2. Current Event
The White House is currently weighing whether or not to enforce a personal cell phone
ban for staff
Driven by:
Cybersecurity concerns
Leaks to press
Crack down on use of personal phones to conduct official business
Upholding the Presidential Records Act of 1978
Concerns, if the ban happens:
Staff can not reach out to their family during the busy day/ access personal
emails
If staff used WH-issued phones for personal reasons accusations of wasting
government resources could happen
Government record-keeping requirements mean that records of personal
calls placed to and from WH-issued phones would be archived and
eventually made public
3. Pro-Phone Ban in Workplace Arguments
Minimize harassment and
discrimination at work
Diminish misappropriate of trade
secrets
Minimize company liability for
employee negligence
Decrease distractions, increase
productivity
4. Anti-Phone Ban in
Workplace Arguments
Family emergencies
Decrease employee morale
Common sense/etiquette
Why punish everyone?
5. My Opinion
The White House should have the phone ban
National security is involved
This is part of the responsibility for having a high-profile job
Create a designated second phone line that families can call to
contact a staff member, should an emergency occur
Instead of banning all cell phones at work, create clear
policies regarding personal cell phone use
Define when it is appropriate to use them and where
Have consequences if phone policies are not followed
Professional job etiquette
Be smart about your phone use
6. Questions
-Should the White House go through with the personal cell
ban? Why or why not?
-What are your thoughts on workplace cell phone bans, in
general? Are you for it, against it, or in between?
-What would you suggest on how to handle personal cell phone
use in the workplace? If you were the boss what would you do?
Any additional thoughts/comments/questions?
