With smart devices everywhere we go, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is now an essential part of our everyday lives. From the workplace to the classroom, there are certain rules (both written and unwritten) that should be followed to prevent misuse and social faux pas.
These essential etiquette rules can be applied to anyone who uses utilizes BOYD, be it an employee at work, the company CEO, or a student at school.
Show Respect For Company- And School-Owned Devices
If your company or school provides you with a smart device, it is of the utmost importance that you treat it with respect. While accidents can happen — perhaps it fell out of your bag or water was spilled on it — you need to take care of it and keep track of it at all times.
If the device is accidentally misplaced or broken, report it immediately and double-check the school or company rules regarding lost or damaged devices to ensure sensitive information is not compromised.
Keep Private Information Private
We tend to take our devices everywhere we go. If your smart device hosts private or sensitive information relating to your job, make sure that it remains secure. That means no unauthorized sharing with others or transferring it to another device.
If a device is lost or stolen, there needs to be a security plan in place to eliminate the threat of company information and other private data being lost.
Show Respect For The Time Of Others
When using any smart device, it is essential to know when it is appropriate to use it during the day. For example, students should learn that when the teacher is talking, their devices should be put away —unless the teacher specifically asks that they be used in the lesson.
The same applies to employees and bosses at a large company or small business. You may be the head honcho, but just as you expect your employees to be respectful of your time, you should be respectful to theirs.
Trust us, that email or text can wait.
Use Your Device For The Intended Purpose
It may be tempting to use your phone, tablet or other smart device for personal reasons, like texting or checking social media during a meeting, but hold off until you get a break break. Using your work device for non-work purposes while on the clock is distracting to others and disrespectful as well. Besides, you may miss something important if your nose is stuck in Facebook.
While totally prohibiting personal use during the workday is futile (allowing a little bit of slack can be good for productivity and employees will always find a way to skirt the rule), employers should set reasonable rules regarding the personal use of devices during the work day that are consistently enforced.
For example, personal use is allowed during breaks.
