Page 4 | To refuse use of personal mobile for work

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 08/04/2022 19:33

My work tried to do this (I already had a corporate phone) and I said they could remove the phone but I don’t have my own so I would need at the very least a reliable method of making calls from my laptop (this was waaaaay before Covid and Teams and stuff, we just weren’t set up for it).

I kept my phone, but I know plenty of people who didn’t push back on that and now use their personal phones with emails and everything else on them. I work for a big blue high street bank by the way so hardly a massive outlay!

We have VPN connections for WFH - mine is an app but I know there are literally hardware items that will do that (if anyone has one of those card readers that banks use or used to use for online banking, it’s essentially the same thing) if they don’t want to provide a corporate phone.

Regardless, I would be telling them I don’t have a smart phone and I’m not getting one so it’s not possible.

dropoutdoreen · 08/04/2022 19:44

Sounds like you don't like your job or company

Time to go?

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 08/04/2022 19:48

@dropoutdoreen

Sounds like you don't like your job or company

Time to go?

Because she doesn’t want to be out of pocket to save the company money? A company that can probably claim back any VAT paid on any devices? A company that OP says has a history of being cheap?

Can’t imagine why she might not want that tbh.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 08/04/2022 19:48

@DGRossetti

We have Microsoft authenticator and it's a pain in the arse. We have to use it every morning but then all of a sudden it decides to send another code at a random point during the day.

That's just badly set up.

Can I ask if you have any idea why it doesn't work on my Apple Watch? I get the alert but then get a connection error when I click on the alert.

Agapornis · 08/04/2022 19:52

The only solution I found is to keep saying you can't/won't.
I got a work phone 1.5 years after Covid started, I should have been given one 2 years earlier. A certain final straw meant that I stopped responding to managers' texts and calls, and removed myself from WhatsApp groups. They eventually changed their minds (though I had to arrange for one myself). Just because they don't care for a healthy work-life boundary, doesn't mean you don't have a right to it.

In the meantime, my manager has photos of children he works with on his private phone and cloud...

yellowsuninthesky · 08/04/2022 19:53

@iseeyou1234

You sound so petty OP and if I was your manager I would think that you’re just being a pain the ass. Is this really worth it?

But why should the OP use her own equipment for work purposes when they won't get employees use the work wifi? There's no give and take there. It's not petty, it's asking her employer to treat her and her resources with some respect.

Foolsrule · 08/04/2022 20:21

My employer expects us to use our own phones. I installed the app so I could take calls when asked to, redirected from my desk phone, and then promptly deleted it. I just claim it doesn’t work properly on my phone if challenged. I’ve repeatedly asked for a work phone and not got one. I can’t tell if incoming calls are work or personal. Why would I want to be available to anyone and everyone all the time? Apparently next year, they’ll introduce calling from Teams like it’s a desktop phone. It will have only taken 3 years since the start of the pandemic for this to happen 🤦🏻‍♀️ In the meantime, half of my service users have my personal number as in an emergency, I’ve had to call one or two people and they’ve passed it on. It’s such a gross invasion of privacy. I’ve had this number for the best part of 20 years. I don’t want to be forced to change it. My boss couldn’t care less! Oh yeah, and apparently we’re leading the way in employee well-being. My arse!

LuaDipa · 08/04/2022 20:23

@Hutchy16

I think a lot of the posters don’t understand what this app will be. It’s a ‘token’ on your phone, you type in a chosen passcode and they give you a code in return. This code is entered into your laptop to prove it is you that is logging in.

Nobody is accessing your phone, no data is transferred, nobody is having to work from their phone. It is literally a case of typing a passcode and getting given a verification code in return.

The whole idea of pushing back on this is beyond petty - it’s actually embarrassing for the OP (people would definitely be laughing at you for this)

This.

We’ve had similar complaints at work over something that takes 2 seconds a day. We are very laidback about personal phone use in the office and the use of company wifi. It is very petty and we are eye-rolling.

ImInStealthMode · 08/04/2022 20:35

I couldn't be arsed dying on this hill. I've got 2 Authenticators and Facebook Business Suite on my personal phone. I could put them on the on-call phone I have access to but it's an android I'm unfamiliar with so would take me twice the time, every time.

