Non-work device and IT restrictions

[HibiscusAndDew]

I’ve taken on a role for a company where I don’t get a laptop, I have to use my own (it’s casual).
All fine I thought- but the IT restrictions are awful. It took weeks to even access emails, and even then only through an app. I have a desktop. It’s restricted so I can’t just add an account to my desktop, it requires an app to open each time.
Now I can open it I am restricted from downloading documents, syncing with my computer or editing. My entire job is the creation of heavily formatted documents. I have resorted to copy and paste into word at times, but then obviously all formatting is lost which adds a lot of work. A tiny edit request is a pain. It doesn’t even allow edit saves on the one drive.
Ive spent hours trying to access IT or looking for ways around it, it correcting issues. I’ve had a complaint as I tried to use the work one drive but turned out I didn’t sync, so it looked like I disregarded instructions.
Im mainly venting here. But has anyone ever encountered anything like it?

They need to set you up with a work laptop that they control.

this is playing fast and loose with information security and is an enormous risk to the organisation

are they this clueless in other areas?

You need a work laptop. Having to your own is a red flag!

I am considering leaving over it as I feel caught between IT rules and what I’m being asked.
I deal with legal and confidential files.
I feel that it’s a case of the department having needs for work, cutting corners, and the wider rules.
I have been very expressly told I am not entitled to a laptop.
I may be wrong, but I think I am the experimental staff member on a zero hour contract

So you can't do everything you need to do in the browser? It sounds like this is Microsoft-based, so you should be able to access email, edit documents, etc just using a browser.

Alternatively it sounds like they're trying to get you to use a virtual desktop like Citrix?

What's the app you have to use to log in?

Are you a designer? Using Adobe products with linked files and need everything local?

i was also going to suggest a virtual desktop like Citrix (many peoplei work with hates it, but i started my job in the middle of lockdown and we didn't get our laptops for 2 months as we weren't allowed in the office. Citrix was the answer and it worked brilliantly. No interference with anything i wanted to do with my own laptop)

if they are unprepared to give you a laptop (idiots) then they must set up an alternative as they are interfering in your private life.

sorry, i just realised you're using One Drive. I'm guessing it's all Modern Workplaceified? Then definitely something like Citrix is the answer.

They sound horrendous OP! Start job hunting (barely any jobs vacant here so I know it's easier said than done!)

The browser is a possibility, but not great. It significantly reduces the functionality and the fact I can’t sync has created issues with some areas. Things like once a file is shared, I need to create a new file name (which confuses others who aren’t restricted on work devices, I look stupid/ awkward). It also means I can’t use my pre-created templates so easily, the formatting gets messed up. Basically it’s not impossible, but means everything takes much much longer than if I have keyboard commands, I can format appropriately and I end up losing some functions. It’s more just a hassle, and a way of being caught out (eg I didn’t realise people didn’t see my edits and I was accused of missing things that were added). It’s just a barrier, it would make sense if I was to show someone for this line of work. It’s a mix of word processing and other programs too for design occasionally. Microsoft has limits, that for most who are just word processing probably aren’t seeing.

Can you open in Desktop Word from the browser like this?

No, I’m restricted from doing that. There’s a message something like ‘you cannot sync or download date to this device’.
Even copy and paste results in ‘you are not allowed to paste your company’s data here’.

If I edit online I can edit my own documents, but once they are shared (emailed to others) the edits don’t save

Okay so they have got things super locked down in a way that's just not compatible with a 'BYOD' (bring your own device) approach. It sounds like for what you need to do, Word Online isn't appropriate, so I would be throwing this back to the company to resolve. If you share rather than email the document, people can presumably edit the same version you're looking at? Fundamentally, however, their restrictions don't work with a member of staff with an outside device. Citrix or Azure Virtual Desktop is probably the right solution, but obvs that's for their IT team to determine, not you!

gawd, I thought it was bad enough being pressured to put an authenticator app on my entirely private phone. Being asked to use my private devices on someone else's secure data is a slightly nightmare scenario for me.

Hope you get it sorted better, OP.

You’ll laugh, once I share a document I’m restricted from further edits.

I know.

I think all you can do is escalate it to whoever holds your contract. They presumably haven't got a clue what it's like working without a corporate laptop. I would put in writing that the only way you can deliver your work is to save documents locally on your machine to work in them in Desktop Word, and then email the document as an attachment, receive commented attachments back (i.e. how we used to have to work about 15 years ago).

I would note that this seems to be an information risk for the company and you can't warrant that your personal laptop is secure. (Check your contract to see whether it's your responsibility to secure the device).