How to Implement a No Personal Mobile Phone Policy Without Upsetting Employees?

Implementing a No Personal Mobile Phone Policy

I am representing an Automobile Sales Organization. My management has instructed me to prohibit personal mobile phone usage in the office during working hours. As per the management's decision, every employee has to submit their personal mobile handset to HR in the morning and retrieve it before leaving the office in the evening.

I need to write the policy on this matter. I seek your inputs on how I should proceed to implement the management's instructions and also convince employees of this move.

Your valid response would be highly appreciated.

Regards,
Rajdeep

Instead of depositing it in HR, it would be easier to deposit the handset at the security gate. Send a common circular instead of a policy stating that the management has taken a stance regarding personal mobile usage at the workplace, which is hampering productivity. Hence, it was decided to avoid bringing handsets to the workplace. For emergency calls, employees can use the official landline.

Furthermore, the security team has to be vigilant about the condition of the handsets, including any marks or scratches. A register must be maintained by security to document the handing over and receiving of handsets to avoid future complaints from employees.

The discussions at http://www.trainingzone.co.uk/anyans...s-company-time may give you more ideas on how to address this issue. Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

Please find enclosed herewith the Mobile Policy for your kind perusal. As per your requirements, I would advise that you take the help of the enclosed policy and draft according to your needs. Please do not copy all, as you will not be able to draft a policy of your own.

Regards

I advise conducting a superficial survey initially, which may consist of gathering feedback from employees about the problems they anticipate facing. Implement any necessary changes sensitively. I anticipate that a majority of employees may resist this change due to losing their comfort zone. Therefore, please introduce it gently. Additionally, consider displaying contact numbers of relevant employees by department. In case of emergencies, family members or acquaintances can reach out to the employees.

Furthermore, implement security frisking at the main gate, with penalties clearly outlined in the policy for any violations.

Regards,
Abhinn Kulshrestha

More as a curiosity, can there be less intrusive ways to achieve the same goal? I mean, possibly there are situations where taking away employees' mobile phones is the only option, but wouldn't the employee feel pretty weird? And what if there is an emergency at the employee's home? I'm curious to know if it has been tried in organizations and what the results have been.

I personally would feel pretty strange working in an organization where I have to deposit my personal mobile for the day. I'd feel strange even if I were to implement such a policy.