Cell Phones and Personal Communication Devices: Acceptable Use and Reimbursement

Mobile phones, and the multitude of smart and wearable personal communication devices (PCDs), may be the most heavily entwined aspect of employees’ personal and professional lives. Most employers adopt policies governing the acceptable use of company-owned computers, phones, and networks; most of these policies are relatively straightforward and seek to restrict business property to business use. Some PCDs can be trickier and require more nuance (and will vary more widely from workplace to workplace).

For example, some industries have heightened security and intellectual property concerns that make it entirely reasonable to completely prohibit PCDs (both personal and business) from being accessible on the worksite. Other industries and roles demand constant connectivity and communication, and there may be no problem with employees simply using the devices with which they are most familiar and comfortable to meet these needs.

These tips and sample policies will help you tailor a policy to cover the most common concerns, including safety, security, privacy, and reimbursement, related to PCDs in the workplace.