Work kit

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crackrdbycracku

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#142871 27-Mar-2014 10:46

Hi All,

I'm changing roles and for the first time in my working life I'm going to have a work phone, laptop.

I've decided to keep my personal phone number and have a new number for work, I was asked if I wanted to do this or retain my current number. I'm planning to keep a personal phone at this stage but I don't know how much I'll use it.

I don't consider myself an idiot while my employer pretty much defines fair and open. I get that you never do anything illegal on work technical kit but for reasons completely independent from employment, such as my belief in the rule of law, I don't do anything illegal anyway (OK, maybe sometimes I drive a little over the speed limit when overtaking but I haven't had a traffic ticket in years so please don't make this the subject of the thread).

The only thing I can think of is that if I go overseas on holiday I leave the work phone and stuff behind, within New Zealand probably leave it behind but might take it and that depends on the situation. Weekends away in New Zealand probably take the phone.

I know a lot depends on the role and that's flexible in my case.

So, pretty open question: How do you manage your work phone, laptop etc vs your personal stuff?

Mostly just curious.

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jeffnz

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#1013745 27-Mar-2014 10:52

I've always worked on " fair use" and paid anything on extra data or too many private calls. Generally most firms accept that the phone will be used for private calls and it is a part of the job but its subjective what is excessive.

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gehenna

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#1013748 27-Mar-2014 10:55

Currently I'm on a work plan with unlimited calling and work provided iPhone 5. It's not great for me as I do far more data/txt oriented things than actual calls. I get 1GB a month, plus can get double data for a small extra cost. But I often end up going over the 2GB by few hundred MB so I end up paying the difference. Still cheaper than having my own plan.

I use my own laptop though, and I manage that myself so it's not a company asset.

Ragnor

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#1013970 27-Mar-2014 16:32

Yes I would keep your personal number/phone separate from your work number/phone.

Heard of a few cases over the years were people took their personal number onto a work plan and later when they left the workplace didn't want to give them the number back.

No point risking that potential situation.

gregmcc

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#1013989 27-Mar-2014 16:50

I take the viewpoint, if I didn't have my personal cell phone would I use my work phone for the odd personal call....the answer is yes. I try to keep non work calls outside of work time, but that is not always possible, and if a non work call comes in during working hours and I'm busy with work then I answer and tell them i'll call back later.

As for the work laptop, I take it with me after hours IF I need it for personal use, otherwise outside of work hours it stays secure at home.

As a bit of a side note, I used to bring my work phone out of the car with me when I got home, but due to one of the bosses ringing me for work related matters after work on a frequent basis, I now just leave it in the car and deal with the missed calls in the morning.

Geektastic

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#1013999 27-Mar-2014 17:01

crackrdbycracku: Hi All,

I'm changing roles and for the first time in my working life I'm going to have a work phone, laptop.

I've decided to keep my personal phone number and have a new number for work, I was asked if I wanted to do this or retain my current number. I'm planning to keep a personal phone at this stage but I don't know how much I'll use it.

I don't consider myself an idiot while my employer pretty much defines fair and open. I get that you never do anything illegal on work technical kit but for reasons completely independent from employment, such as my belief in the rule of law, I don't do anything illegal anyway (OK, maybe sometimes I drive a little over the speed limit when overtaking but I haven't had a traffic ticket in years so please don't make this the subject of the thread).

The only thing I can think of is that if I go overseas on holiday I leave the work phone and stuff behind, within New Zealand probably leave it behind but might take it and that depends on the situation. Weekends away in New Zealand probably take the phone.

I know a lot depends on the role and that's flexible in my case.

So, pretty open question: How do you manage your work phone, laptop etc vs your personal stuff?

Mostly just curious.

No idea as they are fairly much the same thing for me and I pay the bills anyway!

I know in the UK they commonly expect employees to go through itemised bills and reimburse more than de minimis use of phones. We had the same policy when I worked at the DIA in Wellington.