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Help wanted - Company trying to keep my mobile number

8 replies

katherine2008 · 05/05/2009 16:52

I am leaving work in three weeks time having given notice at the end of my 9 months SMP. About 18 months ago, the company, which had been paying my mobile bill in its entirety each month (I am a PR) as well as paying for a Blackberry for me to access my emails asked if they could streamline all phones and put my number on a Blackberry which they would pay for, thereby avoiding tax issues. I agreed and was assured that there was no issue with them borrowing my mobile phone number, which I have had for at least four years longer than I worked for them. When I went on leave the company kindly offered to pay for my phone whilst I was on leave (I did offer to get a pay as you go), although in hindsight I expect this was because they couldn't get out of a contract. At xmas, when on maternity leave, I was provided with a new handset on a new service provider. I hate the phone and don't have much of a signal on the new service provider, but figured that I couldn't complain too much as I was on leave. After resigning, I was asked if I wished to 'sublet' the phone and the tariff for the remaining 18 months on the contract (ER NO, for the reasons mentioned before) or if I wanted to pay the termination fee of around £400. I sent a strongly worded email etc, saying it was my number, not theirs, that they entered into the contract not me and that they didn't consult me, and they came back to say my boss had generously agreed to pay half of the fee. I'm still livid that I have to pay £200 - does anyone have any idea where I stand legally? I have signed nothing but they are kind of refusing to give me my PAC number and have asked the people who do our phones to invoice me to home....

Such a shame, 11 years and this. And I hoped to freelance for them, but truly feel totally let down. Any help appreciated! Thanks!

OP posts:
EldonAve · 05/05/2009 16:56

Do you have anything in writing regarding them borrowing your number?

katherine2008 · 05/05/2009 17:19

no, but could prove the number was mine. another employee was in the same position and backs me up but whether she would if push came to shove..? without something in writing am I a bit stuffed?

OP posts:
BetsyBoop · 05/05/2009 18:50

I think you only need a PAC if you are transferring to another provider, it might be easier to transfer the number to a personal account with the same provider, at least in the short term.

Do you still have you old (own?) mobile phone? If so I would offer to return the (company "owned" via their contract) Blackberry and get a new personal account SIM to use with your old mobile for now.

(I know this might be a pain, but the thought of transferring accounts/numbers/equipment AND swapping to a new SP doesn't bear thinking about...better to do it a step at a time IME!)

I don't think you should pay (even part of) any "get out of your contract" penalties that the company are liable for on the contract THEY signed, that seems totally unreasonable to me - they may be able to "transfer" this account to someone else in the company anyway (either way not your problem as I see it)

It might be worth you calling the customer services dept of the SP yourself, just to confirm what the options are or have a search online (I know for example Vodafone have stuff about transferring accounts/numbers between employees & companies, as I was considering keeping my company no. when I was made redundant - didn't in the end)

LeninGrad · 06/05/2009 11:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

katherine2008 · 06/05/2009 12:46

so i should have got something in writing stating that the phone number was mine and should have been returned to me when I left I guess?

OP posts:
LeninGrad · 06/05/2009 14:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

katherine2008 · 06/05/2009 18:08

cost is the main issue really and the fact that I can't believe how shoddily I have been treated... but I guess welcome to the real world. i will pay, of course, but just want to show them if they are wrong! but you are right, i should probably not waste any more sleep and chalk it up to experience...

OP posts:
LeninGrad · 06/05/2009 19:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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