Start times and logging in ,call center

[redstar]

Hi , if I have to start work and be ready to take calls naturally I have to log in .This can take anything from around 15 minutes to half an hour each morning which is unpaid .Is there any legal requirement regarding time unpaid to log in to required systems as it can add up to being in work and extra 8 hours unpaid a month, plus we have to connect , then use our own mobiles to hotspot to rest system clocks and then connect to hardwire , using our mobile data .This is a multi national huge global company making us use our personal mobiles due to their system requirements

[ULA]

Firstly whatever job you do there is likely to be some preparation to do in order for you to be ready to work at the start of your contractual work day.

In terms of the issues you have logging into the systems and using your personal mobile then I would need more information such as whether you work from home or an office. If the former what were you told at interview would be the equipment provided by the company to perform your role etc.

[redstar]

Thanks Ula , yes some log in time but 15 minutes to half an hour daily unpaid seems excessive it's a hybrid role so on office log in times the same and using personal mobiles as hotspots to reset system to log in and other times on occasion in office having to hotspot because their internet doesn't connect to their systems, using personal mobile data , it's a financial company as well

[ULA]

Have you raised this situation with either your manager or HR?

[redstar]

We have been told not to create an issue and they ignore anyone who had asked hence trying to find out if there is something more concrete so I can raise it girmally

[ULA]

Firstly, your employer should be providing all the equipment necessary to do your role and you should certainly not have to use your own equipment i.e. your personal mobile phone to connect to company systems.

Does this affect more than just you? If so then you could raise this as a group of people who are adversely affected by the company not providing the necessary equipment in order for you to perform your jobs.

Are you in a union, if so then I would suggest that you raise this with them and then they could take it forward with the company on your behalf. If not then it would need to be raised as a grievance.

[ULA]

I have closed your other thread for new posts to avoid an confusion.

What is considered to be a reasonable amount of time to prepare for work in the morning is not fixed in law, so I cannot give you a legal definition that you can use formally with your employer. However it will be all about what is a fair and reasonable time for an employer to expect an employee to be setting up systems prior to the start of their contractual day. I would suggest this should be no more than up to 15/20 mins as an average. Neither is there an explicit duty for an employer to provide an employee with the necessary equipment to perform their job. However, there is an implied duty to provide a safe workplace which includes ensuring that employees have the necessary tools and equipment to do their job safely and effectively. This duty is part of the employer's obligation to provide a safe working environment and is reflected in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 although it is aimed at the safety of the work environment.

I do have a related concern given the use of personal mobile phones and whether there may be any GDPR issues. Employers in the UK are legally required to manage personal data on personal devices used for work, including mobile phones. While the GDPR do not provide an outright ban on using personal mobile phones for business purposes, it does set limits on their use. The aim of limiting personal mobile use is to achieve two things:

1. Avoiding individual personal data getting into the hands of third parties; and
2. Ensuring customer data and third-party information cannot be stored and saved by staff outside your computer system.

I am wondering if the GDPR issue and the use of personal mobiles for hot-spotting from personal mobile data is maybe of more use to you as the lead issue and then bring in the other two points, if you want to raise this formally