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

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: 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.

:thumbsup:

 

[DaWhim]

tell them you will get a beeper instead?

 

[captains]

dont except phone. or take phone and call labor department saying that u were forced to have company phone and the company is deducting money out of your paycheck with out authorization. are u union? one of the 2 will most likely put a stop to that real quick but then again the company now will want to put a stop to u real quick also

 

[Feldenak]

Well, I'm on call and don't get extra "on-call" pay...but I also don't have to pay for the phone.

Really sucks Ned. I hope you are able to work your way out of it.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: captains
dont except phone. or take phone and call labor department saying that u were forced to have company phone and the company is deducting money out of your paycheck with out authorization. are u union? one of the 2 will most likely put a stop to that real quick but then again the company now will want to put a stop to u real quick also

See, that's the real problem - this company has a real reputation for destroying people who buck the system. I once wrote a negative letter to the editor of our local paper concerning another company that did similar business to ours. Over the next few days I was more or less told to keep my mouth shut about such things, or I might be in danger of becoming a free agent.

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: 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.

If I were you, I'd try to get them to drop this. If they are going to force this on you, I'd insist on getting my own phone, with the bills coming directly to you, so that you're ultimately responsible for the bills, rather than your employer.

You are in control of the on switch, young Jedi.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: captains
dont except phone. or take phone and call labor department saying that u were forced to have company phone and the company is deducting money out of your paycheck with out authorization. are u union? one of the 2 will most likely put a stop to that real quick but then again the company now will want to put a stop to u real quick also

See, that's the real problem - this company has a real reputation for destroying people who buck the system. I once wrote a negative letter to the editor concerning another company that did similar business to ours. Over the next few days I was more or less told to keep my mouth shut about such things, or I might be in danger of becoming a free agent.

good gawd Ned, aren't you interested in seeking employment elsewhere?
people don't need to be subjected to nazimanagement.

 

[Aharami]

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?

my company pays time and a half for on call time.
you can get one of those pay as you go cell phones....if you're only gonna use it for work, then that might be cheaper

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: captains
dont except phone. or take phone and call labor department saying that u were forced to have company phone and the company is deducting money out of your paycheck with out authorization. are u union? one of the 2 will most likely put a stop to that real quick but then again the company now will want to put a stop to u real quick also

See, that's the real problem - this company has a real reputation for destroying people who buck the system. I once wrote a negative letter to the editor concerning another company that did similar business to ours. Over the next few days I was more or less told to keep my mouth shut about such things, or I might be in danger of becoming a free agent.

good gawd Ned, aren't you interested in seeking employment elsewhere?
people don't need to be subjected to nazimanagement.

If I want to continue living in eastern Tennessee (where my parents and in-laws live), then this is the only job that has decent salary ranges. However, over the past year I've sent out some resumes and begun thinking about other cities/areas.

 

[franksta]

My wife's job is similar, although I think they'd be open to help pay for it. But even with the minimum plan we never exceed our monthly time allotment.

 

[randomlinh]

i'd start looking for a new job... that's just absurd. how the hell are they getting away with that sh!t

 

[Czar]

I have a cell phone from work... and I have my own personal one .. so I carry two
but I dont have to pay anything for my work phone thankfully

your workplace is just stupid

 

[ATLien247]

I guess it all depends on your financial situation. If you can afford to be out of a job, then I'd tell them to go fvck themselves.

 

[gigapet]

put your foot down on this one. You should under no circusmstances take what in essence is a pay cut for an additional responsibility.

 

[Patt]

I think, as it has been mentioned, you need to seek alternative employment. If you've been threatened about your job security before, or are afraid of 'bucking the system', I would be looking elsewhere. I can understand the on-call thing, but this whole thing is just wrong. You want to be on call, on your bill for 24 hours a day?

I'm fortunate in my position in that overtime isn't usually a big part of things, and I am never on-call. If there was an emergency, they know how to get a hold of me, but they don't have access to me when I'm not sitting beside my phone.

 

[AnyMal]

That's ridiculous. That being said, keep in mind that since YOU pay the bill therefore it will be YOUR personal phone, meaning you don't have to answer any calls you don't want.

 

[djheater]

My compnay compensates for on-call time and pays for the cell phones and service plans. Personal calls are fine as long as they're reasonable.

 

[imthebadguy]

go to work with a glock

 

[bonkers325]

get a pre-paid phone

 

[MadPeriot]

Your company is such bullsh*t!!!! I used to have a boss who asked for our personal cell phone and calls us on it all the time until we were fid up with it and made him pay for our bills. My current job pays for my home internet, cell, laptop, but I also carry a damn pager 24/7. If you pay for that bill you're entitled not to pick up the calls from work and use it for personal. Tell them to suck it.

 

[Queasy]

My first job let some use their own cell phones and then would compensate them for work-related calls. Why don't you try something similar?

 

[casper114]

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.

DAMN! I agree with you, that's crap! I have an on call cell phone but it's free, and if we want to use it for personel use it costs us 10 bucks a month.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

I would spend the next four hours of company time polishing my resume.

 

[kyparrish]

that's BS...

 

[DeadByDawn]

That's insanity.