A mobile phone policy is useful for employers who provide mobile phones to employees for work-related purposes, or where an employer reimburses employees for work-related calls made from personal phones. 

A policy should be drafted broadly to provide some flexibility for employers in determining the arrangements that will apply to their workplace. 

A  mobile phone policy is usually accompanied by a policy dealing with company property. Where the mobile phone has email and internet functionality, employers should supplement this policy with a policy dealing with email and internet use. 

Employers should also ensure the policy is consistent with any clause in an employee's contract of employment dealing with mobile phone usage. 

 

Guidelines for drafting a policy 

 Issues that should be included in a policy include: 

  • eligibility for a company mobile phone 

  • use (e.g. primarily to allow contact with the staff member by other staff or customers) 

  • private use 

  • use while driving is illegal 

  • provision of a 'hands-free car kit'  

  • use of mobile phones when in the workplace (particularly private mobile phones) 

  • mobile phones in meetings 

  • diverting fixed telephone when out of office 

  • lost or broken phones 

  • faulty phones 

  • use of own mobile telephone

  • termination of employment – return of phone and accessories 

  • occupational health and safety. 

 

Need help navigating workplace mobile policies?

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