UPDATE 1/18/2006: How is this fair? My job wants me to carry a cell phone, but...

[NuclearNed]

I just got notified today that the company is going to force me to carry a cell phone starting the 1st of the next year.

I don't even have a personal cell phone, because I generally don't want to be contacted when I'm not near my home landline. With that said, I don't really have a problem being "on call". I realize that is part of most IT jobs nowadays.

The real problem is that the company is going to deduct the price of the cell phone service from my check on a monthly basis. In other words, they are going to force me to carry a company phone, then make me pay for it!!!!!

Their excuse for this is that "I will probably occassionally use it for personal stuff." Bullsh!t. If I wanted a personal cell phone, I would carry one now. If they want me to carry an "on call" phone, they should pay for it.


UPDATE 1/18/2006:
Managment called off the plan, but stated that they may revisit the idea for 2007. I'm actually sort of disappointed because I had worked out a way that this was going to be to my advantage - I was going to cancel my home landline, which was more costly per month than what this cell was going to be.

When I found out they weren't going to go through with it, I decided I would cancel the landline anyway and go with that VOIP deal that has such a long thread over in Hot Deals. Unfortunately that service isn't available in my area, so it looks like I'm not doing anything.

Nothing to see here... move along.

 

[BrianH1]

agree with you if they are MAKING you carry it. But if the bill is coming out of your monthly check, I would start making all sorts of calls. Or try to find a cheaper cell phone company that way you can say you are saving money.

 

[godmare]

I assume it's tax deductible, but that's total bunk. They should absolutely pay for it.

 

[geno]

wtf that's lame, can they even do that?

 

[bmacd]

that is crap. It doesn't sound like there's much you can do about it though. Good luck brotha

-=bmacd=-

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I just got notified today that the company is going to force me to carry a cell phone starting the 1st of the next year.

I don't even have a personal cell phone, because I generally don't want to be contacted when I'm not near my home landline. With that said, I don't really have a problem being "on call". I realize that is part of most IT jobs nowadays.

The real problem is that the company is going to deduct the price of the cell phone service from my check on a monthly basis. In other words, they are going to force me to carry a company phone, then make me pay for it!!!!!

Their excuse for this is that "I will probably occassionally use it for personal stuff." Bullsh!t. If I wanted a personal cell phone, I would carry one now. If they want me to carry an "on call" phone, they should pay for it.

ned, that is total bullcrap that they are deducting the cost of the phone from your pay.
what other crappy schemes are they pulling over on you?

i would voice my discontent with what they are trying to do rationally and calmly to management.

 

[oboeguy]

Wow, that's pathetic. Nickel and diming employees FTL!

 

[brunswickite]

WTF? Why would they make YOU pay for a cell phone they want you to have to use for work.

 

[Patt]

Don't accept it. That is an invasion of your personal life. Unless you're paid to be on-call, it is ridiculous. I don't have a personal cell either, and if work were to force a cell on me, I would only accept it along with an increase in on-call wages. If they tried to deduct it from my cheque I'd tell them where to stuff that phone.

As you can see, I have issues with my personal time, and I don't want to be contacted when I'm not by a landline. Ever.

 

[DivideBYZero]

That's Male Bovine excrement.

 

[dud]

Ned, you are making this up right?

Who do you work for? I've never heard of such a thing. Sounds like a legal can of worms to me. How can a company tell you to be on-call and make you pay for a service that you do not want or need?

If this happens you can deduct the cost of the phone/service as a business expense.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: geno
wtf that's lame, can they even do that?

They're doing it. My supervisor informed me just this morning.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: geno
wtf that's lame, can they even do that?

They're doing it. My supervisor informed me just this morning.

so are you just going to take it?

 

[loup garou]

How to fix:
1) Get home from work.
2) Fix yourself a drink.
3) Plug phone into wall charger.
4) Call one of those time and temperature phone numbers (mother-in-laws also work).
5) Leave phone connected to time and temperature line.
6) Finish drink.
7) Make another drink, drink, eat dinner, go to bed.
8) Wake up, get ready for work, leave the house, realize you forgot work-required cellphone, go back, hit end, go to work.
9) Repeat daily.

 

[RandomFool]

that ain't right.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: geno
wtf that's lame, can they even do that?

They're doing it. My supervisor informed me just this morning.

so are you just going to take it?

I'm going to do what you suggested and calmly, rationally voice my discontent. Another of the software engineers just came in my office and said she was pretty upset about it too. With that said, I know this company pretty well after being here for 5+ years, and the response I will probably get is to either get with the program or start brushing up my resume.

