My boss pays for my cell phone service since I mainly use it for work. I recently asked for a new phone because mine was having problems charging (but the battery seemed to be fine). He got me a new phone without a question, but I didn't like the phone he got me. Mainly the buttons were too small and I had trouble keeping the ear piece positioned over my ear. So I went and purchased a different phone on my own. Now I'm wondering how best to handle the situation when it comes up that I'm not using the phone he purchased.
For what it's worth, the phone he purchased was a very low end basic phone. I don't know if he got it free as a yearly upgrade on my number, but I was due for one.
On the one hand I'm very tempted to just stick the one he purchased in a drawer and if the question ever comes up just say I dropped it and it broke. On the other hand, I feel like I should just return it and say I didn't really like it so I purchased a different phone.
2007-02-07 19:55:37 · 13 answers · asked by Justin H 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
If the company purchased that phone for you, you should at least turn it in because it cost them money and you're not even using it. There's nothing wrong with the reasons you gave for getting a new phone, just explain it to your boss. It's very understandable. Seriously, what's the worse that can happen? You can't be fired for trying to do a better job by getting a better phone!
2007-02-09 00:50:13 · answer #1 · answered by pathfindercia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Justin,
Was the phone he provided sufficient for you to take care of business? If not explain that to him.
If so, you must explain why it is you got what you got. Since the company is footing the bill for the service, you must offer to pay for services NOT required for you to perform your duties (mobile internet, email, ringtones, etc.) Features are fine, and sometimes they help with getting things done, but if those things are truly not required...I think it best just to say what's on your mind.
2007-02-08 04:04:02 · answer #2 · answered by Wolfsburgh 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does your boss consider the phone to be the property of the company, or what it a gift to you? If it's a gift, you don't have to do anything, technically. If it's company property, return it to him and say that, while you were grateful that he got you a new phone, it wasn't sufficient for doing business, so you got a new one. Offer to help him sell the old one.
2007-02-09 16:41:34 · answer #3 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would approach him and tell him the truth about why you don't like the phone and then ask if it would be okay by him if you were to pick out your own phone and pay the difference should it cost more.
2007-02-08 04:13:25 · answer #4 · answered by TonyDphilosophy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would personally ask my boss where he got the phone,,
explaining its faults like, it was so tiny to use.. and that i couldnt use it properly.
So explain that the one you brought was alot better.
If he got annoyed at that,,
Explain yours is for personal use. and you will be still using his for business.
(or at least tell him that),
And make sure you keep both on you..
If it was free i dont think he would mind..
but if he paid for it.. Yah it wouldnt go down to nice.
Dont throw yourself in the fire, or distroy the phone,, you could get refund on it or put it away without the boss getting upset at you.
2007-02-08 04:01:23 · answer #5 · answered by A Lady Dragon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell him the truth. He'll respect your honesty, the fact that you took care of the problem yourself and have a phone for someone else if he so chooses.
BTW - As an employer, if I caught anyone in one of the lies previously suggested, I'd can them for the lie.
2007-02-11 17:21:39 · answer #6 · answered by CJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use the Office SIM for your handset and use if for Official purposes only. If he asks about the set he got, say you are not using if because the buttons were too tiny for your fingers. He won't feel that bad.
2007-02-08 07:51:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One idea - say that your girlfriend/wife gave you a new phone for your birthday and you don't want to harm her feelings by not using it or something like that, and give back the phone that your boss gave you.
2007-02-08 04:01:54 · answer #8 · answered by Victory 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Be honest. Show him the phone and let him see the advantages of the new phone. He may be impressed that you bought your phone on your own.
2007-02-08 04:10:29 · answer #9 · answered by grannywinkie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that Victory has the right idea, that is probably the best way to handle it. Give her the 10 pionts for best answer.
2007-02-08 04:05:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