Reply to: Client mobile phone

[Bee]

I use the client phone for work and the personal phone for personal calls.
O don't see any issue using the personal phone at work, but it's wrong use the client phone for personal calls.

[northernladuk]

Just forward the ClientCo phone to your personal mobile for duration of the contract.

I'm still not convinced this is a smart thing to do without checking with th3 client or at least check any guidance.

[pr1]

Probably because they all apply to everyone - permanent and temporary worker alike. If they weren't, and you were treated differently then that would have IR35 implications.

[Scruff]

Just forward the ClientCo phone to your personal mobile for duration of the contract.

[northernladuk]

I've known contractors who've refused to do the clients crappy H+S powerpoint training because they're not 'employees'. That went down well. Just do it FFS or client is going to take a dim view.

Just to reiterate, like your mate with the knackers, these people are idiots. It's best just to ignore them rather than use them as examples.

[MrMarkyMark]

Out of interest - if client wouldn't back down on the phone issue and insisted you had one what would you do? If it was me I think I'd do what Eirkur did and take it and not use it. If client kept on then I'd do what they want. Things like this are not worth losing a contract over....

Well, you could take it and not use it, but I would tell them it would just be sitting gathering dust at home.
I'm good at talking to clients, however, so we would probably have agreed the phone is unnecessary and best utilised by someone else, prior to this being insisted on.

I must stress I don't face any of the "problems" regularly raised on here, my discussions usually consist of what I can do for the client, resources required and sometimes the cost.

H&S and regulatory stuff is a completely different kettle of fish.

[psychocandy]

I don't think any way I dealt with the issue, 5 times (!), could be deemed unreasonable. That's nothing unreasonable about not wanting to carry another phone, especially if you can still be reached.

You can say what you like, my CV says a different story, some of the biggest, most well known, clients out there, multiple extensions, repeat business etc.
How many times do you hear me moaning, on here, about childish, petty, rubbish that should have been nipped in the bud early doors?
Never.
If you think I make up anything I post on here, about how I conduct myself, in what I do, you are very sadly mistaken.

Anyway, the short of it, is you carry on doing things your way, I'll carry on doing things my way.

The difference will manifest itself in profit terms, or to put it simply, no JSA required here.

HTH

MM - I dont disagree with you. But its fair to say that clients do come up with some funny requests sometimes. If you can talk your way out of then fair does.

To clarify though, what I don't think is clever is contractors (and I've seen them) who kick off at every little thing. I think this is unwise which is why I said its best to pick your battles and I still think this is the case.

Out of interest - if client wouldn't back down on the phone issue and insisted you had one what would you do? If it was me I think I'd do what Eirkur did and take it and not use it. If client kept on then I'd do what they want. Things like this are not worth losing a contract over....

I've known contractors who've refused to do the clients crappy H+S powerpoint training because they're not 'employees'. That went down well. Just do it FFS or client is going to take a dim view.

(In this case, it was a bit misguided because everyone on site had to do it regardless of employment status).

[MrMarkyMark]

Wow, you guys have been busy today

Thanks for the comments.

As far as I can see there's no obligation on me to use the phone, it's not allocated to me and I don't have it on my email sig. Plus it's a windows phone so I've no idea how to use it so I'm going to switch to MyCo phone.

Good call, obviously it's up you whether you wish to return it prior to completing the contract. I would, maybe using the fact I'm not familiar, don't want to carry two phones etc but that's up to you.

[PerfectStorm]

Re: client canteens: mine is open to visitors so I have no qualms using mine. Plus, materially, I can't see why them selling me a burger and chips at more than their cost price is doing them out of anything.

[TheBA]

Wow, you guys have been busy today

Thanks for the comments.

As far as I can see there's no obligation on me to use the phone, it's not allocated to me and I don't have it on my email sig. Plus it's a windows phone so I've no idea how to use it so I'm going to switch to MyCo phone.

[psychocandy]

I don't think any way I dealt with the issue, 5 times (!), could be deemed unreasonable. That's nothing unreasonable about not wanting to carry another phone, especially if you can still be reached.

