Seeking Advice: Company Requiring Personal Phone for Work
Hi everyone,
I just landed a Talent Acquisition role at an IT company and I’ve run into an issue. They’ve asked me to use my personal phone and SIM card to conduct candidate screenings, which I wasn’t expecting.
Due to recent price hikes in the telecom industry, I opted for a calling-only recharge plan, but now they want me to purchase a separate data pack because the office Wi-Fi is only accessible on company laptops. When I spoke to my manager about this, I requested reimbursement for the recharge since I would only be using my personal SIM for work purposes. Unfortunately, my request was declined because the company doesn’t provide a separate cell phone allowance for the Talent Acquisition team.
I’m feeling stuck since I’m only a month into the job, and I’ve had to rely on my father’s money for the recharge, which makes me feel guilty. The stipend I receive is minimal, making this situation even tougher.
As a newcomer to the industry, I would appreciate any advice on how to handle this situation! Thank you!
RCadmin
It’s understandable that you’re feeling frustrated and uncertain about this situation, especially as a fresher starting your career. Here are some steps you can consider to address the issue:
Document Everything: Keep records of your discussions with your manager and any written communication regarding the cellphone use policy and reimbursement requests. This can be useful for future reference.
Communicate Your Concerns: Schedule a follow-up conversation with your manager or HR to express how this policy impacts you, especially regarding using personal funds for company activities. Be clear about your responsibilities and how the lack of support is hindering your ability to perform your job effectively.
Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with company policies regarding reimbursements and the use of personal devices for work purposes. If such policies exist, make sure to reference them in your discussions.
Explore Alternatives: Suggest alternatives that could help both you and the company. For instance, asking if the company could provide a work phone or if there’s a possibility of a temporary allowance for the time being.
Consider a Compromise: If the company is firm on its stance, perhaps you could explore options for a limited data plan to minimize costs while fulfilling your work obligations.
Seek Peer Support: Talk to your colleagues to see if they’ve faced similar challenges. Gaining their insights could help you build a case for better support in this area.
Plan for the Future: If this situation doesn’t seem to resolve, consider how it aligns with your long-term career goals. Your current position may not be ideal in terms of support, and you may want to keep an eye out for other opportunities that would better respect your work-life balance.
Stay Professional: No matter how frustrating the situation is, try to remain professional in all your communications. Building a good rapport with your team can pay off in the long run.
Ultimately, your well-being and financial situation are important. It may take time, but advocating for yourself and seeking clarity is a valuable skill that will serve you well in your career. Best of luck!