Employer trying to force porting of personal cell phone number

[MillauFr]

If you are in sales I think your biggest concern is having the customers start ordering using a website rather than having sales people call and take orders.

 

[gottalovepluto]

It seems like a what hill are you willing to die on situation. Is it actually worth it to consult a lawyer? That gets expensive fast.

Personally I’d just comply and get a new personal number and keep it completely seperate from business. Shmucky move on their part- so you know what they really think of you- but this wouldn’t be a hill I’d be willing to let my career die on.

 

[morgan98]

My old firm let us port our personal numbers and when I left they gave it right back to me and it was simple. It does seem strange to me that they would want your personal number that you signed over to them even after your left since there are people who used your personal number before it became the company number.

However, I don't know the legalities of it.

 

[tvguy]

It seems like a what hill are you willing to die on situation. Is it actually worth it to consult a lawyer? That gets expensive fast.

Personally I’d just comply and get a new personal number and keep it completely seperate from business. Shmucky move on their part- so you know what they really think of you- but this wouldn’t be a hill I’d be willing to let my career die on.

Actually, in some states the Labor Department will handle this type situation anonymously and for free. Nothing like a fine from the state to change a company's mind on policies.

 

[kymom99]

I would at least question it. Sounds like they are trying to use scare tactics to force your hand. Also, most attorneys will do a free consult so this would be an easy question to ask.

 

[crazelion]

I will give my google voice number which is connect to my landline. They will get robocalls all day. LOL That phone only works on wi-fi only. So good luck.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

By this article, the number is yours and not the company. Here is a quote from the article:
Ensuring a Phone Number Belongs to the Company

Since a phone number is not tangible property, then whoever receives the cell phone bill will own the phone number. The ownership is based on who has the authority to cancel or forward the phone number.

You said you pay the bill and get reimbursed. If that is the case, it sounds like the company can't take it.

I would tend to agree with this. They can’t touch that number without your permission....thus you own it.

 

[supersnoop]

I ported my personal number to a work plan years ago b/c I didn’t like carrying two phones. I know I won’t have a problem porting it out when I leave tho....

I’m curious how you’re so confident that you’ll be able to port out the number when you leave. The company will be notified and have to approve the port out.

I’ve been at companies that issue expense reimbursements and others that issue stipends. All gave me the option of carrying a company phone. I’ve always declined because my number is my number and will always be my number.

 

[Pumbaa_]

This is absolutely a hill worth dying on. They are being so shortsighted

They don’t want to change printed materials. Because that would be less expensive than replacing a human and retraining a human who will need a phone, new business cards etc

My phone is my phone. My texts are personal, my contact list is personal, my emails are personal, my social media is personal. By caving in, you have just handed over to the company rights to your personal life.

Consult an attorney.

 

[threecrazykids]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think I am more upset about the principal of their approach and stance than I am giving up the actual number. Its just a number. However, the idea that they feel they have the authority to force me to sign over something because it's cheaper and less of a hassle for them is what bothers me the most.
I did contact a lawyer who told me that I (as well as some others here) are 100% legally correct. Its not their number and they can't force me to do it. And that if they terminate employees siting this they would certainly face wrongful termination litigation. But they won't be that foolish, they will terminate for another reason.
The lawyer sited that they likely don't really want the number, they want your sales contacts and all the phone information (which also wasn't disclosed).
He suggested that if I hand the number over, remove any and all personal information and do a factory reset on the phone itself to avoid any potential security breach of the number since it has been used personally by me for over 20 years ( only been with the company about 2.5 years).
One other clincher, my husband is the only name on the cell phone bill...I am not even a user on the account so the employer would actually be forcing my husband to sign it over and he doesnt even work for them!

 

[tvguy]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think I am more upset about the principal of their approach and stance than I am giving up the actual number. Its just a number. However, the idea that they feel they have the authority to force me to sign over something because it's cheaper and less of a hassle for them is what bothers me the most.
I did contact a lawyer who told me that I (as well as some others here) are 100% legally correct. Its not their number and they can't force me to do it. And that if they terminate employees siting this they would certainly face wrongful termination litigation. But they won't be that foolish, they will terminate for another reason.
The lawyer sited that they likely don't really want the number, they want your sales contacts and all the phone information (which also wasn't disclosed).
He suggested that if I hand the number over, remove any and all personal information and do a factory reset on the phone itself to avoid any potential security breach of the number since it has been used personally by me for over 20 years ( only been with the company about 2.5 years).
One other clincher, my husband is the only name on the cell phone bill...I am not even a user on the account so the employer would actually be forcing my husband to sign it over and he doesnt even work for them!

See to me, giving up the number would be the issue. I've had my cell phone number for 27 years, and there are only 7 family members who have that number. I only give out my landline number (which I have had for 35 years). Both my wife's employer and mine have been trying for several years to get everyone's personal cell phone number for an emergency alert system. First thing they discovered is the amazing number of employees who have no personal cell phone. Then when they tested the alert system, they forgot that they are a 24/7/365 operation and no matter what time of day they tested, they were waking up 1/3 of their employees. So the automated system is kind of on hold because they realized, that depending on the emergency, they are probably going to have to make individual calls anyway depending on what they need and what your job and work hours are.

 

[runwad]

See to me, giving up the number would be the issue. I've had my cell phone number for 27 years, and there are only 7 family members who have that number. I only give out my landline number (which I have had for 35 years). Both my wife's employer and mine have been trying for several years to get everyone's personal cell phone number for an emergency alert system. First thing they discovered is the amazing number of employees who have no personal cell phone. Then when they tested the alert system, they forgot that they are a 24/7/365 operation and no matter what time of day they tested, they were waking up 1/3 of their employees. So the automated system is kind of on hold because they realized, that depending on the emergency, they are probably going to have to make individual calls anyway depending on what they need and what your job and work hours are.

