NP decided to give me “work phone” 9 months into our contract

[Anonymous]

Very confused about this one

I had a talk with the parents today about my schedule, and next thing I know they were talking about a million other things and that took me off guard.

One of the things is that they decided to give me a “work phone”.
Citing they don’t like that I take pictures with my phone, they would prefer me using their phone, but I can text myself pictures if I want to my phone?!?!?! Now, I’m totally ok with this (although I’ve never had an issue with that in almost 20 years). Why I’m confused is is just that it happens now after 9 months of working for them.

Was just hoping to see if other people had the same problem with their family, or what to think of it? I work 10-12h days, zero minute breaks, don’t eat lunch, I’m very busy, only people I text is the parents (pictures, updates, questions). Never ever speak on the phone and barely get a chance to say hi to my mom and boyfriend. So that rubs me a little the wrong way. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Never heard of this. I’d stop taking pics and sending them though. Maybe take a couple a week at home or something. Don’t take the phone out with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never heard of this. I’d stop taking pics and sending them though. Maybe take a couple a week at home or something. Don’t take the phone out with you.

It sounds like the parents expect that they would be able to call/text OP on that phone if she is out with her charge. It's not going to go over well if the parents are trying to reach OP for an hour+ but can't because OP and the child are at the park and left the phone at the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never heard of this. I’d stop taking pics and sending them though. Maybe take a couple a week at home or something. Don’t take the phone out with you.

It sounds like the parents expect that they would be able to call/text OP on that phone if she is out with her charge. It's not going to go over well if the parents are trying to reach OP for an hour+ but can't because OP and the child are at the park and left the phone at the house.

Then they can call her on her cell phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never heard of this. I’d stop taking pics and sending them though. Maybe take a couple a week at home or something. Don’t take the phone out with you.

It sounds like the parents expect that they would be able to call/text OP on that phone if she is out with her charge. It's not going to go over well if the parents are trying to reach OP for an hour+ but can't because OP and the child are at the park and left the phone at the house.

Then they can call her on her cell phone.

They made it a point to tell her they don't want to. If they feel strongly enough about it, they'll just fire OP.

[Anonymous]

pp at 13:07 back again

It's not an unreasonable thing. The parents have probably enabled a tracking app on the phone and it's reasonable for them to want to track where their kid is. They understand it's unreasonable to ask to track the nanny on the nanny's personal phone so they are providing the phone for during work hours.

[Anonymous]

yeah id just stop all pictures or if they want them only take them at the house. they left
the opening by claiming it is just about the pictures.

dont take it out w you or do anything else on it. and tell them you should still be called on yours or else you might probably not hear it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yeah id just stop all pictures or if they want them only take them at the house. they left
the opening by claiming it is just about the pictures.

dont take it out w you or do anything else on it. and tell them you should still be called on yours or else you might probably not hear it

Why?

[Anonymous]

It wasn’t agreed to in the beginning so I wouldn’t use it.
I would stop taking and sending pics on my phone though if that’s what the issue is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yeah id just stop all pictures or if they want them only take them at the house. they left
the opening by claiming it is just about the pictures.

dont take it out w you or do anything else on it. and tell them you should still be called on yours or else you might probably not hear it

Why?

I’m not the PP but I don’t want to carry 2 phones. Got to make sure it’s charged, don’t know what kind of software is on it etc… nope

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yeah id just stop all pictures or if they want them only take them at the house. they left
the opening by claiming it is just about the pictures.

dont take it out w you or do anything else on it. and tell them you should still be called on yours or else you might probably not hear it

Why?

I’m not the PP but I don’t want to carry 2 phones. Got to make sure it’s charged, don’t know what kind of software is on it etc… nope

Omg you had to walk uphill 2 miles both ways to charge your phone! It's not really complicated, it will take what 10 sec to plug to charger before you leave at the end of your work day, next day when you arrive another 10 sec to remove phone from charger. Its very common for people to be issued work devices - phones, laptops etc. The phone is not for your personal use so don't browse your personal stuff, its strictly for work related communication. And phones nowadays are pretty lightweight people carry lot more stuff in their handbags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:pp at 13:07 back again

It's not an unreasonable thing. The parents have probably enabled a tracking app on the phone and it's reasonable for them to want to track where their kid is. They understand it's unreasonable to ask to track the nanny on the nanny's personal phone so they are providing the phone for during work hours.

This was my first thought upon reading your post OP.

I strongly suspect the parents have a tracking device on your new phone which personally would not sit well w/me…..after nine mos. already on the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yeah id just stop all pictures or if they want them only take them at the house. they left
the opening by claiming it is just about the pictures.

dont take it out w you or do anything else on it. and tell them you should still be called on yours or else you might probably not hear it

Why?

I’m not the PP but I don’t want to carry 2 phones. Got to make sure it’s charged, don’t know what kind of software is on it etc… nope

Omg you had to walk uphill 2 miles both ways to charge your phone! It's not really complicated, it will take what 10 sec to plug to charger before you leave at the end of your work day, next day when you arrive another 10 sec to remove phone from charger. Its very common for people to be issued work devices - phones, laptops etc. The phone is not for your personal use so don't browse your personal stuff, its strictly for work related communication. And phones nowadays are pretty lightweight people carry lot more stuff in their handbags.

I agree that it would be an added responsibility to make sure any extra phone was always on me while working plus making sure it is completely charged as well!

I think it is really unfair of your bosses to have you do all of this almost a year into your job!

[Anonymous]

They’re trying to track you. Me personally I’d decline

[Anonymous]

OP here
Thank you SP much for all replies

I got the new phone this morning

Really weird bc they added my phone number to the group chat with mom and dad so that I can send myself pictures

I’m strongly thinking they want to track me and discourage me from using my phone for personal messaging

The funny part

I’m not allowed to leave the house with the kids hahahahaha

So it has to be about my phone

I have a family in Europe and a dog at home
I will not just stop using my phone