I’ve been doing a little bit of travel lately and noticed a wonderful way employees are using their smartphones to take pictures of things happening in the workplace. Sometimes we immediately assume the worst – that employees are taking photos to embarrass the company or file a complaint. What I witnessed was employees taking photos to improve the work environment. Here are some examples:
- Maintenance issues – An employee sees something broken that the maintenance or facilities department needs to address. Instead of going to an office to fill out a form, the employee takes a photo and sends it to them. The employee has immediately addressed the matter. No chance of the employee forgetting. The maintenance department can see what the problem is and attach the proper priority to fixing it. This is a perfect addition to your quality control efforts.
- Safety issues – Sometimes maintenance issues are also a safety concern but sometimes they’re not. The last thing we want is an employee leaving the safety hazard unattended. Safety matters can be addressed immediately and there’s a reduced chance of someone getting hurt.
- Communication – Especially during a crisis or disaster, the company needs a way to communicate with employees and vice versa. Now that we have this technology at our disposal, companies should look for ways to use it to the employees’ and company benefit. If your organization has a disaster plan, maybe it’s time to review it and incorporate images and image sharing into the plan.
- Creative inspiration – Some of our best ideas can happen when we’re not at work. We see something at a conference or while running errands and want to remember it. Maybe it’s a business practice that would work well at our company. Taking a photo can remind us of the idea we want to bring back to our workplace.
- Training – I’ve mentioned before how cameras can be used in training sessions. This doesn’t have to be confined to a formal classroom setting. Employees can take photos while they are completing a task so the images can be shared with someone else. Think of it as a form of knowledge transfer.
Obviously companies that want to take advantage of the benefits that photography can bring will want to dust off their policy manual and make sure their “cameras in the workplace” policy and practice are in alignment. It might involve a quick call to your friendly employment attorney.
Today’s employees are used to having a camera at the ready. Organizations have to decide how they want to manage this form of technology: as a nuisance or as a strategic advantage.
Image courtesy of HR Bartender
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Mark Neuberger says
Actually there is a hidden ‘darkside’ to encouraging employees to use their cameras at work and that is the potential breach of company security. Employers need to be ever vigilant about protecting what is today many companies most valuable asset, namely their technology. A few quick snaps on the phone camera and the formula to the secret sauce, the customer list, and your future business plans go right out the door. In industries like healthcare, their are additional patient privacy concerns which should cause employers to limit or prohibit photos in the workplace.
Chris aka new_resource says
There is always a concern of having employees use cellphones at work, but they are going to use them anyway. And if you can change the culture of the company and encourage responsible social activity, then maybe this could work. I love the examples in the article. The employees see a lot and we need to stop being afraid to listen and now see what they are seeing and hearing. Great post.
Ana Marques says
Catching the best practices on the making!
Sharlyn Lauby says
Thanks for the comments everyone. I do agree there are issues that companies need to safeguard. But with proper education, the sound advice of counsel, and strong policies, companies do have an opportunity to benefit from the use of equipment that everyone has with them.
And P.S. – My apologies for the delayed response. My host provider kept me out of the site for a couple days (general WordPress security reasons). I’m happy to live with a little inconvenience when security is involved.
Katie says
With social media exploding it is even more imminent now that employees are going to use their cell phones at work. I agree with the point that if companies are willing to put in the time and energy to create comprehensive policies and educate/train employees as it relates to camera use or cell phone use in general there is great potential for organizations to benefit from this use. Great post and insight!
Sharlyn Lauby says
Thanks for the comment Katie!
Cyril Kramar says
Every kid uses his or her smartphone at school these days. It will become a vital part of every person sooner or later, we have to get used to it.
http://www.mcroygroup.com
Sharlyn Lauby says
@Cyril – Very true. Thanks for the comment.