A couple of decades ago, personal computers became common
equipment of offices. While it made many tasks easier, it created problems too.
Office workers began to use it for a lot of other things besides work. Soon
offices started placing restrictions on its use, some that were on office networks
put in firewalls to block some sites.
A new age has now arrived, it is the age of the smart phones
and one can play around on it almost as much as on a personal computer. This
has become a problem in many offices around the world. Recently when in a
district of Uttar Pradesh the District Magistrate organized a meeting of all
officials to solve problems of public, all arrived with their smart phones.
When the DM made a surprise check he found many busy playing games or messaging
on social media etc. The DM blew his top and shouted at the staff but it is
more or less guaranteed that when he left the smart phones came out again. The
problem is more pervasive in government offices than private companies because
jobs are more secure. At the most one would be transferred out to an isolated
district but that is not an important issue anymore. One will get even more
time to play on smart phones over there.
The use of a smart phone has become addictive. On a visit to a restaurant yesterday this blogger noted that on all the surrounding tables people were busy on theirs. On the adjacent table was a young couple in love. They were pouring together on a single phone.
Whenever an issue arises, it is necessary to remain cool and
apply one’s mind for a solution. The solution to this issue is a simple one.
Ban the use of smart phones in offices but require that employees get another
feature phone and bring it to office. That is required for staff to contact
each other for work. Some department may even provide a small allowance of one
thousand rupees each for the phone. A simple feature phone is available for
less but an employee can purchase a more expensive one with his own money if he
wishes. After this a fine of five thousand rupees or so may be fixed for
employees that bring smart phones to work to be taken off from their salary.
However, an employee may say that he needs a smart phone
before and after work, for example to get an Uber taxi. In this case the
employee may bring the phone but deposit it at the front desk on arrival and
collect before leaving.
This author feels saddened to throw a spanner in the fun of many but then for our world to go on and function efficiently work is necessary too.
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