Question

Cell Phone Etiquette
Read the list of Cell Phone Dos and Don’ts. Add at least one more Do and one more Don’t to the lists.
Cell Phone Dos and Don’ts Chart
Cell Phone Dos
Cell Phone Don’ts
Do keep your phone stored away and muted at work.
Don’t text or answer your phone while on the job.
Do tell friends and family not to call or text you while you’re at work.
Don’t check social media or use other apps while on the job.
Do use your phone only on breaks, standing at least 10 feet away from people (or better yet, outside) and speaking softly.
Don’t use your phone in the
workplace bathroom.
Do use your phone for purposes requested by your supervisor.
Don’t use your phone in the workplace without permission.
Do use a professional tone and language when using a cell phone in the workplace.
Don’t use profanity, whether speaking
or texting.
Do be discreet about personal and workplace information on your phone.
Don’t share company information on your cell phone.
Do keep your phone off or muted during meetings and in workplace conversations.
Don’t text during a meeting or when with a colleague or supervisor.
Do keep your phone off or muted on
job interviews.
Don’t take out your phone during an interview unless asked to do so by the interviewer, such as to set an appointment.
Do follow your employer’s rules and any additional instructions regarding cell phones.
Don’t try to sneak a peek at your phone while on the job.
Additional Dos: write an answer
Additional Don’ts: write an answer




Cell Phone Scenario Cards
Cut out the scenario cards. Draw a scenario card and act out what might happen if a person in that situation were not to use good cell phone etiquette or started using the phone to text, make a call, use social media, etc., while working.
Cards
You are a camp counselor in charge of a group of fourth graders who need to be chaperoned at all times.
You are a salesperson at a clothing store, and you are expected to help customers select items and then show them to the dressing room.
You are the receptionist at a doctor’s office, answering phones, greeting patients, giving them paperwork to fill out, and scheduling appointments.
You work as a salesperson in a cosmetics store and have been trained to answer questions about products.
You work behind the counter taking orders at a fast food restaurant during the busiest shift.
You’ve been hired to stand in front of a new grocery store distributing flyers promoting the store’s opening.
You are a busboy in a busy restaurant with demanding customers.
You are a cashier at a diner where patrons pay you on their way out.
You are a teacher’s aide in a preschool classroom with 12 four-year-olds.
You work washing dogs at a local pet store.



What is the issue with using a phone in the workplace?
write an answer

Cell Phone Productivity
For each job duty listed, explain how you can use your cell phone to complete the task. Be sure to include the app or feature that you would use.
Cell Phone Productivity Chart
Job Duty
How to Use Your Cell Phone
(App/Feature and Function)
Find the address of a local dry cleaner for a customer who needs one.
write an answer
Make a lunch reservation for your boss.
write an answer
Book an appointment on your calendar and invite someone else to come to it.
write an answer
Check the price of a product at two
different locations.
write an answer
Figure out how to pronounce an
unfamiliar word.
write an answer
Translate a phrase into another language.
write an answer
Contact a group of coworkers to tell them their hours are being changed.
write an answer
Contact your supervisor to say you will be late.
write an answer
Check the weather for tomorrow.
write an answer
Document a training session for later viewing.
write an answer
Calculate a math problem.
write an answer
Find out how your company is ranked on a review site.
write an answer




Texting Professionally
Read each message. Decide how you would text the information to a friend or to a coworker.
Two Ways to Text
Message
How would you text the
message to a friend?
How would you text the message to a coworker?
You’ve just remembered that tomorrow is Election Day. You need to know how your school/work schedule might be affected
write an answer
write an answer
Your friend/supervisor asks you to bring a picture of a grandparent for a special photo collage being designed for a wall at school/work.
write an answer
write an answer
A friend/coworker needs to leave early and asks you to babysit for a younger sibling/ fill in at work.
write an answer
write an answer


all in 8th grader terms

Answer 1

Here are completed answers in plain, 8th-grade language.

Cell Phone Dos and Don’ts — Additions
- Additional Do:
- Do ask permission before taking photos or recording coworkers, customers, or anything at work.
- Additional Don’t:
- Don’t post or share photos, messages, or private work info about coworkers, customers, or the company on social media.

