forced alteration of personal property

[damien1794]

My company is forcing employees to install applications on personal phones, or be terminated. Can anyone give me any type of advice or help . It seems to me it would be illegal to force an employee to alter personal property, but I have no clue as to the actual laws.

 

[ecmst12]

You failed to provide the name of your state, but I strongly suspect there is no law in any state in the country which would forbid this practice.

 

[LdiJ]

You failed to provide the name of your state, but I strongly suspect there is no law in any state in the country which would forbid this practice.

I think that the specific app itself might make a difference...again, depending on the state.

 

[damien1794]

Sorry about that. I'm actually in Tn.
So y'all think it would be legal for them to force employees to do this?

 

[LdiJ]

Sorry about that. I'm actually in Tn.
So y'all think it would be legal for them to force employees to do this?

Probably...I think that it depends on the app. If the app does not invade your privacy or do anything illegal they can force the employees to install it as a condition of employment.

 

[damien1794]

In downloading the app you have to agree to let it access your pictures, modify your contacts and none of this pertains to work.
I'm really scratching my head here, can't for the life of me figure how the law would allow an employer control over personal property

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

What is the purpose of the app?

 

[single317dad]

Sorry about that. I'm actually in Tn.
So y'all think it would be legal for them to force employees to do this?

If a person didn't have a cell phone, then they couldn't be forced to do anything to said phone. Wink wink.

Personally, if an employer wanted unfettered access to my personal phone, they could take a long walk off a short pier. If someone wants me to carry a device they control, they can provide that device and pay the bill for it; otherwise, I'll seek employment elsewhere.

And, really, that's the rub isn't it? You can refuse any demand your employer makes; there's no way they can force you to do anything. Just be prepared to reenter the job market after your refusal.

What is the purpose of the app?

Just a wild guess out of left field here, but Salesforce is the primary provider of customized apps for employees. Personally, I've never liked their apps (nor their CEO) and I was really sad to see ExactTarget swallowed up by them.

 

[commentator]

In our fair state, not only can you be fired for refusing to do what the employer asks, you probably will not be approved for unemployment benefits after this firing. So you're out of the job, and out of the princely sum of $275 max a week for 26 weeks after you are terminated. But it's your choice, of course.

 

[Silverplum]

In downloading the app you have to agree to let it access your pictures, modify your contacts and none of this pertains to work.
I'm really scratching my head here, can't for the life of me figure how the law would allow an employer control over personal property

Pretty much every app I download onto my phone and/or tablet demands the same. Why does Angry Birds want to see my grandkids?