The following cell phone policy refers to cell phones and smartphones that are generally used by exempt employees as they pursue the effective performance of their jobs. These employees use their phones at home, at work, at client locations, and to address the needs of customers. They are an intrinsic part of the employees' ability to perform their jobs effectively.

Different rules for phone usage apply in a manufacturing facility or in another location where the employees' ability to accomplish their work is dependent on other employees working simultaneously. In these work settings, smartphone use is restricted, generally to breaks and lunchtime.

Cell Phone or Smartphone Policy Samples

This policy about cellular phone usage applies to any device that makes or receives phone calls, leaves messages, sends text messages, surfs the internet, or downloads and allows for the reading of and responding to email whether the device is company-supplied or personally owned.

Company Owned and Supplied Devices or Vehicles Policy Sample

An employee who uses a company-supplied device or a company-supplied vehicle is prohibited from using a smartphone, cell phone, hands-on or hands-off phone, or similar device while driving, whether the business conducted is personal or company-related.

This prohibition includes receiving or placing calls, text messaging, surfing the internet, receiving or responding to email, checking for phone messages, or any other purpose related to your employment; the business; our customers; our vendors; volunteer activities, meetings, or civic responsibilities performed for or attended in the name of the company; or any other company or personally related activities not named here while driving. Use of company-owned vehicles or devices for personal business is discouraged.

Personal Cell Phone, Smartphone or Similar Device Use for Business

Your company is aware that employees currently use their cell phones for business purposes while driving in their personal vehicle and using their personal cell phone or similar device.

Due to research that indicates that smartphone or cell phone use while driving is dangerous, and may even approach the equivalent danger of driving while drunk, according to some studies, your company prohibits employee use of personal cellular phones, either hands-on or hands-free, or similar devices, for business purposes related in any way to our company, while driving.

This prohibition of cell phone or similar device use while driving includes receiving or placing calls, text messaging, surfing the internet, receiving or responding to email, checking for phone messages, or any other purpose related to your employment; the business; our customers; our vendors; volunteer activities, meetings, or civic responsibilities performed for or attended in the name of the company; or any other company-related activities not named here while driving.

You may not use your cellular phone or similar device to receive or place calls, text messages, surf the internet, check phone messages, or receive or respond to email while driving if you are in any way doing activities that are related to your employment.

We recognize that other distractions occur during driving, however curbing the use of cell phones and smartphones while driving, is one way to minimize the risk, for our employees, of accidents. Therefore, you are required to stop your vehicle in a safe location so that you can safely use your cell phone or similar device if you need to make or respond to a phone call. Engaging in your company business using a cell phone or similar device while driving is prohibited.

Employees who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary actions, up to and including employment termination.

Why Is a Cell Phone or Smartphone Policy Important?

Businesses that supply cell phones and smartphones for their employees to use on business-related missions and tasks need to have a solid policy on which employees receive training. While the safety of employees is the paramount purpose of the policy, employers are smart to cover themselves legally as well. At the end of the training, employers need to ask employees to sign a receipt acknowledging that they understood the policy and will comply with the training provided by the employer.

Banning texting and talking on the smartphone while driving supplies the employer some legal coverage if an employee is involved in an accident while using the smartphone.

Aside from legal coverage, by banning smartphones in meetings, the employer should experience more productive, interactive meetings where the attendees are focused on the goals of the meeting. And, this is positive for the business goals.

Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided, while authoritative, is not guaranteed for accuracy and legality. The site is read by a world-wide audience and employment laws and regulations vary from state to state and country to country. Please seek legal assistance, or assistance from State, Federal, or International governmental resources, to make certain your legal interpretation and decisions are correct for your location. This information is for guidance, ideas, and assistance.