5 thoughts on “Problem Memo on Cell Phone Usage in Workplace”
Batya, this is such a common and troubling issue that has the potential to worsen before it gets better. When you described how this issue correlates with business production: “If a person is making $40 an hour and wasting one hour per day on personal cell phone usage, this means that he is wasting approximately $200 worth of his work time per week. This can be a large monetary loss to a business.” it really placed an importance. It would be interesting to follow up how companies have successfully got their employees off their cell phones (if there are any success stories).
In my workplace, there were nurses and nursing assistants talking on the phone via bluetooth and/or headphones carrying conversation while taking ‘care’ of patients. Although this has declined tremendously with peer policing, you can still see more people staring down at their phones more than they should.
On another hand, there were units in the hospital that use cell phones as a way to communicate with other employees. For example, the secretary calls the nurse or nursing assistant if the patient rings in for bathroom assistance or pain medication. There was so much negative feedback from patients, particularly older patients, due to the perception of unprofessionalism that some units stopped using cell phones for another form of communication.
Batya, I want to thank you for proposing this legislation. It’s easy for me to say because I agree with you 100%. As I was reading your memorandum, I was trying to think of ways to sway those people that think they can multitask efficiently. I have witnessed people trying to be on their phones and participate in a meeting or conversation. Those people think they are able to concentrate on both things effectively; however, that is not the case. Information has to be repeated or they have missed key information without even realizing it. The problem I see is that those same people are the ones that will oppose this proposition thinking they can do more than one thing at a time. In order for this to pass, you did a great job showing businesses how phone usage affects their bottom line and efficiency. I think now you could add research regarding multitasking? Can you show that multitasking does affect attention to detail and efficiency? I think this will be important because I work at a place that prohibits personal cell phone use but people continue to have their cell phones and use them during work time for personal use. The constant pinging or dinging of text messages or facebook posts is also a distraction. I see the same things Susan commented on at my workplace. Great idea, I look forward to hearing more about it.
Batya, I enjoyed reading and considering your problem memo. Your first two paragraphs describing the negative consequences of cell phone usage at work are clear and well-argued.
However I think your am not convinced this topic is grave enough to concern Congress. Usually laws around work are implemented to protect the well-being of workers against potential harms and employer abuses, e.g. safety, working conditions, fair compensation, etc. However the harms you have illustrated are only for business productivity and personal comfort, which fall short of issues of public concern. Many would argue rules to create a better workplace environment and maximize productivity, like forbidding personal cell phone conversations, should be instituted by workplaces, not Congress. I think your argument would be much better if you detailed why issue is of national concern and would require a law to be passed, as opposed to businesses creating their own employee policies on this issue.
I think I agree with Sarah. Your arguments are compelling, but does it require government intervention, or would it be in the best interest of the business to enforce such rules/regulations if they see it fit?
For example, if congress were to limit cellphone usage in the workplace, it would be highly detrimental to the technology initiative my workplace at New York Presbyterian is setting in place. This initiative is actually using technology, and iPhones to be specific, to increase productivity among our nursing staff. Having Congress mandate a national restriction on cell phone usage may be effective in increasing productivity for some, but may not be in the best interest or vision for all.
Hi Batya. I enjoyed reading your memo and agree with the negative consequences of cell phone usage in the workforce. The quality of work in many fields have been compromised due to the many distractions experienced by employees. However, I do agree with Sarah that government intervention may not be the most appropriate solution. Perhaps each industry and business needs to create their own policy limiting cell phone usage. Additionally, the argument can be made that technology and cell phones have enhanced productivity and efficiency in the workplace in many different ways. You raise a good point but a proposal to Congress may not be the answer.
Batya, this is such a common and troubling issue that has the potential to worsen before it gets better. When you described how this issue correlates with business production: “If a person is making $40 an hour and wasting one hour per day on personal cell phone usage, this means that he is wasting approximately $200 worth of his work time per week. This can be a large monetary loss to a business.” it really placed an importance. It would be interesting to follow up how companies have successfully got their employees off their cell phones (if there are any success stories).
In my workplace, there were nurses and nursing assistants talking on the phone via bluetooth and/or headphones carrying conversation while taking ‘care’ of patients. Although this has declined tremendously with peer policing, you can still see more people staring down at their phones more than they should.
On another hand, there were units in the hospital that use cell phones as a way to communicate with other employees. For example, the secretary calls the nurse or nursing assistant if the patient rings in for bathroom assistance or pain medication. There was so much negative feedback from patients, particularly older patients, due to the perception of unprofessionalism that some units stopped using cell phones for another form of communication.
Batya, I want to thank you for proposing this legislation. It’s easy for me to say because I agree with you 100%. As I was reading your memorandum, I was trying to think of ways to sway those people that think they can multitask efficiently. I have witnessed people trying to be on their phones and participate in a meeting or conversation. Those people think they are able to concentrate on both things effectively; however, that is not the case. Information has to be repeated or they have missed key information without even realizing it. The problem I see is that those same people are the ones that will oppose this proposition thinking they can do more than one thing at a time. In order for this to pass, you did a great job showing businesses how phone usage affects their bottom line and efficiency. I think now you could add research regarding multitasking? Can you show that multitasking does affect attention to detail and efficiency? I think this will be important because I work at a place that prohibits personal cell phone use but people continue to have their cell phones and use them during work time for personal use. The constant pinging or dinging of text messages or facebook posts is also a distraction. I see the same things Susan commented on at my workplace. Great idea, I look forward to hearing more about it.
Batya, I enjoyed reading and considering your problem memo. Your first two paragraphs describing the negative consequences of cell phone usage at work are clear and well-argued.
However I think your am not convinced this topic is grave enough to concern Congress. Usually laws around work are implemented to protect the well-being of workers against potential harms and employer abuses, e.g. safety, working conditions, fair compensation, etc. However the harms you have illustrated are only for business productivity and personal comfort, which fall short of issues of public concern. Many would argue rules to create a better workplace environment and maximize productivity, like forbidding personal cell phone conversations, should be instituted by workplaces, not Congress. I think your argument would be much better if you detailed why issue is of national concern and would require a law to be passed, as opposed to businesses creating their own employee policies on this issue.
I think I agree with Sarah. Your arguments are compelling, but does it require government intervention, or would it be in the best interest of the business to enforce such rules/regulations if they see it fit?
For example, if congress were to limit cellphone usage in the workplace, it would be highly detrimental to the technology initiative my workplace at New York Presbyterian is setting in place. This initiative is actually using technology, and iPhones to be specific, to increase productivity among our nursing staff. Having Congress mandate a national restriction on cell phone usage may be effective in increasing productivity for some, but may not be in the best interest or vision for all.
Hi Batya. I enjoyed reading your memo and agree with the negative consequences of cell phone usage in the workforce. The quality of work in many fields have been compromised due to the many distractions experienced by employees. However, I do agree with Sarah that government intervention may not be the most appropriate solution. Perhaps each industry and business needs to create their own policy limiting cell phone usage. Additionally, the argument can be made that technology and cell phones have enhanced productivity and efficiency in the workplace in many different ways. You raise a good point but a proposal to Congress may not be the answer.