Thursday 15th July 2010

Company mobile phone usage

Have employers put in place clear guidelines around the use of company mobile phones?

We are clearly in an age of technology where everything can almost be accessible at the touch of a button.....or a small 4 inch screen for some!

As we search for more efficient means of communication with our staff, clients and customers, we expect more than just the ability to make a call from our mobile phones. As a result, employers have been investing in the most advanced technology for their employees introducing the newest mobile phones where we can now instant message, email and surf the internet from just about anywhere.

As such, employers are seeing the mutual benefits of providing their staff with iphones, blackberries etc to allow them to be contactable remotely and allow the continuous flow of business transactions and relationship building to occur, without the need to rush back to the office. What some employers may have not considered are the high risks as a result of abuse or misuse of mobile phones, and as such may have not put in place an effective policy and guidelines to ensure good working practices are employed that do not compromise the Company either morally or legally.

Some employers will have detailed IT policies in place but with little reference to the use of company mobile phones. As HR professionals, we are now awakening to an influx of concerned employers where there have been excessive bills through personal phone calls, text messages, internet use, and now application downloads. There is also concern around security and confidentiality of emails and documentation being circulated via mobile phones, where the risk to losing them or theft is greater.

Considerations for employers:

A review of your current IT policy and any reference to company mobile phone use and ensure you build into them clear guidelines on the security and confidentiality surrounding exchanging of emails and documents to or via mobile phones, introducing options, for example, password protection.

Take the time to review and research good network providers who can potentially provide better rates and discounts should you chose to offer a mobile phone to a number of your employees. Be clear on what costs are covered and how you can identify personal use if any.

Finally, ensure you are explicit on what constitute as misuse or abuse, ensuring your staff are clear and expectations are met and managed.

Gravitate are able to review and revise current IT policies, ensuring appropriate recommendations are provided to your organisation’s requirements.