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Ex employer and phone contract
dilemma10
Posts: 245 Forumite
Hi all,
A week ago I left my old hell hole job but since then they've been writing and calling me regarding a phone contract.
Basically since 2006 I have been with Orange and upgraded numerous times. In 2010 my work requested I upgrade/ get a contract that they would pay a flat rate for and anything above that I would pay for out of my own pocket.
This phone was in my name and bills were sent to my address. However when I left they demanded the phone back and to change the phone contract into their name. I adhered.
However I used that phone abroad about a month before quitting and drummed up some large bills for which I cleared about 2/3s and told Orange I would pay the remainder soonish.
Since leaving the job their PA woman keeps badgering me to pay! While even Orange aren't and no bar is going on the phone. I have called Orange numerous times and they have no issues with my payment schedule.
Throughout employment that PA would sometimes use her credit card to pay my bill but at one point did not pay for two months (affecting my credit rating!) but at other times I would pay in cash and they'd reimburse me. So it is one rule for them and another for me!
What do I do with this jumped up employer who have even written letters about "unauthorised use of phone abroad" when the phone is in my name!!!! Obviously I am going to pay but I don't know why they are being so unreasonable - especially when technically it is my phone!
A week ago I left my old hell hole job but since then they've been writing and calling me regarding a phone contract.
Basically since 2006 I have been with Orange and upgraded numerous times. In 2010 my work requested I upgrade/ get a contract that they would pay a flat rate for and anything above that I would pay for out of my own pocket.
This phone was in my name and bills were sent to my address. However when I left they demanded the phone back and to change the phone contract into their name. I adhered.
However I used that phone abroad about a month before quitting and drummed up some large bills for which I cleared about 2/3s and told Orange I would pay the remainder soonish.
Since leaving the job their PA woman keeps badgering me to pay! While even Orange aren't and no bar is going on the phone. I have called Orange numerous times and they have no issues with my payment schedule.
Throughout employment that PA would sometimes use her credit card to pay my bill but at one point did not pay for two months (affecting my credit rating!) but at other times I would pay in cash and they'd reimburse me. So it is one rule for them and another for me!
What do I do with this jumped up employer who have even written letters about "unauthorised use of phone abroad" when the phone is in my name!!!! Obviously I am going to pay but I don't know why they are being so unreasonable - especially when technically it is my phone!
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Comments
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If the employer required you to have a mobile, they should have provided one.
You should have been assertive and informed them of this, avoiding the situation you now find yourself in. As you have indicated, the phone is yours so why on earth did you hand over your property - was it in the hope they would waive any outstanding fees?
Why would you jepordise your credit rating over an item the employer should have supplied from the outset?
Or am i missing something?Don’t be a can’t, be a can.0 -
!!!!!! IGNORE THEM how many times do you have to be told?
make sure it is paid before they take over the contract.
Hope you did not give them the sim since you are liable for their usage untill the transfer.
Why did you not just cancel the contract as sugested on previous threads on the same issue?0 -
If the employer required you to have a mobile, they should have provided one.
You should have been assertive and informed them of this, avoiding the situation you now find yourself in. As you have indicated, the phone is yours so why on earth did you hand over your property - was it in the hope they would waive any outstanding fees?
Why would you jepordise your credit rating over an item the employer should have supplied from the outset?
Or am i missing something?
Not missing anything at all. It is ludicrous but it is so ludicrous I think I am going crazy and not understanding how best to now challenge them - ie make them leave me alone and let me pay the bill when I want to - which Orange are fine about!0 -
getmore4less wrote: »!!!!!! IGNORE THEM how many times do you have to be told?
make sure it is paid before they take over the contract.
Hope you did not give them the sim since you are liable for their usage untill the transfer.
Why did you not just cancel the contract as sugested on previous threads on the same issue?
Thanks I do know what you mean. To be honest - I sound immature but they petrify me! Also I was not sure whether the fact they "paid" the monthly bill per month actually gave them any legal grounding. Orange confirmed not.
Shall I just ignore them as it is in my name until 24th August.0 -
How is that the phone is in your name and the bills come to your address but your previous employer knows what the outstanding balance is?
If Orange say the phone is yours, have you ensured that the phone cannot be used until you are no longer responsible for it?0 -
anamenottaken wrote: »How is that the phone is in your name and the bills come to your address but your previous employer knows what the outstanding balance is?
If Orange say the phone is yours, have you ensured that the phone cannot be used until you are no longer responsible for it?
The PA woman requested authority to read all bills/charges so I added her as a user.
No the ex colleague has the phone and is using it while it is in my name until the account changes over at the end of August!
It is stupid but they threatened me with grievances/disciplinaries unless I gave it to them.0 -
You need to polish your man vegtables and 1. cancel the PA as a user and 2. Stop any further use of the phone in your name. End of.0
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blessings3 wrote: »You need to polish your man vegtables and 1. cancel the PA as a user and 2. Stop any further use of the phone in your name. End of.
Would if were a man haha...
They can't send the police round can they?
I'm so confused as to why they are so out of touch?0 -
The PA woman requested authority to read all bills/charges so I added her as a user.
No the ex colleague has the phone and is using it while it is in my name until the account changes over at the end of August!
It is stupid but they threatened me with grievances/disciplinaries unless I gave it to them.
Why? So he can run up huge bills and you have to pay for it?
You were advised NOT to hand over your phone - until the account was no longer yours - not that the account should ever have been signed over to them in the first place.
This WILL cost you!
If I were you I'd cancel the account rather than have it change to someone else's name; can cancel the SIM card at the same time. What a ridiculous situation.If you haven't got it - please don't flaunt it. TIA.0 -
... but they petrify me!
Don't let them bully you - after all what can they do? This isn't a police matter, even if they were in the right (which it sounds like they're not, having taken your property) - the police don't get 'sent' by anyone, they're busy with their own work. Even if (and this isn't the case) they did come, they are neutral. Your old company are unable to come and beat you up, you might get an idiot trying to shout at you but they can be ignored (or if they carry on, you talk harrassment, they will stop). There is nothing the company can do to you, do not be afraid of them just because they seem full of rage and steam!!0
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