Comments on: Can an employer force employees to have internet access at home so they are accessible 24/7? http://www.avalanwireless.biz/can-an-employer-force-employees-to-have-internet-access-at-home-so-they-are-accessible-247 Just another WordPress weblog Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:36:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Deeda http://www.avalanwireless.biz/can-an-employer-force-employees-to-have-internet-access-at-home-so-they-are-accessible-247/comment-page-1#comment-15550 Deeda Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:12:57 +0000 http://www.avalanwireless.biz/can-an-employer-force-employees-to-have-internet-access-at-home-so-they-are-accessible-247#comment-15550 Legally they cannot expect you to put out your own money for anything in connection with business, which would mean that if they want you to have access at home they are responsible for providing it. Legally they cannot expect you to put out your own money for anything in connection with business, which would mean that if they want you to have access at home they are responsible for providing it.

]]> By: wizjp http://www.avalanwireless.biz/can-an-employer-force-employees-to-have-internet-access-at-home-so-they-are-accessible-247/comment-page-1#comment-15551 wizjp Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:12:57 +0000 http://www.avalanwireless.biz/can-an-employer-force-employees-to-have-internet-access-at-home-so-they-are-accessible-247#comment-15551 Fair? Probably not and in some states it might be a violation of "on call" employee rules. But in the real world, most people have internet access, and as employment is at will in the US, I can't imagine many people want to make much of an issue out of it. What are you supposed to do if you don't own a computer? Something here just doesn't sound right. Fair? Probably not and in some states it might be a violation of "on call" employee rules.

But in the real world, most people have internet access, and as employment is at will in the US, I can’t imagine many people want to make much of an issue out of it.

What are you supposed to do if you don’t own a computer?

Something here just doesn’t sound right.

]]> By: Bibigirl http://www.avalanwireless.biz/can-an-employer-force-employees-to-have-internet-access-at-home-so-they-are-accessible-247/comment-page-1#comment-15552 Bibigirl Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:12:57 +0000 http://www.avalanwireless.biz/can-an-employer-force-employees-to-have-internet-access-at-home-so-they-are-accessible-247#comment-15552 That's ridiculous but if you are a salaried employee they can expect you to be "on call" 24/7. Tell her your answering service is on on your phone. That’s ridiculous but if you are a salaried employee they can expect you to be "on call" 24/7. Tell her your answering service is on on your phone.

]]> By: Chimera http://www.avalanwireless.biz/can-an-employer-force-employees-to-have-internet-access-at-home-so-they-are-accessible-247/comment-page-1#comment-15553 Chimera Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:12:57 +0000 http://www.avalanwireless.biz/can-an-employer-force-employees-to-have-internet-access-at-home-so-they-are-accessible-247#comment-15553 If your contract or whatever document which has a job description specifically states working hours, for example 9-5, 5 days a week, then no. By all means, your company legally cannot undertake such action as your time outside of the working hours is yours to spend how you see fit, and that includes remaining unaccessible if you see fit. That is the only case in which you can not only refuse to do as they say, but take legal action against them. Otherwise, it would highly depend; if the job description or a signed contract includes clauses on being accessible, then yes they have the right to. Typically, whether or not they are obliged to pay for your means of accessibility depends on the statements in the contract-- very much like how some jobs require that you own a car and a driver's license for a certain state, and obviously they will not be buying you a car or helping you with the license. If there is no paper contract, make sure that you voice your opinion regarding the fact that your time outside of work hours can be spent as you see fit. The fact that employees are underpaid is generally a company policy thing-- some companies pay better than others, and that does not hold them legally liable. And in my opinion, access to internet is so commonplace nowadays that they are not asking for anything perposterious, it's something most people are simply assumed to have, and they are not obliged to pay for it simply because the use of your internet access would be 1% accessibility to your company's network, and 99% personal. So covering for your internet access and being underpaid are not exactly a tangile issue, as much as whether they legally have the right to make you do anything work-related outside of working hours, whether that entails overtime and whatnot. If your contract or whatever document which has a job description specifically states working hours, for example 9-5, 5 days a week, then no. By all means, your company legally cannot undertake such action as your time outside of the working hours is yours to spend how you see fit, and that includes remaining unaccessible if you see fit. That is the only case in which you can not only refuse to do as they say, but take legal action against them.

Otherwise, it would highly depend; if the job description or a signed contract includes clauses on being accessible, then yes they have the right to. Typically, whether or not they are obliged to pay for your means of accessibility depends on the statements in the contract– very much like how some jobs require that you own a car and a driver’s license for a certain state, and obviously they will not be buying you a car or helping you with the license.

If there is no paper contract, make sure that you voice your opinion regarding the fact that your time outside of work hours can be spent as you see fit.

The fact that employees are underpaid is generally a company policy thing– some companies pay better than others, and that does not hold them legally liable. And in my opinion, access to internet is so commonplace nowadays that they are not asking for anything perposterious, it’s something most people are simply assumed to have, and they are not obliged to pay for it simply because the use of your internet access would be 1% accessibility to your company’s network, and 99% personal. So covering for your internet access and being underpaid are not exactly a tangile issue, as much as whether they legally have the right to make you do anything work-related outside of working hours, whether that entails overtime and whatnot.

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