personal calls, etc.
Display your policy in writing throughout the workplace.
Request that cell phones be turned off or set to silent/vibrate to limit disruptions.

Can mobile phones be banned at work?

Yes. An employer can prohibit or ban the use of cellphones in a workplace during work hours.

Cell Phone Policy

Detailed Cell Phone Policy Template Download

Short Cell Phone Policy Sample:

Detailed Company Cell Phone Policy:

More Policies:

FAQs:

Can your employer legally take your cell phone?

Should cellphones be allowed at work?

What are some tips for making cell phone use at work less disruptive?

Do you have any tips for enforcing a cell phone usage policy?

Is a mobile phone use in the workplace policy enforceable?

Is there a difference between a company-issued and a personal cell phone use at work policy?

Any tips on how to create an effective cell phone policy?

Can mobile phones be banned at work?

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