Much prefer to use my own familiar iPhone.

Mamabananananana · 08/04/2022 20:37

My work try and do stuff like this occasionally. I tell them the same as you. No wifi or space.

jgw1 · 08/04/2022 20:39

@Petal12

Hi all, work are intending on introducing multi factor authentication soon. To enter our system we will now need to verify this by authorising on an app we have been told is to be installed on our personal mobile phones. I used to believe in give and take but the last few years have shown the feeling is not mutual and you are simply a number to be used for as long as useful. I like to think I’m not a petty person but can’t get past this. My main bug bear is that I’ve not been asked, just told! Few other points so as not to drip feed

Not allowed to log personal devices into the

work WiFi. Why should I use my paid for data to facilitate this? No matter how little it may use. If they do allow me to use the work WiFi, does that mean the internet policy applies when using my phone in breaks i.e I can’t use any number of sites they deem inappropriate?

My iphone is quite old and has storage issues every week. I would have to delete other apps that I actually use to allow this google authenticator to download.
It’s another point of them being cheap and cutting corners.
What if I lose/break my phone?

I’m sure there’s probably security issues that I’ve likely not thought of as well. AIBU?

YANBU

We are meant to have MFA.
I replied to the email introducing it saying I don't have a phone, and asked when they would be supplying one. I am still waiting. Odd.

Tiredmamaaa · 08/04/2022 21:06

@Womencanlift

We have this and use it to log in, both in morning and if we lock our system during the day. Takes 2 seconds each time.

I am someone who is absolutely against having emails on my personal phone as agree on the separation between work and home but an app that takes less than a minute a day, I can’t get worked up about that

I’m the exact same and totally agree.

It really takes 2 seconds each day, would use little to no data and means you don’t need to use any negative energy to fight something that isn’t worth the fight. I’d say choose your battles if your company are terrible. This wouldn’t be one worth arguing over in my opinion.

247SylviaPlath · 08/04/2022 21:13

I think a lot of the posters don’t understand what this app will be. It’s a ‘token’ on your phone, you type in a chosen passcode and they give you a code in return. This code is entered into your laptop to prove it is you that is logging in.

Nobody is accessing your phone, no data is transferred, nobody is having to work from their phone. It is literally a case of typing a passcode and getting given a verification code in return.

The whole idea of pushing back on this is beyond petty - it’s actually embarrassing for the OP (people would definitely be laughing at you for this)*

Exactly this. The level of vehemence people feel towards their employers makes me wonder why they still work there. MFA is to increase security in a time of unprecedented attacks. Given most of the cyber risk in an organisation will be around its staff (someone clicking on the wrong link) it’s not unreasonable to ask staff to support measures which will increase cyber security.

The sheer pettiness of some of the responses on here are unreal. For those of you who hate your employers that much to get your knickers in a twist about stuff like this, go and do something else ffs, life is much much too short. Alternatives for those without smart phones will be offered, but for most people, it should be no issue at all.

jgw1 · 08/04/2022 21:15

@247SylviaPlath

* I think a lot of the posters don’t understand what this app will be. It’s a ‘token’ on your phone, you type in a chosen passcode and they give you a code in return. This code is entered into your laptop to prove it is you that is logging in.

Nobody is accessing your phone, no data is transferred, nobody is having to work from their phone. It is literally a case of typing a passcode and getting given a verification code in return.

The whole idea of pushing back on this is beyond petty - it’s actually embarrassing for the OP (people would definitely be laughing at you for this)*

Exactly this. The level of vehemence people feel towards their employers makes me wonder why they still work there. MFA is to increase security in a time of unprecedented attacks. Given most of the cyber risk in an organisation will be around its staff (someone clicking on the wrong link) it’s not unreasonable to ask staff to support measures which will increase cyber security.

The sheer pettiness of some of the responses on here are unreal. For those of you who hate your employers that much to get your knickers in a twist about stuff like this, go and do something else ffs, life is much much too short. Alternatives for those without smart phones will be offered, but for most people, it should be no issue at all.

