Many employers have witnessed the powers of mobile phones to distract their workforce, but the augmented reality game Pokemon Go has swept the nation and could cause employers a real headache. So, are you playing?

In addition to the potential for distraction and reduced productivity, the game poses a potential threat to health and safety and to the security of your data.

Pokemon Go creates a virtual scavenger hunt that sees players tracking down Pokemon in all sorts of locations (including, I suspect, the Working Men’s Club in Lindley which seems to have a larger number of teenagers loitering outside it than previously). Ardent players are so hooked that, for some, common sense appears to go out the window and there is a higher risk of accidents as staff intent on capturing a Pokemon may not take the usual care when walking or driving.

In addition, if staff are playing the game on your devices and/or logging in through your Google accounts then there is a potential risk to the security of your data and any personal data belonging to staff or third parties that you hold.

What can you do? Review your IT/ mobile phone use policy, or introduce one if you don’t already have one. Make sure that any restrictions on personal use of mobile phones are clearly set out and consider whether you want to ban personal mobile phones in high risk areas of your workplace (e.g. factory floors and kitchens). Prohibit the downloading of any games or apps on to your company mobile phones and devices and consider whether you need encryption software to protect data. If you need any assistance in drafting or amending an appropriate policy, then just let me know!

Contact Kate at katebooth@eatonsmith.co.uk or on 01484 821 309.