Company forces me to use my own phone for work purposes!?

Question

The company I work for does not issue company phones. I am a delivery driver and when the customer is not available at the point of delivery my company expects me to ring the customer using my own phone or ring my company to ring the customer. I am also expected to use my own phone (without a hands free kit which is not provided) to answer questions from my company.
The boss has already threatend making myself redundant for not delivering items to addresses where no one is in or it is unsafe to leave the item because of fear of theft (whitch has also happened to me)
After raising the issue to my line manager today, stating that I have no obligation to make or recieve calls whilst driving on company business (illegal in its self) with my own phone which I own and pay for, i was told, 'if you dont like it then find a job somewhere else'.
Im wondering where i stand legally here?
My phone number is also given out to customers and calls I have made have been diverted abroad!!!!!

Answer 1

Legally, they are very much in the wrong. They are forcing their staff to break the law and cannot sack you for the reason of you refusing to do so. If I were you I'd speak to ACAS who are very helpful with employment law and will most certainly give you all the info you need. This company should be reported for what it's doing before an accident happens.

Good luck :)

Answer 2

First off, I am not a lawyer but in the business world, in general, personal expenses, incurred on a company's behalf, should be reimbursed by the company, at least on a monthly basis. You need to be able to prove the expenses by accurate records of course. I have to use my own phone in my work as well, but I get a check for the expense on a monthly basis once I file the proof of charges incurred. My advice, talk to your Human Resources manager about this and take it up as an HR issue, which it is. If nothing happens, find a better company to work for!

Answer 3

The question here is was this brought to you when you began with this company? If so, by accepting employment, you agreed to this. If not, was there any kind of meetings or briefing telling you about this? Is it in the company handbook? As for driving, check with your local law enforcement agencies and see if there is a cell phone ban. Many places allow you to use a 'hands free' device while driving. If so, invent in one.

If you disagree with the policies, there are many other fine jobs you could look for. Your boss is right there.

Answer 4

If you are on a contract, get an itemised bill and claim on expenses. If it's PAYG then I'm sure there must be ways and means for burying top-ups purchases in with fuel, oil, screenwash etc etc?

Either turn your phone off when driving, or get a simple handsfree kit.

Not sure about the legal implications. Was it stated that a mobile phone would be provided when you took the job?

Answer 5

It would be nice if they help out and gave you some money towards your phone bill but by law they do not have to.
My wife uses her for work as well, no assistance from her job. My job they pay my bill in full.
You can however write it off on your taxes, but not sure if that is worth your time and money since you would have to break up your phone to showing how many mins went to work and personal then break the bill down.

Answer 6

you can't do anything. apart from claim back any money in 'expenses'. give them an itemised bill, and if they kick up a fuss, tell them that it's the law. you may also need to look at the contract as it may exclude phone bills in some hidden clause.

if it turns out that there is nothing you can do, buy a really cheap phone on a cheap contract with lots of free minutes from a place such as http://www.ukphoneshop.com/
this way nobody will get your number and it will cost much less

good luck!

Answer 7

Your employer may require you to provide your own tools. This is not considered different than an auto shop requiring a technician to provide his own wrenches, or a school district requiring teachers to bring their own chalk.

You may expense your own phone on your federal tax return as a job-related expense if you itemize, if your employer requires you to use it.

Ask your service provider about how to eliminate the possibility of having your calls re-routed to Jamaica or wherever.

Otherwise, your only recourse is to get a different job. Try to get on the boss's good side in hopes of a nice recommendation.

Answer 8

my company expect much the same from me.

therefore i use my company vehicle for my own purposes, although i'm not supposed to.

don't worry about any of your calls being diverted abroad though, you only pay for the original call, whoever diverted their incoming calls pay the rest of the call.

eg., if you're phoning from london to glasgow, and when the call connects there is a 10 second message saying it's being diverted to a spanish number, then you have a 50 second conversation to spain, you pay for a 1 minute call to glasgow, whoever owns the glasgow phone pays for the 50 second call to spain.

Answer 9

Sweetie, IF that was happening to me I would be "ticked off" too!
The way I see it, is I would have one option, look for another job. When you find one, work a two week notice (this is important) before quiting your current job.
No one should take advantage of employees this way.
However, if you have certain benefits and advantages with this job, stay put.
You have to weigh everything involved. Is it possible that you have more advantages to stay at this job? If not, begin your new career search today.
You shouldn't have to leave your job on bad terms. Just be cool and mature, but you have to do what's best for you.

Answer 10

WOW this is wrong!!!! If the job requires you to have aphone then the company shoudl provide it- your phone is for your own persoanl use - unless the recompense you for the calls used.
Do you belong to an union? if so contact hem if not go onto one of the many websites re employment law and search for your rights, or you could consult a solicitor- the first half hour is free. or go to Citizens advice they can advise you too.- good luck