California, (December, 2012) – Now that almost half of all Americans own a Smartphone and roughly a quarter of all Americans own a tablet computer, it’s apparent that we are growing increasingly dependent on mobile handheld devices. Yet most companies haven’t outfitted their workforce with these gadgets, leading many of us to use personal devices at work. While this may make it easier to get the job done, there are some issues to consider, whether you’re a business owner or employee.
Is there written policy in place?
In an ideal situation, your company should have a written policy in place detailing expectations and procedures for using your personal device at work. These should include data and software control and ownership, as well as detail any liability you are exposing yourself to and what the company expects to happen to data or programs on your device at the end of your employment.
However, due to the rapid rise of popularity of these devices, many company’s human resources haven’t kept pace with technology. If you’re considering using your personal device at work and there isn’t a clear corporate policy in place, here’s what to keep in mind.
Consider the costs
Consider potential costs you may bear in order to make your gadget work compatible. Will your company reimburse you for software that you acquire for work use? If so, do you own the software or does it belong to the company? While your boss footing the bill for your tablet’s productivity programs may seem like a sweet deal, having to uninstall them and ditch any data you’ve used them to create at your employer’s behest will likely be a hassle.
In addition to data or cell usage fees, using your device on the job is sure to lead to additional wear and tear. Should your phone or tablet get damaged while using it for work, it’s unlikely your employer will cover its replacement.
If Employment is severed, then what?
Determine what you’ll be expected to provide upon termination of your employment. If your employer expects that all company-related data (such as emails, contacts or documents) be purged, be careful not to merge work files with personal. Look for applications that allow you to segregate your work files from your personal data or, better yet, utilize a cloud storage solution (there are many options, including Dropbox and Google Drive) and refrain from storing any work-related data on your device.
What is your personal liability?
If you must store company data on your phone or tablet, be sure to protect yourself from potential liability should it be lost or stolen. Establish a login password to deter a passerby from gaining easy access to your device. Install a mobile security application such as Lookout Mobile Security (https://www.lookout.com/). For $2.99/month or $29.99/year, the premium version allows you to remotely passcode lock and/or wipes data should your gadget go missing. Apple device users should activate the free “Find My iPhone” or “Find My iPad” service in order to gain the remote lock and wipe functionality on their iOS gadgets.
Using your cell phone to communicate with clients can lead to muddy waters once those clients begin to call you directly on your cell (either because you provide them with the number or it appears on their caller-ID). Your employer may expect that any number provided to a client be forfeited upon termination. Protect yourself from hassle by blocking your number from appearing on outgoing calls. If you must have work clients call you back on your cell, consider setting up a voice over IP (VOIP) account that forwards to your cell using a service such as Google Voice Mobile (http://www.google.com/mobile/voice/, free) or Skype (www.skype.com, $4.99/month). You can use the account to call out as well, though using a 3rd party application to place calls on your cell can be a hassle.
About The Author: Andrea Eldridge is CEO and co-founder of Nerds On Call, a computer repair company that specializes in on-site and online service for homes and businesses. Andrea is the writer of a weekly column, Nerd Chick Adventures in The Record Searchlight. She prepares TV segments for and appears regularly on CBS, CW and FOX on shows such as Good Day Sacramento, More Good Day Portland, and CBS 13 News, offering viewers technology and lifestyle tips. See Andrea in action at callnerds.com/andrea/.
About Nerds On Call: Established in a spare room in Redding, Calif., in March 2004, Nerds On Call offers on-site computer and laptop repair services to consumers and businesses. Nerds On Call provides trouble-shooting for PCs and Macs, home and office networks, printers, iPods® and MP3 players, handheld devices and cell phones, home theaters and game systems, and virtually every other form of digital entertainment. In 2009, 2010, & 2011 the company was named to Inc. magazine’s list of 5000 fastest growing private companies. With 7 locations across California and Oregon, Nerds On Call serves more than 40,000 satisfied customers per year. For more information, visit callnerds.com or call 1-800-919-NERD.
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