A Worker’s Mobile Can Lead to Loss of Customers

By
John Kafrouni
15 Sep 2011
5
min read

Departing Workers and Mobile Phones

In many businesses, mobile phones have become an essential tool to any employee or contractor who deals with customers. Often, the business owner allows the employee to use their mobile phone but will re-imburse them for all or some of the cost. Whilst useful during the term of employment, when that employee departs your business, customers can often continue to contact that former employee on their mobile phone. This provides an unnecessary opportunity for a customer to arrange alternative products or services through that departing employee or their new employer.

When engaging an employee and the risk of this occuring is great, consider (as part of your employment contract) giving the employee a business mobile phone to be used for business purposes. Whether they pay the costs or you pay the costs (depending on whether they are allowed to have personal use) is negotiable. The important thing is, when they leave, you can ask for the phone back or can cancel the contract or have the number assigned or diverted to another phone – preferably the person who will now be handling the departing employee’s former customers. This is a little thing you can do at the start that can make a big difference at the end.

Joe Kafrouni, Legal Practitioner Director, Kafrouni Lawyers

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The information provided by Kafrouni Lawyers is intended to provide general information and is not legal advice or a substitute for it. Business people should always consult their own legal advisors to discuss their particular circumstances. Kafrouni Lawyers makes no warranties or representations regarding the information and exclude any liability which may arise as a result of the use of this information. This information is the copyright of Kafrouni Lawyers.

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