Working from home help

evacarenz581

My employer (a call centre) had us all pick up our PC’s and take home to be able to work from home. My broadband has since went down and been told i need to wait until beginning of May for an engineer. My work have now told me as this is “my fault” and not theirs, i have 2 options. 1) use all my holiday allowance to cover the period i cannot work, or 2) take the entire time as unpaid leave. Has anyone came across this before? Just wondering if this is something they are allowed to put in place as i cant help there being an issue in my home broadband. Many thanks

Jeremy535897

What has failed? Is it the line itself? You can replace the router if that's the issue.

evacarenz581

I tried another router but apparently theres some issue at the exchange so nothing i can fix, needs an openreach engineer to fix

Jeremy535897

If you can't use mobile services either you are a bit stuck. It's too short a period to be furloughed even if they were prepared to. There's not really anything else you can do.

kremlinbot

Can you try getting a mobile internet usb dongle, or using your data on your phone.

sharpe106

Probably not much you can do. For a week or two holiday is it worth trying to fight? Even if you win most companies can be pretty vindictive.   

Illusionary

How localised is the problem with your broadband? Are your neighbours having the same problem? If a mobile-based solution doesn't work, perhaps you could ask a neighbour if they would let you share their wi-fi connection as an interim solution.

Hermann

Check and see if 3 mobile broadband is available to you, cheap simple no landline and you even can get a router that provides an ethernet connection if that's essential for your work connection.

evacarenz581

Thanks guys. Its not so much getting the internet working that im querying, ive left that in the hands of my supplier so out my control. Was looking for advice on if my company were allowed to be doing that. Given the fact, ive been told to work from home, theyve supplied other people who didnt have internet at home a dongle but ive been told i “dont qualify” for one because i did originally have internet, and even then the dongles arent working very well for those who have them.
If i use all my holidays now, im left with nothing until next year to take a break after all this is over with. I just dont think the company should be able to force me into using holidays, or go 2 weeks on zero pay. Thanks

[Deleted User]

 Of course they can. You get paid to work, if you're not working you're either on leave or unpaid 

unholyangel

Why can't they fix it until the start of may if the issue is at the exchange? I'd be questioning that. Especially because being an exchange issue, other people will be affected.

Your boss sounds like they might be thinking your'e trying it on. Perhaps offer to show them your bill when it comes through, with a discount for services not provided. No, you don't have to but sometimes being transparent & open when you don't have to, can really work in your favour. If your contract doesn't make you responsible for providing equipment then gently remind your employer of this.