My company just implemented this system too. I won't give them my cell number, they only have my landline number. I do have a google voice number so I put that number in for the alert system. They don't need my cell! They don't pay me to be available 24/7 so they can call the landline (really VOIP) and leave a message.

I hope you don't turn your number over to this company OP, they can print the dang new business cards!!

 

[tvguy]

My company just implemented this system too. I won't give them my cell number, they only have my landline number. I do have a google voice number so I put that number in for the alert system. They don't need my cell! They don't pay me to be available 24/7 so they can call the landline (really VOIP) and leave a message.

I hope you don't turn your number over to this company OP, they can print the dang new business cards!!

I think the legal concern that my company has now is, they DO provide company cell phones to some employees. There have been some court cases where THAT has been an issue. The Courts thinking, if you provide cell phones to some employees, and you want a cell phone number for all of them, why not provide all of them the cell phone. In the case of my company, probably about 50 people do not have a company cell phone. Is it too much to expect a company that has a $30 million budget, that wants to have a cell phone number for all employees to spent $12,000 a year to make it happen? Most courts think that is a drop in the bucket.

 

[AgentMama]

This is absolutely a hill worth dying on. They are being so shortsighted

They don’t want to change printed materials. Because that would be less expensive than replacing a human and retraining a human who will need a phone, new business cards etc

My phone is my phone. My texts are personal, my contact list is personal, my emails are personal, my social media is personal. By caving in, you have just handed over to the company rights to your personal life.

Consult an attorney.

This. Yours isn't a company I would want to work for. There is no way I would grant access for my number to be ported.

 

[LovesTimone]

My husband just forward his work cell ( a provided work cell) to our cell ( that we pay for)... so really not sure why you would have to give up your personal number... Well really I do, they want to make sure if you leave any contacts, or potential customers stay with them. Once they have control of your phone, all personal text, email, can and will be looked at. You personal business becomes their business. Don't think for a minute that they will not be monitoring all of that, even to the point to ask or make policy that they need your password to be able to get into your phone. They will have someone combing through the phone to look for whatever, as most companies do now with face book, and other online interactions. As well as cell control. Like if you are driving or needing to use google maps the cell will not work. If they call you will and can be expected to answer immediately, as it there phone. This is about control and money... money for them... When I was working I had a work cell, that I had my boss actually said to me, wow you don't have anything on your phone, nothing in the phone numbers, or text or emails... I was like how do you know that, she looked shocked when I questioned her, she said that they scan for company policy infractions, or illegal or immoral, or defamation of the company to keep everyone in company compliance. I was also told that I need to have a facebook page, which my answer was NOPE... I had a friend that this happened to her and what she did, was get a new phone and number and move all her info over to the new one, then wipe the old phone completely out- back to set up, and yes they said something to her, about why was there not any info in her phone... She also spent a minimal amount and got new business cards for herself that she gave out. So again this is about control and power.

Any way you look at it you will have to get another phone. Then they will want you to give them that number, or you will start giving that new number out to clients to reach you directly. I have gotten business cards with old number scratched out and a new number written on them and think nothing of it.

My suggestion is that you get another phone number with another carrier and then let them have that one to port to the new phone. Tell them your plan/contract
ran out, or you have a family plan which can not be altered of you will pay the fees... or whatever.

 

[mom2rb]

DH has had the same number for 20 years. Many former colleagues have this number. He is in an industry where people generally move every 5 or so years. There is no way he would give up his number.

 

[a742246]

Whoever name is on the telephone bill has control, that said, you would have to say to yourself "Is it worth fighting with your employer?" they may not fire you for this but future raises or promotions may be affected by it.

 

[tvguy]

Whoever name is on the telephone bill has control, that said, you would have to say to yourself "Is it worth fighting with your employer?" they may not fire you for this but future raises or promotions may be affected by it.

The flip side, new business cards are a lot cheaper for an employer than defending themselves in court if they were to retaliate.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I think what people are trying to say (who say "is this the hill to die on") is that you do probably own the number; however, if you enforce your rights, you will "put yourself on a clock" with this employer. Now, they won't fire you for this - they aren't stupid. But you might become the "under the microscope" employee that they keep a careful watch on to wait for the chance to reprimand/deny raises/suspend/eventually fire. No one is perfect on a job, and it would probably be a matter of time before they found something they could legally hold against you. So, if you keep the number, you may start wanting to look around to see where you might want to jump in 12-18 months...

 

[Jimsig]

Actually, in some states the Labor Department will handle this type situation anonymously and for free. Nothing like a fine from the state to change a company's mind on policies.

I second calling your states Labor Dept, there may be something that even a lawyer doesn't know regarding this.

I used to work for Amtrak and due to the complicated Railway Labor Act they were allowed to hold our pay for longer than my state law said as they were a multi state nationwide railroad. I believe in my state you are supposed to get paid no more than 6 days after your pay period ends and Amtrak was holding it almost 14 days. When a new company came in that was now based in my state and based on what the Railway Labor Act said about it they were supposed to abide by the state law. Well the new company said they were going to hold us to the way Amtrak did. A call was to my states Labor Dept and with in 2 weeks we were being paid by the state law. The company was not happy but could not prove who called and dropped the dime. From what we were told the Labor Dept did not fine them but did tear them a new one when they complained about having to pay us the right way.