Should mobile phones be banned at workplaces?

Should mobile phones be banned at workplaces?

These days, the use of mobile phones in various places such as schools, homes and offices is a common thing. The present era is of Smartphones where the devices use is not restricted to calling or texting. These smart devices are being used for many purposes such as playing games, clicking pictures, recording videos, making presentations, social media interaction, and many more. It appears as is the devices have become a means to make life better. However, it may not be the case, and it is the reason why many companies and employers have opted to ban mobile phones at workplaces. Do you think mobile phones should be banned at workplaces?

Yes

- The use of mobile phones results in extended personal interaction during work hours. While allowing mobile phones, it becomes extremely tough for employers to continuously observe whether or not the Smartphone use is for personal or business purpose. This paves way for another form of management problem that can be shunned by banning mobile phones at workplace.

- Banning of Smartphone is a must to protect business secrets. It is a known fact that cell phones can save and transmit information in form of texts, pictures or videos. There are some businesses that need to protect their intellectual property and investment by banning these smart devices. Privileged communications cannot be copied and shared with peers by banning Smartphones.

- Smartphones results in different form of distractions in offices. Employees talking on cell phones, sharing pictures and videos, loud ringtones, and many other annoying factors calls for ban on cell phones. Banning them will result in less intrusion at the workplace.

- It is not wise to expect management and discipline from everyone. There are people who cannot limit the Smartphone use and assess the end results. Such people create a tough environment to work for, not only for themselves but also for others.

No

- Smartphones facilitates easier communication. The people, particularly ones who have to commute, can communicate with office personnel and associated professional people through Smartphone. These devices increase response time resulting in improved productivity.

- The use of Smartphones at workplaces helps to mitigate land line traffic. If all the staff at a workplace has to work on landlines, there can be a traffic clog and a probable shut down. Having mobile phones with different carriers’ supports wider traffic as there are low prospects to clog in one domain.

- The Smartphones are extension of personal self. By permitting these devices in the workplace, employers are permitting their staff to inject their self-sense and voice in office. This can be significantly important to workplace morale and office climate, thus resulting in better productivity and a happier employee.

- The ban of mobile phones gives birth to opposition and controversies. The groups are formed and the workplace becomes like debate platform.

- As an ethical and moral issue, it raises the impasse posed by measures to regulate behavior for all depending on the misbehavior of some people. It is equivalent to punishing the entire class or group for the mistake that few people have done. It can be stated as an infringement of personal rights of the people who do not abuse granted privileges.

Conclusion

It is the ethical, moral and personal right of the people to carry a mobile device, and it is also their responsibility to use it appropriately. The management may not find it easy to keep a watch on people having Smartphones at the workplaces. However, the employers can do an excellent job at distinctively pointing out when, where and how these devices are to be used. By doing so, any problems or complaints can be counter argued with a stringent set of regulations. It should be noted that the government that governs least, governs best.