Boss threatens to fire new employee for refusing to use their personal phone for work: 'HR is on the phone for you'

JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor

Aug 18, 2026 4:30 PM EDT

Would you use your personal phone for business?

Sometimes your job asks you to do things that you're not comfortable with. There are often sacrifices you have to make in order to keep your position and to maintain your good standing in the office. But you don't have to completely go against everything you believe in just to have a paycheck. You're allowed to stand up for yourself when you need to. You don't have to bend to every rule in your rulebook just in order to maintain a steady income. But that's what this worker was up against when they started at a new job. They shared their story on the antiwork subreddit, where commenters gave them advice.

You don't always know what a new job is going to entail until you get there. You may be able to try and suss it out in the interview process, but you never truly know until your boots are on the ground. And then it might make you feel like you're too late to make any big changes. You're so far in that the only way out is through. That's what happened to this worker, who found out a little too late that his workplace was going to disrespect his boundaries. He thought that his workplace's policy was unfair, and asked to be exempt from it. This didn't seem like it was going to happen, though. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

*_{Model portrayal.}*

*Two businessmen have an argument about documents at a table*

Almost fired over company needing to use my phone.

Just got a new job in ND. Today was actually my first day. I get in, get the tour, meet the team, and first thing I do is meet with IT to set up my computer. Pretty normal stuff.

First thing IT says is "we'll need you to download an app and use your personal cell number for an authenticator that you'll use to log into everything." This was never mentioned in the job description nor during the interview process. I said "I'm not comfortable using my personal device for work. Is there an

alternative?" I was told by IT, no. A phone must be used. I said I'm still not comfortable using mine, can the company provide me a phone or compensate me for the use of mine?

40 min later, after not being able to set up anything, my new manager hands me their phone and says "HR is on the phone for you." HR says there is no other way than a phone app, they will NOT be providing a cell phone as I work on location, AND THEN SAY "if this is happening now, maybe this isn't a good fit and we

via Crowscream

I didn't know what to say. I said "I just left a job to work here and now you are wanting to fire me because I don't want to use my phone for work purposes?" "We aren't firing you, you just don't seem like a good fit." They eventually mentioned after saying a version of "maybe we should just let you go" a few more times

that they would agree to a $2.5 dollar stipend a month for the "minimal" use of my phone that will happen. I could take it or leave it, but they will need a for sure yes or no to this arrangement because they don't want to have this conversation again in the future and will not accept a maybe.

After a little more stunned silence I agreed, what choice did I have, and hung up. I continued my FIRST DAY until the end, but I'm left shocked, hurt, and frustrated that they can even treat a new employee like that over my OWN phone.

There should be a healthy divide between work life and personal life. Does that include having a work phone and a personal phone? If you have to use your phone for work, they should probably pay for it. Phones aren't free, after all, and you certainly don't want to have to spend money to do your job. But that's what was happening here when this employee started a new job. Keep reading to see what happened here and what you think about it.