Don't most jobs pay some sort of compensation when you are on call?

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: loup garou
How to fix:
1) Get home from work.
2) Fix yourself a drink.
3) Plug phone into wall charger.
4) Call one of those time and temperature phone numbers (mother-in-laws also work).
5) Leave phone connected to time and temperature line.
6) Finish drink.
7) Make another drink, drink, eat dinner, go to bed.
8) Wake up, get ready for work, leave the house, realize you forgot work-required cellphone, go back, hit end, go to work.
9) Repeat daily.

I think everyone missed the point that I HAVE TO PAY THE FREAKIN' BILL. So thanks for the suggestion, but I'll have to pay for anything stupid I do with the phone.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: loup garou
How to fix:
1) Get home from work.
2) Fix yourself a drink.
3) Plug phone into wall charger.
4) Call one of those time and temperature phone numbers (mother-in-laws also work).
5) Leave phone connected to time and temperature line.
6) Finish drink.
7) Make another drink, drink, eat dinner, go to bed.
8) Wake up, get ready for work, leave the house, realize you forgot work-required cellphone, go back, hit end, go to work.
9) Repeat daily.

Ummm. The whole point of this is that HE has to pay for the phone. Why would he want to force himself to incur a hundred dollar phone bill every month?

I'd talk to your company's HR and Legal department and just do a general query on how that works. You're basically getting a demotion if they are forcing you to have your pay cut.

Honsetly if you are paying for the phone then it's your phone and they can't make you use it for business reasons. That gets into a very hairy situation.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: geno
wtf that's lame, can they even do that?

They're doing it. My supervisor informed me just this morning.

so are you just going to take it?

I'm going to do what you suggested and calmly, rationally voice my discontent. Another of the software engineers just came in my office and said she was pretty upset about it too. With that said, I know this company pretty well after being here for 5+ years, and the response I will probably get is to either get with the program or start brushing up my resume.

Don't most jobs pay some sort of compensation when you are on call?

time to brush up your resume.
like i said, this is clearly taking advantage of you and they have or will do it more and more.

don't expect compensation for being on call especially from the likes of this kind of management.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: loup garou
How to fix:
1) Get home from work.
2) Fix yourself a drink.
3) Plug phone into wall charger.
4) Call one of those time and temperature phone numbers (mother-in-laws also work).
5) Leave phone connected to time and temperature line.
6) Finish drink.
7) Make another drink, drink, eat dinner, go to bed.
8) Wake up, get ready for work, leave the house, realize you forgot work-required cellphone, go back, hit end, go to work.
9) Repeat daily.

I think everyone missed the point that I HAVE TO PAY THE FREAKIN' BILL. So thanks for the suggestion, but I'll have to pay for anything stupid I do with the phone.

Damn, sorry. I thought you meant they'd just deduct a regular amount and cover overages. Talk about nickel and diming.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Well it's wrong, and probably somewhat illegal due to the fact they are just assuming you will use it for personal calls. If you plan to make no personal calls on it, tell them that. Is it worth losing your job over though?

But perhaps it's time to get a cell phone? I would look for a plan/phone you like instead of one they force on to you.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: dud
Ned, you are making this up right?

Who do you work for? I've never heard of such a thing. Sounds like a legal can of worms to me. How can a company tell you to be on-call and make you pay for a service that you do not want or need?

If this happens you can deduct the cost of the phone/service as a business expense.

Not making this up. I work for a government contractor, which means that the normal rules of the universe don't apply.

 

[Mickey Eye]

My aunt had an on-call phone, they never expected her to pay for it. She was in IT at Shell.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

You will have to sign something that says you agree. They cannot deduct a phone from your check without you signing something.

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I just got notified today that the company is going to force me to carry a cell phone starting the 1st of the next year.

I don't even have a personal cell phone, because I generally don't want to be contacted when I'm not near my home landline. With that said, I don't really have a problem being "on call". I realize that is part of most IT jobs nowadays.

The real problem is that the company is going to deduct the price of the cell phone service from my check on a monthly basis. In other words, they are going to force me to carry a company phone, then make me pay for it!!!!!

Their excuse for this is that "I will probably occassionally use it for personal stuff." Bullsh!t. If I wanted a personal cell phone, I would carry one now. If they want me to carry an "on call" phone, they should pay for it.

I would tell them straight up that if you want me to carry a cell-phone, you will pay for it. End of the story.