In a recent article published in the Forbes magazine last year, journalist and renowned author Chris Morris reported that the average employee in today’s world wastes around five hours every day goofing around on their mobile phones in the workplace.
However, the question that most executives have is whether the time spent on mobile phones is actually wasted or just an indication of the different era that we live in currently?
In today’s article, we will be exploring whether it is feasible for organizations today to be relaxing their company’s mobile phone policy. This article has been devised with due consideration to help organizations make the best decisions.
Banning Mobile Phones is Outdated
According to Human Resource Manager and Recruiter Steve Wang, banning mobile phones is an outdated policy that doesn’t hold a place in the contemporary workplace. Today, employees need their smartphones to work effectively. Not allowing them to bring their phones to work can actually have a negative effect instead of a positive one.
Phones are considered a great tool for jotting down notes, getting in touch with other co-workers, creating reminders for meetings, and keeping an eye on industrial news. Additionally, mobile phones are also an important necessity for performing routine tasks on the desk, such as using a calculator.
There are certain industries where mobile phone usage cannot be neglected at all costs. Industries such as PR and advertising require employees to be in constant contact on a mobile phone at all times. This contact is necessary to ensure proper collaboration between stakeholders. Communication will take a jolt if mobile phones are to be banned.
Taking Away Phones can be Harmful
To sum it up, taking away mobile phones from employees can be nothing but harmful. According to The Guardian, a person goes through a phase called nomophobia when they are separated from their mobile phones. The term is short for no-mobile phobia and might sound like a joke, but it is in fact a serious condition.
People display a range of emotions when they are separated from their mobile phones, including:
- Anxiety
- Unpleasantness
- Raised blood pressure
- Faster heart rate
All of these signs can prove to be detrimental in the long run and can give organizations a lack of proper results. The best way to combat this problem is by ensuring that mobiles are allowed, but their use is regulated. Employees shouldn’t be allowed to use their phones during meetings and other office chores.
We at JS Benefits Group have worked with numerous clients to discuss the ways they can follow to set a mobile phone policy in their workplace. You can get in touch with JS Benefits Group immediately to discuss and devise a plan.
