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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask them to pay to replace my phone screen?

357 replies

Housekeeperbatcocoa · 26/07/2023 01:08

Today at work while walking the dogs, one of them knocked it out of my hand. The screen is totally smashed and my phone is unusable. (I don't normally have it out but was trying to answer a call from my GP). I'm a private Housekeeper and walking the dogs is part of my job.

It's not insured - I've never had a phone damaged and tbh since my partner passed, money has been so tight it was an expense I couldn't afford. It's going to be at least £140 to replace the screen. (Google Pixel 6) It had a good case and screen protector but landed on a brick path.

Wibu to ask the family to either pay or claim off their house insurance? I'm using an old one at the moment but it's 3g so can't make calls!

OP posts:
cinnamonfrenchtoast · 26/07/2023 06:38

Of course you can't get them to pay for a replacement!

GP or not, it was your choice to use and answer your own personal phone while working around dogs you already know are badly trained.

If it was a work phone and work call that would be different.

HoppingPavlova · 26/07/2023 06:38

Although you could mention it. Dog bumped phone out of my hand and screen smashed. Do you have an old one I could use whilst at work

OP can’t really mention it in that context though. It would only be applicable if the phone was a work phone, used at work for work purposes. Not a spare private phone while they were at work!

I can’t imagine any scenario where an employer would be responsible for this.

Privatemedical246 · 26/07/2023 06:43

Why were you walking the dogs between the hour slot that the gp was phoning you. Why not wait for the call then walk the dog after. Sorry not your employer responsibility. If you were paying attention the dog may not have jumped or you may have seen it coming.

Wouldyouguess · 26/07/2023 06:55

lauraisa · 26/07/2023 02:09

Get off your phone while your supposed to be working. Your GP can leave a vm.

Wow!
Bloody hell, do you lock up your phone when you work? Because I surely don't and in emergencies have to use personal phone too. She was walking the dogs, not operating on someone's brain.

Wouldyouguess · 26/07/2023 06:56

Privatemedical246 · 26/07/2023 06:43

Why were you walking the dogs between the hour slot that the gp was phoning you. Why not wait for the call then walk the dog after. Sorry not your employer responsibility. If you were paying attention the dog may not have jumped or you may have seen it coming.

Assuming GP gives a slot. Mine says they will ring between 9-12. Not all GPs are organised the same way, it may blow your mind to find out.

tenbob · 26/07/2023 06:57

FlamingYam · 26/07/2023 06:30

Do you have house insurance? I know it has been mentioned below but I do think house insurance would cover this. My Apple Watch fell off my wrist and smashed and they covered it. I called them the other day to add a bike and all my phones are covered for theft and I assume same as my watch was. A

The key point being YOUR phones are covered

not the phones of people who don’t live with you and weren’t in the house when the accident happened

FoxRedGreySquirrel · 26/07/2023 06:58

Sorry for your loss, OP.

I can understand your frustration at the damage caused to your phone but this isn’t your employer’s fault.

Knowing you were waiting for a GP to call, even if it was within a two hour time slot, you could have asked to reschedule the dog walk, especially as you mention that they are large dogs and poorly trained. You can’t possibly be in control of them (I presume there are two) if you’re on the phone.

You could mention what’s happened to your employer without the expectation that they will help to cover the cost of repair, you never know, they might surprise you and offer to help, but they don’t have to.

I’ve no idea how housekeeping works but is it normal to be expected to walk dogs as part of the job? especially large, unruly ones?

underneaththeash · 26/07/2023 06:59

Considering you were meant to be in control of the dogs, it's your responsibility not theirs. Same as if you were nannying a toddler and they damaged something you'd left out.

user1492757084 · 26/07/2023 07:01

You can only tell the story as to why you have no phone.
The employers might help with repairs but are not duty bound to do so.
You could ask if they have insurance that would cover it but I don't like your chances.

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 26/07/2023 07:03

lauraisa · 26/07/2023 02:09

Get off your phone while your supposed to be working. Your GP can leave a vm.

