"That also applies to incoming calls on your cell phone," Thompson says. "Your cell phone should be turned off or set to vibrate and only used in case of an emergency. Every company has its own policy on cell phones, but they definitely should not ring. If you are at work, that means you have a desk phone, and you can be reached most of the time. Turn your cell phone off, and check it during your breaks. If you are on an important phone call or in a business meeting, your cell phone should definitely be turned off. Cell phones should not go into business meetings, nor should pagers. I think cell phones are great, they are wonderful, but they can also be an annoyance and a big intrusion.
"So," Thompson concludes, "personal calls should be kept to a minimum mainly because they disrupt work, and your coworkers will start to resent the fact that you are taking or making personal calls and not getting your work done. This also applies to personal e-mails. Everything should be kept a minimum. You are being paid to do a job. That's why it's called work."
Some other tips:
If you are making a personal call, think about who can hear you. Be considerate of your coworkers. If you are at your desk, don't talk in a loud voice that could distract others around you who are trying to concentrate on their work. Loud laughter can also be very annoying. In addition, be aware of what it is that you are saying. Are you talking about overly personal topics? Your coworkers might prefer not to hear it. Save it for when you get home.
On the other hand, maybe your coworkers will be too interested in the personal things you are saying. Computerweekly.com reports that "65% of office workers admit they are more likely to gossip about colleagues who make loud personal phone calls." Protect your privacy by being aware of what you are saying and by keeping your voice down.
Don't talk on your cell phone in the office bathroom! You never know who might be behind a stall door, able to hear every word that you are saying. Besides, it's not very pleasant for the person on the other end of the phone to have to hear flushing sounds, etc.
Don't make personal long-distance calls on a company phone unless you really have to, and if you do, always get permission first.
Avoid making personal calls if you work with the public. If you work in a store, or restaurant, or other public place, your employer is likely to have specific policies dealing with phone usage. Some employers may prohibit personal calls completely, while others may make some exceptions. Find out what your own employer's rules are, and follow them.
