To ask them to pay to replace my phone screen?

[Housekeeperbatcocoa]

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!

Sorry OP - I think you would be unreasonable to ask them to pay for your phone

it maybe be cheaper to look for a refurbished phone instead ?

I’d ask but with no expectation that they would agree. Not because it’s unreasonable given it was a work place accident and you weren’t doing anything that hadn’t been agreed previously. But because they simply don’t agree, can’t be bothered with the admin or don’t care.

Also, how they react (not necessarily the outcome) will give you a sense of what working for them means long term.

Having worked as a nanny it’s ridiculously reductive of people to say you shouldn’t have been on your phone to make a medical appointment when it’s only possible to do during your working hours!

However, whilst I can see, from your perspective, it’s the dog that caused the problem, equally, from their perspective, it’s because you didn’t pick a moment when the dogs weren’t nearby. It’s not necessarily as clear cut as you want it to be.

I think they should pay, or at least contribute a large chunk of the cost.

It happened at work on their time, walking thier dogs.

Its not unreasonable to take a call at work, at all.

God, why are you being so rude to people who reply to you.
Face it, it was your fault.

I think if the dogs chewed your phone or similar then you could ask. But dropping it because they "bumped" you isn't going to fly.

You could ask for an advance from your salary.
But my guess is if they are moneyed people they'll just tut tut at you having an expensive phone without knowing it wasn't bought by you.

As a by the by shocked by how much it costs to get a google pixel screen replacement. I got my cracked iPhone 11 repaired for £65.

It doesn't matter where you are - it is your responsibility to control the dogs, and if you are unable to do so then you should be telling your employers that - not whining about how it isn't your fault that you dropped the phone that you didn't insure on a path when walking dogs that you don't have under control. I am fairly positive that other people will be on the estate - you know, like others workers, mailworkers, delivery drivers etc. When responsible for dogs it does not matter where you are - you are responsible for their behaviour. And if you cannot do that then you should be explaining to your employer why you are unable to do as they ask. I repeat, if the dogs attacked someone - or even jumped up and caused injury - whilst under your control, then you are responsible for that. your attention should be on the dogs and not your phone. People on private property are still responsible for what their dogs do to others.

Also, if they are actual gundogs, then they definitely shouldn't be jumping up at anyone.

You are being grumpy because the vast majority of people can see that you are being unreasonable and are telling you so - you have argued with everyone why it wasn't your fault. It was.

You could mention that it happened and see what they say.

Op could you ask them if their insurance may cover it as it was their dog. Softens the asking as you are not directly asking them to pay. May make them say ohh we will pay don't worry.

You're still making stuff up! It's a big farm in the middle of nowhere - I was the only person about!

PS - I have just googled your replacement screen for Pixel 6. DIY kit to do the job is 12.99 on eBay. I found a couple of places offering repairs for £37. If you shop around at smaller outlets they will often do the job for a fraction of the cost that the "official outlets" charge. My friends husband has one such shop and I just texted him the question - he says about £50 would be the going rate.

Gosh - they have lawns (because you said that you were next to a lawn) in the middle of nowhere???? I have made nothing up. Because you do not see a person around (especially when you are looking at your phone and not what is around you) there can be people or animals or anything - you are not paying attention to the dogs and they are therefore not under control. Changing your story to fit your facts doesn't change any of that.

Yabu it's your personal phone and I assume you decided to try and do two things at the same time (dog walking and making a phone call). Your fault I'm afraid. See if you can get a refurbished mobile phone as a replacement.

@Housekeeperbatcocoa if you were working then you aren’t being paid to take phone calls. I work and have to schedule these things around it, GP calls included. They are dogs and no doubt excitable. Take this one on the chin and insure your phone in future! Accidents happen and they aren’t always someone else’s fault!

It was an accident and it's not their responsibility. It's your phone and your personal call. Nothing wrong with you taking the call, but it isn't your employer's responsibility.

Check with your current account provider. They might offer phone insurance.

I do not think they are liable for the phone. But if repairing it leaves you in real hardship and you have a good relationship with your employers I’d ask them if they were in a position to replace it for you (or alternatively whether you could have an advance on your wages and pay them back in instalments). Only you know really whether your relationship would support such a request.

Ignore all the silly comments saying you should not have been using your phone at work. This was just an unfortunate accident. I don’t think anyone is to blame as such. If your employers are kind and value you they may well want to help. It sounds as though doing so would not be a financial burden on them.

Sorry OP, while it's frustrating I think it's your fault for having it in your hand while you were wrangling dogs.

You are being totally ridiculous

Of course YABU. You were at work. It was gracious of them to allow you to make personal calls but it doesn’t make them in anyway responsible for your phone.

Sympathise with the gp thing. Ours can ring anytime after the e consult to 6.30 the next day. It's a nightmare and then you get lectured if you were unable to pick up. I don't think you can ask your employers to pay though.

It isn't really your employers fault or responsibility. It is very very annoying and unfortunate. And it being a personal call, you've said they don't mind. My employers don't mind either, and I have broken a phone at work before.

I wouldn't pay £140 to replace a screen though. How 'into' the phone are you? If not very I would go to the CEX shop and get a sim free phone. I've had a few phones from there they are very good and the warranty is usually 2 years (wouldn't have covered this though). Or go to an electrical shop and buy a new sim free phone

Of course you’re unreasonable- you are walking two large dogs and answer a personal call. The dogs might be badly behaved but you didn’t have them under control while trying to answer your phone. You also agreed to walk the dogs knowing they are bouncy

If I was your employer I’d tell you to be more careful and make sure you have your own insurance

Sorry for your loss OP

I can understand why you would be annoyed that the dog knocked your phone out of your hands. But ultimately I don’t really think you could ask your employers to pay for the phone. You must have a general idea about what they are like so you probably know better than anyone how it might go down if you asked them. One option could be telling them that you are no longer able to walk the dogs as they are too unruly for you and explain what happened to your phone. They just might offer to help replace it, or they won’t. £140 is ridiculous for a phone screen, have you looked around in different shops?

I also understand about the GP call, I’ll often have to tell my boss I’m waiting for the doctor to call in work time. It’s either let me go for 5 mins to take a quick call or be off for the whole morning. I think most employers would rather you just take a quick call rather than be off all morning!

She did, did you read the OP?

You are paid to look after the dogs. If your full attention had been on them then the phone wouldn't have got damaged. 100% your fault I'm afraid.