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Can you remember a time when the only telephone in the production area was a landline shared by the shop employees? Today, practically any production employee is likely to have a sophisticated communication and media device in his or her pocket.

On 91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ’s “Top Shops” network on LinkedIn, I began a conversation by asking shop owners and managers about their shops’ policies regarding employee cellphone use on the shop floor. Should employees be free to use their data devices, or should there be restrictions?

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Here is some of what the participants in the LinkedIn discussion had to say….

Michael Sheridan, owner, : “We allow the limited use of cell phones during work hours, meaning calls of a minute or two a couple of times per day. We do not permit texting or game playing, and no earphones are permitted. Because the employees are adults who consider these rules common sense, no one takes advantage of them.”

Amy Petersen, owner (now retired), : “At our plant, cell phones are kept in the employee lockers. Employees are free to check for calls, emails and texts during breaks and lunch period. In case of emergencies, they instruct family members to call the main office so they can be paged. Works great for us!”

John Baklund, owner, Baklund R&D: “We allow employees’ phones to be on, but we have a policy of only calling, texting or emailing members of our BRD team. This allows for quick and efficient workflow. Everyone appreciates this—they can still see texts from friends or family. We discuss the distraction factor often, so as to teach people how to structure their response to this new technology appropriately. We have young people who only have a cell phone, no land line. Some have thanked us for talking about this; it has helped them in life outside of work.”

A manufacturing engineer (I was unable to get his permission for a direct quote) commented that there had certainly been cell phone problems at his plant, but noted also that cell phones are handy. Shopfloor personnel can text him when they need him, saving them from time-wasting trips to the office area.

A job shop owner (ditto) said he had a flat rule about no cell phones in the shop. Employees leave them in their lockers and can use them on break. The lead carries a wireless handset for the main line in case of emergency.

Adam Govoni, machine shop supervisor, Vander-Bend Manufacturing: “It is clear that there are many policies regarding cell phones. Shop cultures will vary. The key is a balance between safety and productivity with a view toward employee satisfaction. I think we have the most productive crew in our region in part because of an attitude of mutual respect throughout the team.”

Mark Kenworthy, owner, Kenworthy Machine: “If you have an employee who will abuse having a cell phone at work, to the extent that the employee isn't working productively, then the issue isn't the cell phone policy. The issue is that employee's attitude. Either the attitude needs to change or that employee needs to be encouraged to find employment elsewhere. Otherwise, that person’s behavior will negatively affect the attitude and productivity of the rest of your team.”

One of the shop owners who got me interested in this question in the first place was Matt Guse of MRS Machining. He ultimately decided to implement a shop-wide cell phone ban. Read about how that went.