Mobile Phone Etiquette at the Office

Mobile phones are now very much a part of everyday use. In fact they can be described as an essential business item for many persons in the working world. We must accept however that some of us take the convenience and mobility of these phones too far. Rules of mobile etiquette have been established. They are based on the fundamental values of courtesy and respect.

The following guidelines if followed can help to ensure that you get the maximum use of your phone without offending colleagues.

Business Meetings

In most business meetings, the chairperson will establish rules to be honoured during the meeting, before the meeting begins. These usually include taking off your mobile phone. If this rule is not established, the acceptable approach is to turn off your mobile phone or put it on silent or vibrate. The more important calls should be taken outside or if possible a text message can be sent discretely and quickly.

Generally

1. Practice good mobile phone etiquette by keeping your voice down to a reasonable level while on the phone.
2. If discussing sensitive or confidential information, carry on the conversation in an area out of other listeners’ earshot.
3. Turn off your mobile phone or activate the vibrate feature when attending forums.
4. Personal calls should be kept to an absolute minimum during working hours.
5. Keep all conversations to a minimum in public places as it is an interruption and distraction to those around you.
6. Conversing on mobile phones while serving customers is unacceptable.