pesonal cell phone use for company calls in New Mexico New Mexico

[wrenchheadk]

Good Morning...

First time poster with a question...I work for an automotive franchise here in New Mexico. As a manager I work 6 days a week, approximately 14 hours a day, and now my employer is demanding that we forward the shop phones to our personal cell phones after hours. Including Sunday our only day to be with our family.

He states that whatever amount of time we "go over" with our minutes will be reimbursed by the company. He has threatened termination if we don't comply.

Is this possible. Can they manipulate our lives in this fashion. Holding my job at ransom if I don't Forward work to my personal life?

Thank You for any help.

[Eng&SafetyMGR]

Short answer is YES he can require this. Not necessarily the best way to handle it but LEGAL none the less.

The only possible issue might be compensation for time spent taking these calls. You state you are a Manager which I'm going to guess is implying that you're exempt. If that is true you would not be due any extra compensation.

[tizzo]

I have a related question. I am in Minnesota.

My manager is requiring me to use a personal cell phone for business calls, I was told that I would be reimbursed for any overages. However, my plan has rollover, and minutes I don't use remain available month to month. I have built up a reserve of minutes so I will not be going over anytime soon.

I searched and could not find a standard reimbursement per minute used on business for the state of Minnesota.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[Pattymd]

That's because there isn't one. Minnesota is not one of the two states that requires employees be reimbursed for business expenses. Accordingly, if your employer chooses to do this, it's at whatever rate they want to assign.