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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Aquestioningmind · 26/07/2023 07:35

Let’s be honest - you were irresponsible to be walking dogs and on your phone. You should have been paying full attention to the dogs, regardless of whether or not your employer lets you make personal calls at work.

This is all on you and you’re the cheekiest CF for even considering asking them to pay.

JaukiVexnoydi · 26/07/2023 07:36

I don't think you can get your employers to pay for this.

If I was expecting a GP call that was vital for my health I would be limiting my activities to only things that are compatible with answering the phone at a moment's notice, until such time as the call had happened, so not been out on a brick path with unruly dogs. It would be a morning of folding laundry etc until the phone call happened, and if that wasn't feasible I would take it as a sick day at home.

If your employers are expecting you to jeopardise your health so as to not disrupt their dogs walkies routine they are shit employers.

Dibbydoos · 26/07/2023 07:38

I'm so sorry OP that's crap and you def need to speak to GP when they call cos if they're like mine, you can't call them back save for sitting in an hour and half queue!

There's nothing wrong with asking. I'd say the dog broke the screen so you're in a bind as you don't have a spare. They may offer a spare versus paying for a screen replacement. But you'll still need to save for the screen replacement which is crap.

Threemyopicmice · 26/07/2023 07:42

NailTapBucket · 26/07/2023 01:21

I disagree with everyone else - sounds like they should be paying because their dogs should be better behaved - you did what you could to "look after 🙄" your phone!

If the dogs are that badly behaved then don't walk them - simple.🙄

JudgeJ · 26/07/2023 07:42

Housekeeperbatcocoa · 26/07/2023 01:34

I am not a dog walker. The family are happy for me to use my phone for personal calls at work as long as it's reasonable use (never used my phone before this)

Unfortunately I also can't control when my GP rings me and really needed to speak to her! We get a window of between x-y for our appointments!

if you"re good at your job and I were rich enough to be able to employ a housekeeper then I think I would pay at least half to maintain good relations with you. All you can do is ask, good luck.

Aprilx · 26/07/2023 07:44

Perhaps if you were just turning up for work and the dog had bounded down the path and sent you flying, I could see where you are coming from. But you were the person in charge of the dogs at the time! And unless they are Great Danes, I am struggling to picture how a dog could knock a phone out of a standing humans hand when it is at their ear. Sounds more like you were just juggling around with phones and leads to me and in that case it is probably better that you dropped a phone than a lead. YABVU. This is on you.

Auntieofdragons · 26/07/2023 07:47

It might be worth asking if they can claim on house insurance but that’s a massive inconvenience for them. If you were my employee I’d probably pay but ask you not to use your phone while working again if it’s expected that I pay for damage.

FlamingYam · 26/07/2023 07:48

@tenbob this is childish but no, you're really missing the point. Twice. And simply repeating the same point that you missed. Perhaps have some coffee.

I am asking OP if she has house insurance to claim on for her damaged phone. Not if her employer does. I don't think she should be asking the employer.

Beachbreak2411 · 26/07/2023 07:51

Don’t be daft! Of course they shouldn’t pay!! If I dropped my phone at work it wouldn’t even enter my head to ask my boss to put to fix it!!

CashmereDarling · 26/07/2023 07:53

Hmm. I would say ask, but find a good way to do it. They can only say no 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don't own a dog but if I did and this happened I would feel partly responsible at least.

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 26/07/2023 07:54

All you can do is ask/mention it and hope they'll offer to help in some way. Don't react badly if they don't though, as they aren't actually liable.

NewPapaGuinea · 26/07/2023 07:56

“The family are happy for me to use my phone for personal calls at work”

See how quickly that ends if you try this claim.

primoseyellow · 26/07/2023 08:00

Very annoying as even the screen will be quite a bit to replace. But I really don't think it is the owners responsibility, it was an accident.

CoffeeandCakeNow · 26/07/2023 08:10

@Housekeeperbatcocoa I've sent you a direct message

Quveas · 26/07/2023 08:10

NailTapBucket · 26/07/2023 01:21

I disagree with everyone else - sounds like they should be paying because their dogs should be better behaved - you did what you could to "look after 🙄" your phone!

Sorry, but the OP was not "walking the dogs". They were at work. And therefore should not have taken a personal call unless it was safe and sensible to do so. Supervising dogs is not a time when it is safe or sensible to do so. And I am not one of the "MN dog-hating brigade". But I am fed up to the back teeth of people who are "walking their dogs" completely unsupervised whilst they are on the phone. If the owners dogs had attacked someone whilst she was on the phone, most people here would be screaming blue murder about not properly controlling the dogs. The fact that they jumped up at her (i.e. not under control) and she dropped her phone was a direct consequence of her not giving her attention to her job. Her fault.

tavli · 26/07/2023 08:12

I can't believe you think they should pay!

If you ask them then I would anticipate it's going to be the end of your good relationship with them!

Nanna50 · 26/07/2023 08:15

It was an accident, even a well trained dog could jump or pull suddenly for some reason. I understand the need to answer the GP call, my GP is the same. I usually make sure I’m doing something where I can easily answer my phone during that time slot.

i assume it’s not covered on your house insurance have you asked whether it would be covered on theirs?

Are they paying you a housekeepers wage, because not being able to pay phone insurance or replace a one off item doesn’t sound like it. Are you receiving everything that you are entitled to since your DP passed?

OhBanana · 26/07/2023 08:15

Definitely frustrating but I whether you were allowed or not you were on a personal call on your personal phone that you should have personal insurance for… yabvu to think your employer should pay!

NewDogOwner · 26/07/2023 08:18

You were taking a personal call when you were working. There is no work reason that you should be holding the phone while walking the dogs so this is not their fault.

meridian37 · 26/07/2023 08:20

If I crash my own car on the way to work should I ask my work to pay for the repairs?

WasJuliaRight · 26/07/2023 08:23

meridian37 · 26/07/2023 08:20

If I crash my own car on the way to work should I ask my work to pay for the repairs?

According to some if you had your boss’s dog in the car you could.

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 26/07/2023 08:24

Do you have home insurance with personal effects cover? A mobile phone would be covered under this insurance.

runningonberocca · 26/07/2023 08:25

Your personal phone for a personal call is your personal responsibility.

LadyLapsang · 26/07/2023 08:25

I just picked up you mentioned your partner had died. If you are in the UK the rules have recently changed regarding Bereavement Support Payments and some people who were unmarried now qualify. More information on gov.uk or MoneySavingExpert, including on time limits for back claims.

cuckyplunt · 26/07/2023 08:27

Maybe if you were paying attention to the dogs instead of your phone the dogs would be better behaved?