I love my cell phone. It’s rarely out of my reach and I’ve come to rely on it for practically everything. I’m not the only one with these codependency issues. I know this because I see and hear cell phones everywhere at work now.
But just because we have them, and we love them, does it mean anything goes? Can it go too far? I believe it can, and sadly, that it does.
So, I’d like to submit a few guidelines for consideration:
- Keep your ringer on silent.
You may love “Everything is AWESOME!!!,” but I don’t need to hear it playing loudly, over and over, when you step away from your desk. Not awesome. - Remember that you’re not in a sound-proof bubble.
If you’re concentrating on a call, it’s probably all you are focused on. But over in the next cube, it’s all I can hear, even if I’m not trying to listen. I’m glad your kitty cat has a clean bill of health, really. But if you have a private matter to discuss, you might want to find an empty conference room. - Moderate your phone use in a meeting.
We’ve all been guilty of taking a quick peek. But if you are drafting the Magna Carta on your phone, I’m pretty sure you aren’t listening to me. - Don’t make phone calls from the rest room.
Why do people do this? I first think that they are talking to me, which is awkward, and then when I realize that they aren’t, I’m afraid of interrupting. Do I flush? Just, please, don’t put me or anyone else in this position. - Be careful what you share.
Just because you have everything at your fingertips doesn’t mean that it’s all appropriate to show your coworkers. For example – I’d love to see your vacation photos. Unless you are wearing a lampshade and swim trunks. Maybe don’t show me that one.
What do you readers think? Anyone disagree? Any pet peeves to add to the list?
I am a group where there are people watching TV on their phones. I have never been in a work place where this has been done while they are working. It’s a lot of young adults. Is this the trend here at Dana Farber. I can see listening to your music quietly but TV!
Do I flush? You bet I do! Anyone who thinks nothing of making a phone call from the bathroom must not be too concerned about what the other party is hearing. And if they are, maybe they will think twice about calling from the bathroom again.
PUT THEM AWAY…YOU’RE AT WORK!!!
I agree, phones are very distracting. I’ve worked with people who will spend 1/2 hour segments of time texting, on social media or playing games. Truthfully this is stealing time from your employer.
I find it especially disturbing when I see DFCI employees walking down highly public hallways, such as Yawkey 3, while looking down at their phones, and forcing patients, families and other employees to walk around them. I’m sure there must have been times when these employees have bumped into folks.