How nasty. Of course OP can take a call from the GP at work. She was out walking a dog not performing open heart surgery.

rookiemere · 26/07/2023 07:03

No they shouldn't pay for it, but you should be able to get it repaired more cheaply than that , I paid £65 for an iphone screen replacement recently.
It's very unusual to have a housekeeper walking dogs and I wonder if they have insurance should the dogs injure themselves or somebody else while you are walking them.

bigdecisionstomake · 26/07/2023 07:14

The family won't be able to claim on their personal home insurance for an item that doesn't belong to them, their insurance will only cover their items. If they try to claim for a mobile phone they will almost certainly be asked for the receipt to show they purchased it. Only exception would be if they have special business insurance with some liability cover for employees.

Apart from anything else, their excess is like to be a minimum of £250 so not worth it.

BanditsOnTheHorizon · 26/07/2023 07:15

Dogs knock stuff, its your responsibility to ensure you put your own belongings out of harms way. Plus it's your job to walk the dogs so they are under your care at that point.

You cant expect the dog owners to replace the screen, that's bat shit.

Badbudgeter · 26/07/2023 07:17

HoppingPavlova · 26/07/2023 06:38

Although you could mention it. Dog bumped phone out of my hand and screen smashed. Do you have an old one I could use whilst at work

OP can’t really mention it in that context though. It would only be applicable if the phone was a work phone, used at work for work purposes. Not a spare private phone while they were at work!

I can’t imagine any scenario where an employer would be responsible for this.

Absolutely don’t think the employers are responsible. However I’ve worked as a housekeeper and there’s an expectation that you are contactable during the working day for last minute guests/ errands. It’s not the same thing as being the cleaner. I’ve been called and asked to hunt out a forgotten reading book and drop it into school for example.

Id normally use my personal mobile for these calls but it wouldn’t be unreasonable to ask for a work phone during the working day.

GoodChat · 26/07/2023 07:18

I don't think you can ask them to pay for this. You were in charge of the dogs so their behaviour in that situation is on you.

It's the same as if they bit someone when you were out. It would be your responsibility.

FonzTherapy · 26/07/2023 07:19

Housekeeperbatcocoa · 26/07/2023 01:54

I'm so sorry, i didn't realise you worked in the same house as me!

The family are fine with me taking calls and unfortunately I don't get to decide when my GP rings!

Show quote history

Being a bit of an arse no?

FlamingYam · 26/07/2023 07:20

@tenbob that's not how it works. My phones are covered by my house insurance but they don't need to be in the house at the time.

Beneficialchampion2 · 26/07/2023 07:20

Shit happens...

Do you always look to blame others and not take accountability OP?

You should have had insurance.

Hayliebells · 26/07/2023 07:20

Don't ask your employer to pay to fix your phone. It's not their responsibility, and it will likely sour the relationship.

Wheresmyrobe · 26/07/2023 07:23

For them to pay it would need to be their fault. It's not.

SmileyClare · 26/07/2023 07:25

Consider increasing your hourly rate if you haven’t done so recently, particularly if you’re struggling to live on the money you earn.

Whataretheodds · 26/07/2023 07:31

I'm betting at least half the posters who say 'get off your phone while you're at work' are able to, and do, glance at their phone during their working day, and would take a 15 min call from the GP during that time without booking paid or unpaid leave.

@WandaWonder I had already posted to say it wasn't on them. Wind your neck in.

tenbob · 26/07/2023 07:32

FlamingYam · 26/07/2023 07:20

@tenbob that's not how it works. My phones are covered by my house insurance but they don't need to be in the house at the time.

You’re missing the point
YOUR phones are covered. Not the phones of people who aren’t a member of your household

Overthebow · 26/07/2023 07:32

It’s not on then to pay, it’s not their responsibility. You should have insurance or understand that you may have to pay if you don’t. You’re just going to have to suck it up and pay, and maybe get a cheap phone next time.

Fuckitydoodah · 26/07/2023 07:35

It's not their responsibility to replace or repair your phone.

Maybe mention what happened and see if they offer, but there's no way I'd outright ask them. I think you'd risk them being quite miffed with you.