Scenario Cards — What might happen if someone uses bad phone etiquette
(Short ideas you could act out for each card)
- Camp counselor with fourth graders: Kids wander off because the counselor is texting; a child gets lost or hurt and parents get upset.
- Clothing store salesperson: A customer waits while the salesperson scrolls social media; the customer leaves and the store loses a sale.
- Doctor’s office receptionist: A patient’s important appointment is missed because the receptionist was texting instead of scheduling, causing confusion and upset patients.
- Cosmetics salesperson: A customer asks about ingredients and the salesperson checks Snapchat instead — the customer buys elsewhere.
- Fast food worker on a busy shift: Orders get messed up because the worker was texting, causing long lines and angry customers.
- Flyer distributor at a grocery store opening: The person is on their phone and hands out fewer flyers, so fewer customers come in.
- Restaurant busboy: Customers wait without clean plates or service because the busboy was on a phone; tables get upset and tips drop.
- Diner cashier: The cashier is on their phone and gives wrong change or misses a payment, causing delays and mistakes.
- Preschool teacher’s aide: A child needs help but the aide is on their phone, leading to safety problems or emotional upset for the child.
- Dog-washer at pet store: A dog escapes or an appointment is missed because the worker was distracted by their phone.

What is the issue with using a phone in the workplace?
Using a phone at work can be a problem because it distracts you from your job, can make customers or coworkers feel ignored, and may cause mistakes or safety problems. It can also break company rules or share private information by accident.

Cell Phone Productivity — How to use your phone for each job task (app/feature and function)
- Find the address of a local dry cleaner for a customer:
- Use Google Maps or Apple Maps: search “dry cleaner near me,” tap an address, and share directions with the customer.
- Make a lunch reservation for your boss:
- Use the phone app or call the restaurant (Phone app) or use OpenTable/restaurant website to book a table and get confirmation.
- Book an appointment on your calendar and invite someone else:
- Use the Calendar app (Google Calendar or Apple Calendar): create event, add date/time, then add the person’s email to invite them.
- Check the price of a product at two different locations:
- Use the store apps or web browser (or Google): search the product at each store, compare prices, or call the stores using the Phone app.
- Figure out how to pronounce an unfamiliar word:
- Use a dictionary app (Merriam-Webster) or Google Search, then tap the speaker icon for audio pronunciation.
- Translate a phrase into another language:
- Use Google Translate or another translator app: type or speak the phrase and read/listen to the translation.
- Contact a group of coworkers to tell them their hours are being changed:
- Use a group text message, group chat app (Slack, Microsoft Teams), or email to send the update to everyone at once.
- Contact your supervisor to say you will be late:
- Call them (Phone app) for quick contact, or send a professional text if that’s normal at your workplace.
- Check the weather for tomorrow:
- Use the Weather app or ask Siri/Google Assistant for tomorrow’s forecast.
- Document a training session for later viewing:
- Use the Camera app to record video, or the Voice Memos app for audio; you can also take photos of the slides.
- Calculate a math problem:
- Use the Calculator app or ask Google (type the problem) for the answer.
- Find out how your company is ranked on a review site:
- Use the web browser to check Yelp, Glassdoor, Google Reviews, or other review sites.

Texting Professionally — Two ways to text (friend vs. coworker) — in 8th-grade tone

1) You’ve just remembered that tomorrow is Election Day. You need to know how your school/work schedule might be affected.
- To a friend (casual):
- “Hey! Don’t forget — tomorrow is Election Day. Do you know if school/work hours are different?”
- To a coworker (professional):
- “Hi [Name], reminder that tomorrow is Election Day. Do you know if our schedule will change or if we need to request time off?”

2) Your friend/supervisor asks you to bring a picture of a grandparent for a special photo collage being designed for a wall at school/work.
- To a friend (casual):
- “Can you bring a pic of your grandparent for the collage? Thanks!”
- To a supervisor/coworker (professional):
- “Hi [Name], I can bring a photo of my grandparent for the collage. Is there a preferred size or where should I leave it?”

3) A friend needs you to babysit a younger sibling because they must leave early.
- To a friend (casual):
- “Sure — I can babysit your little brother tonight. What time do you need to leave and does he have any rules or bedtime?”
- To a coworker (if asking to cover a shift instead):
- “Hi [Name], I need to leave early today. Could you cover my shift from [time] to [time]? I can trade shifts later if needed. Thanks.”

4) A coworker needs someone to fill in at work (asking you to cover).
- To a friend (if telling a friend):
- “My coworker asked me to cover a shift today. Might be late — want to hang after?”
- To a coworker (professional reply to a request):
- “Hi [Name], I can cover your shift from [time] to [time]. Please confirm the duties and who I report to. Thanks.”

If you want, I can shorten any answers, make printable worksheet-style lines, or write scripts you could act out for any specific scenario card.