You can say what you like, my CV says a different story, some of the biggest, most well known, clients out there, multiple extensions, repeat business etc.
How many times do you hear me moaning, on here, about childish, petty, rubbish that should have been nipped in the bud early doors?
Never.
If you think I make up anything I post on here, about how I conduct myself, in what I do, you are very sadly mistaken.

Anyway, the short of it, is you carry on doing things your way, I'll carry on doing things my way.

The difference will manifest itself in profit terms, or to put it simply, no JSA required here.

HTH

[MrMarkyMark]

You pair seem to argue the exact opposite no matter what is posted.

TOTALLY disagree. Its easy to come on a forum and say I dont let client say this, or do that, I'm important I am and client should know it.

Quite another when client comes up with a REASONABLE request and you tell him to do one - which I doubt in reality you would do. Yes fair enough tell client, umm no thanks tell you what I'll just use my own phone and see what they say.

BTW - I knew a contractor who had the biggest nackers you'd ever see. Would put some of you to shame. If it wasn't in the contract, he'd refuse, if they wanted a form filling in he'd refuse, if they asked him to help one of the perms out he'd refuse. Guess what - he didn't have to refuse the extension that was not offered.....

I don't think any way I dealt with the issue, 5 times (!), could be deemed unreasonable. That's nothing unreasonable about not wanting to carry another phone, especially if you can still be reached.

You can say what you like, my CV says a different story, some of the biggest, most well known, clients out there, multiple extensions, repeat business etc.
How many times do you hear me moaning, on here, about childish, petty, rubbish that should have been nipped in the bud early doors?
Never.
If you think I make up anything I post on here, about how I conduct myself, in what I do, you are very sadly mistaken.

Anyway, the short of it, is you carry on doing things your way, I'll carry on doing things my way.

The difference will manifest itself in profit terms, or to put it simply, no JSA required here.

HTH

[psychocandy]

I told the clients I don't need it, they said I did, so I took the phones and just put them away in a drawer under "my" desk at client's side, made no fuss about it and both clients never mentioned anything.

BTW: we also use client desks, toilets+ toilet paper, parking space, etc never heard anybody moan in relation to IR35 about that.
Only if you use a client's subsidized restaurant on a regular basis I read somewhere, there might be an IR35 indicator, food is rubbish most of the time anyway so no worry for me.

Right attitude in my book

[psychocandy]

I assume you're getting paid for this? I thought you were the forums strongest voice against doing stuff for clients above and beyond in case they take the piss :



So who's being an awkward tit for no reason now?


But you've changed your tune. You said just use it and you wouldnt give your personal number out. Now you are saying leave it home and not use it, which was exactly what I said.

Yes. Myself and the client have an arrangement in place for when I do remote work. Hour or so here and there is good will, but I dont let them take the p*ss by getting me to do for free. Otherwise, they can forget it and ask the permies to do (which they won't).

Not awkward at all. Just reminded them that I did not have to do this - I just did it to make everyones life easier. BUT if they wanted me to have a laptop I wont be taking it home every night so would be mostly unavailable for remote work. If I arrived by car no biggie but I walk 20 mins from train.

NO! The phone. If it makes client happy to give you a phone, take it. I can imagine a lot of clients would give out phones because its on their list of "things to give people". If you can get away with not using like Eirkur then just do what he did. If client insists its used then fair enough.

[TheFaQQer]

BTW: we also use client desks, toilets+ toilet paper, parking space, etc never heard anybody moan in relation to IR35 about that.

Probably because they all apply to everyone - permanent and temporary worker alike. If they weren't, and you were treated differently then that would have IR35 implications.

Only if you use a client's subsidized restaurant on a regular basis I read somewhere, there might be an IR35 indicator, food is rubbish most of the time anyway so no worry for me.

If the subsidy is for permanent staff, and not extended to all temporary workers as well, then it's an indicator of employment. When I was at Sun Life of Canada, they had two rates in the canteen - a staff rate and a non-staff rate, so I would pay the non-staff rate.