13 Phone Behaviors That Are Totally Inappropriate In The Workplace

13 Phone Behaviors that are Totally Inappropriate in the Workplace

BY GreenBot Staff

GreenBot Staff

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All Articles by GreenBot Staff

Published 16 Oct 2015

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You might work in a casual, trendy, millennial-laden office where hoodies and Birkenstocks are the definitions of business informal. But that doesn’t mean you should add your boss on Snapchat. Even the cool offices have to decide who or not to promote. So you can be sure somebody is taking note of how often you text during meetings. Here are 13 breaches of smartphone workplace etiquette that could end up costing you your job:

Texting during a Meeting

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Texting a coworker at a meeting might be the 2022 version of passing notes. But trust me, your boss won’t be amused.

Playing Games During a Meeting

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You could play Candy Crush while also pretending to pay attention to quarterly reports. Still, your multitasking skills are more likely to get you in trouble than anything. When you’re inevitably interrupted and asked a question, you’ll fail at winning participation points for whatever game you’re playing.

Looking at your Phone During a Meeting

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It’s probably unrealistic to ask people to leave their phones behind in a meeting. Still, everyone notices when you sneak a glance at your lap. You are literally not fooling anyone. You might have just been checking the time, but that’s not what coworkers think.

Answering Personal Calls on the Clock

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The thing about cubicle farms is that everyone can hear you. Even when you pick up that phone call from your mom, including the person who signs your paycheck. Think about that!

Putting Your Phone on the Table During a Business Lunch

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Putting your phone on the table is usually considered pretty rude. Suppose you’re having lunch with coworkers or a client. In that case, you’re basically telling them that the people who like your Instagram photos. Are more important to you than they are.

Checking Your Phone While You’re Talking to Another Person

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Having a face-to-face conversation with your boss? DON’T LOOK AT YOUR PHONE. There, I just got you a promotion.

Taking Work Calls in the Bathroom

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First: You should never take a phone call while sitting on the toilet. I won’t say anything, but we can totally hear you flush even when you time your sneezes. Second: Even if you’re not flushing, you don’t know who’s in the stall next to you. Or when they’re going to flush.

Adding your Boss on Snapchat!

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There’s no good reason to add your boss on a social media platform initially invented to secretly share nudes. Not even one. Not even if you work at Snapchat.

Subtweeting

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Your higher-ups may not be totally in the know regarding social media. Still, HR people can definitely decode the shade in your subtweets. In the best-case scenario, you get in trouble for tweeting on the job.

Taking Selfies

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Unless you’re doing something extraordinary, like scaling a mountain or shooting rockets into space for work. There’s really no reason to take a selfie. Let’s not make the cubicle selfie a thing. Please!

Not Putting Your Phone in Silent Mode

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Nobody wants to hear your improper ringtone.

Having an Unsuitable Ring Tone

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Some people may be offended by your, expletive-laden ringtone.

Having Your Phone Unlocked

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It’s like you want nosy coworkers to snoop. Bonus points if you have company-sensitive information on your phone.