Is it a "must" to give your cell phone number to your employer?

Question

I'll be hunting for a new job later this year. After I get the new job, would it be a "no no" to not give them my cell phone number?
And, just say I don't have one for use now? I would leave it at home, never using it around them. Is that bad?

Are employees truly expected to be available 24/7 now? I don't want them to have it so when I leave the office, I leave the work there. I plan to give them my home number, and, I have e-mail access.

What would you do?

My thinking is that, if they need me, they can call my home line when I'm there or e-mail me. Or provide a cell phone. ;) Honestly, I want work to stay at 'work' and have a home life for a change.

Thanks for the comments. I'm more concerned about them thinking that I"m not dedicated or loyal or willing to work as needed. Would they assume I have one and am hiding something? Surely, there are people without cell phones still and it wouldn't be THAT odd not to have one.. right? (I do have one.. but want to start leaving it at home and not be so attached to it.)

I love the call forwarding suggestion. That way I can determine what times calls would be appropriate.

How would it work on vacations? Would I just give the phone numbers of the hotels I was staying? And, while driving or flying there, they would have no way to reach me?

I don't mind "true" emergency calls, but dumb questions from co-workers and issues that aren't time sensitive from bosses gets old. If they want to ask, they can do it via e-mail or when I'm at work.

I think I'll do that next time.

Will not giving them a cell number so I can be contacted anytime hurt my career?

Answer 1

I think as long as you give them some kind of phone number where they can contact you would be sufficient.

Answer 2

Your company has no rights to your cell phone number -can you imagine the cost to you if people started calling you and you had to pay the cost?? They need to provide a phone if they require you to work 'on call' and they would also have to pay you for that on call work as well. If asked for your cell number -simply say you have one but you rarely use it as your rates are high.

You can always forward your home phone to your cell if and when you want to-in case of an emergency. I definitely would not give my Employer my cell number!!

Answer 3

They will need a home phone or an "emergency" contact in case you were hurt on the job.

There is no legal requirement that you give them a cell phone. Because you would pay the bill when they call you (an anomaly of cell phones which is not shared by a land phone), it should not be expected.

Answer 4

No, you don't have to give your personal cell phone number to your boss. However, you need to give them your home phone number in case of an emergency. If her jobs requires her to be on duty, than the Company should provide a Company cell phone for her.

Answer 5

your cell is your private phone i do not give my cell number to the very people i don't want to be bother by if my employer can't reach me at my home phone that is just to bad i do not sit at home hoping to get a call to come into work on my time off my time off is my time you only work for these people they don't own you even if you are the top ceo your time is yours and if you are on call they will give you a pager you have to have some down time no matter what kind of work you do and by all means don't feel bad for not giving them your cell number it is for your own personal use

Answer 6

Lie to them and keep my cell phone at home.

If they want you 24/7 they should pay for the cell phone. Otherwise work is work and home is home.

BTW, some time in the next 10 years, employees are probably expected to be available at all hous. It IS coming, though it isn't here yet.

Answer 7

Only if they pay the cell phone bill. Some companies give their employees cell phones in an effort to be able to reach them at all times. If your company does not give you a cell phone, you are not obligated to give them your number.

Answer 8

No. Giving them your cell phone number would help you get your messeges (for upcoming interviews) faster if you are out of the house often. After you are hired, there shouldn't be a need for them to use it unless they were trying to get a hold of you to let you know not to come into work that day.

Answer 9

Your home phone will be sufficient enough for them I would imagine. Unless you have a job that requires you to be on-call sometimes. Then it's convenient if you want to leave the home, and they can still reach you when needed. Try and get them to provide you with a cell or pager if they really need to get ahold of you. That way they pay the bill.

Answer 10

i was working at a gas station once where they always called me if someone else didn't show up to work so when they called my house from work whoever answered said i wasn't home even if i was and when they called my cell i saw the caller i.d and wouldn't pick up then when i went to work and the manager would ask why he couldn't get a hold of me i said i wasn't home and forgot my cell phone or i let a friend borrow it. and when i did pick up my cell phone i said i was far away and wouldn't be able to make it for like 3 hours.

they can't say anything because you have your schedule and as long as you go and work your hours the rest is up to the manager or supervisor. it's not your fault if someone else didn't show up and then they want u to work more, let them work.