And if my employer wants to increase security they can pay for a phone to do so, if it is that important to them.

Phormiumjester2 · 08/04/2022 21:25

It just sounds petty & pointlessly militant to me.

Pixiedust1234 · 08/04/2022 21:26

You can tell who are the managers and who are the lowly employees on this thread. The "leave if you hate that job" brigade think the op is being petty...

Wasn't there something that kicked off in the beginning of covid where employers had to pay for laptops, desks and chairs if they expected their employees to wfh as it wasn't right for them to expect their staff to use their personal items?

Don't let them push you into deleting your own apps to accommodate theirs...cfs!

Baystard · 08/04/2022 21:37

I'm a manager.

If a member of staff said "I'm sorry but my phone is elderly and already overloaded / not a smartphone" I'd be onto IT to get a solution in a shot.

If they were obviously lying, or just refused out of awkwardness, I'd be disappointed in the attitude and assume they really disliked our organisation.

OP it's about give and take. Do you never make a quick/infrequent personal call on work time? Do they dock your wages if you're 5 minutes late the day you get stuck in traffic? Do you have a work biro in your handbag?

If it's genuinely because your phone isn't capable then fair enough.

If it's because you won't give your employer an inch, and would rather they incur a not insignificant expense rather than doing something which costs you nothing, then I think you should start looking for a new job.

SergeiL · 08/04/2022 21:53

@Baystard has it right. Give and take. Feels like a small thing to give to me.

ImInStealthMode · 08/04/2022 21:54

I agree with you completely @Baystard. I'm a manager now but I wasn't for the first 12 years with my employer. They're not perfect, but there's give and there's take.

I cant imagine spending 30 or 40 hours a week working for an organisation I resented and begrudged so completely. What a waste of life.

Original poster

Petal12 · 08/04/2022 22:03

Yes it is give and take and I give a lot but never seem to get much in return - I often end up feeling a bit of a mug in all honesty. I love my job but am rapidly growing to dislike the people in charge and the way they’re going about things - the pandemic, their reaction to it and how they treat their very loyal staff has been a real eye opener in the last 2 years or so. I am already looking for another job.

OP posts:

Geezabreak82 · 08/04/2022 22:04

My work introduced this recently and I was a bit annoyed because it’s not easy to get them to give you a work phone, regardless of what level you work at (big charity employer). My biggest issue with it is that I don’t use my personal phone for work at all, so I’m not in the habit of making sure I have it with me when I sit down to work. I’ve had to run to find it a number of times recently when my computer has decided to do a 2FA check unexpectedly when I’m due to join a meeting. We use the Microsoft system and I’ve had to download an app onto my phone. You can get a text message or even a phone call with the code though so if it’s the Microsoft system it could be set up to ring your desk phone with the code.

TheRealityCheque · 08/04/2022 22:12

[quote Petal12]@NorthSouthcatlady how are you pushing back? Unfortunately, I’m in a very male dominated company and the few women who actually stand up to stuff usually get the eye roll and a reputation as trouble makers - I’ve literally just got over the part timers holiday allowance argument whereby a male manager decided part timers got op much![/quote]
Tell them you don't own a mobile phone.

You have a family one that sometimes you have and sometimes your partner does so can't guarantee you'd have one when you need it.

Or your partner pays for your phone and has said "no" to installing this App.

Or just that you don't have storage space.

They have no right to insist. If they want you to use this technology (which is great, TBF) they need to facilitate it.

cakeorwine · 08/04/2022 22:59

How do you normally access your systems?

If you mainly work from home, then it should be possible to get a call to your home phone.

If you are at work, then you can get it to ring your desktop phone.

It doesn't always have to be Microsoft Authenticator you use. I suppose it's how your IT team feel about the level of MFA they need.

ImInStealthMode · 08/04/2022 23:25

Or your partner pays for your phone and has said "no" to installing this App

If one of my team told me that their partner was controlling them to this extent I'd be talking to HR for completely different reasons. Wow.

Sarahzb · 09/04/2022 01:42

OKTA just takes the time to log in. No drama