Kamilah Muiruri initially opposed her company's new policy requiring employees to place their phones in a locked pouch at their desks.

ID.me, a Virginia-based digital identity verification company, implemented this rule for 290 support staff in 2023. The aim was to protect customer personal information. Under the policy, employees must place phones in small, sealed pouches. Unlike personal lockers, employees can keep the pouches with them to feel vibrations from urgent calls. They can only open the pouches using a fixed magnetic station at the company or retrieve their phones during breaks.

After some time, Muiruri said the policy helped her reduce phone dependence and break the habit of checking her screen during breaks. "Instead of staring at our phones, we now interact more and often socialize together", Muiruri recounted.

Many US companies "confiscate" employee phones during work hours to prevent distractions. *Shutterstock*.

The use of lock pouches, common in schools, is now appearing in many US workplaces. Some business owners state they want to prevent sensitive information leaks. Others see it as a way to train their teams to focus.

Yondr, a California-based manufacturer of phone-blocking pouches, reports its clients include courts, childcare centers, government agencies, and companies needing copyright protection. Yondr Group's revenue is estimated at nearly 60 million USD annually. This growth aligns with a broader trend: the global smart locker and pouch market was valued at 2,1 billion USD in 2023 and is projected to reach 3,6 billion USD by 2028.

Graham Dugoni, Yondr's founder, stated that businesses contacting them for orders often had unsuccessfully implemented voluntary policies. "A policy on paper cannot create a truly focused work environment", he said.

HR reports indicate that phone use reduces employee engagement. Last year, Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase in the US, stated that employees constantly receiving notifications, texting, or reading emails during meetings is disrespectful and wastes time.

Amy Brazewell, manager of Phone Locker, reported increased demand for lock pouches from companies. "They need a secure space where nothing is recorded", Brazewell said. In the UK, the Royal Court Theatre also implemented this measure for playwrights. Chief Executive Will Young stated that people often turn to their phones when encountering creative blocks, so submitting phones demonstrates a commitment to full concentration.

However, experts hold differing views. Adrian Chadi, an associate professor of economics at the University of Southampton in the UK, noted that evidence of phone bans increasing productivity remains limited. He believes bans might be effective for repetitive tasks but could negatively impact jobs requiring creativity.

Eoin Whelan, a professor at the University of Galway in Ireland, stated that research results from a company that rescinded its phone ban showed no decrease in labor productivity. Allowing phone use helped employees resolve personal issues more quickly. He said most employees now desire flexible boundaries between work and private life.

At ID.me, Vice President Kyle Scofield stated that employees initially strongly opposed the new regulation. Violations were frequent during the first 6 months but are now almost nonexistent. Scofield said businesses intending to implement lock pouches need to communicate the message clearly and consistently.

For Muiruri, being away from her phone helps her work better. "If you want to reduce phone time at work, just be open to it", she said.

Minh Phuong (According to Financial Times)