The “3 Cs” of Cellphone Etiquette at the Office

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Smartphones give you the ability to get things done no matter where you are, and they are quickly becoming an essential part of conducting business. But distracting notifications can take your attention away from what you’re doing and make it difficult to focus.
A study by the University of Texas at Austin found that the mere presence of your smartphone reduces “available cognitive capacity and impairs cognitive functioning, even though people feel they’re giving their full attention and focus to the task at hand.”
It’s crucial to set clear and formal boundaries regarding cellphone use in the office. Consider this simple list of rules to help keep everyone present and productive at work:

The “3 Cs” of Cellphone Etiquette at the Office

1. Cellphone-free meetings.

  • Face-to-face collaboration is still one of the most effective ways to communicate, making it an essential tool in business.
  • Don’t bring your phone to business lunches—giving your client your undivided attention makes a good impression and can save you time and effort down the road.

2. Common courtesy.

  • Don’t use your phone for personal reasons, including texting and social media, during work hours.
  • Keep your phone off your desk and out of sight.
  • Don’t interrupt a conversation to take a call—finish your discussion and then respond to the call if necessary.

3. Consider your surroundings.

  • Use a professional ringtone and keep it silenced if you leave your phone at your desk.
  • Take personal calls outside of shared office spaces and keep them brief.
  • Do not use speakerphone—use earbuds to take calls and listen to voicemails.
  • Bluetooth headsets tend to make you talk louder—avoid using one unless it’s a tool of your job.
Every office is different, so you will need to tailor your rules to your specific circumstances. For example, you may want to consider allowing exceptions for people with children or family members who rely on them.

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