Business & personal use

[SoCaliGal]

I just started a new job and I'm getting a Tour 9630 that the company is paying for. I can port my existing cell number to this new Tour, but the company is insisting that I transfer liability of the number to them. I've asked and have been told that I can't get the number back if I leave the company.

So, my question is - do most people have 2 cells? One for personal use and another for business? It makes no sense to me to have to carry 2 cell phones everywhere I go. I've had my existing number for over 10 years and have used it personally and professionally - and it's my only phone - everyone calls me on it. My other company did not pay directly for my service, rather I would submit it on my expense report and be reimbursed. This is not an option at my new company. They will not reimburse you for cell service. I am required to have a phone and they will pay for it.

I don't know how I feel about losing my personal number should I leave the company - but I also don't want to have to carry around 2 phones.

Has anyone else faced this dilemma? Have you been successful in getting your number back if you left the company?

Thanks for any and all feedback.

[Tiassa]

If you have had that number for a long time I'd say don't give it to the company. get a company sponsored number and if you want forward it to the BB if you don't want to carry 2 phones. Also, if you want to be "off the job" you cna take your personal phone and "un forward" it so that your friends (not co-workers) can call you.

[dajogejr]

I went through this for about 4 years, had my own phone and a company issued phone (I go on call 2 weeks on, 2 off, but it seems like I'm always on call).
My company is different...they will allow me to do a change of ownership on my phone should we part ways. I just have to be financially responsible for it....

I would forward the calls from your work phone to your own personal phone.
Double check with your employer if you can do a change of financial ownership for that phone and that number...if no is still the answer, forward on...

[dchawk81]

I would never port my own number to a company phone. I would maintain my own line.

[MBBlackberryLover]

I was lucky enough to have gotten my number back when I left the company (after I ported it over to them when I started). After that experience, I agree. I would never hand over my number to a company. I have had it too long. Some companies will reimburse you part or all of your wireless costs if you choose to maintain your own. I would ask about that.

[dchawk81]

Originally Posted by MBBlackberryLover

Some companies will reimburse you part or all of your wireless costs if you choose to maintain your own. I would ask about that.

OP said that's not an option.

[ADGrant]

I carry two phones (a company 8320 on T-Mobile and a personal Bold 9700 on AT&T). I would never transfer my personal cellphone to an employer and receiving my personal email on the work device is not permitted so for me carrying one BB is not an option.

If I could get personal email on my work BB, I would consider just fowarding the personal number to the work cell. Only problem with that is caller id. People would eventually just call the work number.

[deRusett]

I Carry 2 phones as well,
you really need to get a secondphone for the company.
or you could look into google voice

[fred845]

I carry two phones,but not given my personal number to my employer.The policy should be that we follow our line which is very personal to us and it should not be shared with our employer or business.

[crackie]

I carry 3 Blackberrys, 1 8350i for my first job that they pay for, another 8350i that i use for my other job and personal use, 95% of the time people use my 2nd blackberry to contact me and i have a 8330 curve that i only have a few very close friends and family in that i use when i shut off the other 2 blackberrys and dont want to be bothered by everyone. its a pain to carry all 3 of them but it works for me.

[sam2500]

Mine is company owned but the bucket of minutes is so large they don't care how many minutes you use.

[GlenB]

I guess it depends how attached you are to your mobile number, but having had the same number for 10 years I wouldnt part with it - either maintain a second device, use call forwarding or see whether the company/mobile network/device supports line 2.

[textjohn]

Hello I'm new here, I think its perfectly fine to be carrying to phones especially 2 blackberry around. Everyone I know from Lawyers, Politicians and Businessman does the same thing. I'm not sure why but its always good to know that your physically not mixing personal phone with business phone plus look at the bright side your a girl, you must have one of those cool handbags which have space to carry two blackberry, its hard for guys because it would look sort of bulky in the pants and carrying 2 black brick going around is not the most nicest thing especially when busy. I probably think you should go ahead and get two phones and have a wonderful life not complicating work and pleasure.

[duddy23b]

I tried to convert my personal number until I was told by the company I would not get back my personal phone number, they issued me a BB for work use. So now I have 2 phones to carry around, prior to this I just gave my personal phone number out, company paid bill, but they wanted full autonomy of phone service, now they have it Oh well nothing I can do about want to keep my job.

[RSS3300]

Last year my company wanted me to get a company liable BB and they have the same requirement on the number. For the 15 years I had worked for them I just expensed my cell phone with the same number. But the BB was gonna have to be a corp liable phone to be on their BES and if I wanted to keep same number I was told it stays with them if I left the company.

I thought about it and I figured they could keep the number if I left. When I leave I don't want anyone calling me any way. What's the big deal with getting a new number? I don't know anybody's number except my wife's.

With today's technology soon as you call someone they have your number. Just tell them to save it.

Man, I'm not carrying two or three phones around. Company gives me a car. I'm not buying another car for personal use.

Well anyway, that's just way I am. Do what you want. For right now you still have a little freedom to do what you want.