Can I be forced to download an app for communicating?

[OrangeOrganics]

I don’t think op is worried about them spying on him, he just doesn’t like the app and thinks it’s useless

[Marco]

@Explant

My suggestion is buy a burner phone 2nd hand, pay using the prepay system (i think the cheapest is 180/2 months, but someone else can confirm. Then your private info is protected and you need not worry.

IMO, the $1000 for 6 months and 10ish give or take GB is a better deal.

[teacher11]

@izzy

you are contradicting yourself a little. if the employer gmails you or uses line, you are ok (even though they dont provide the phone or the data plan), but since its a crappy app they designed, suddenly it becomes a human rights issue…

The reason I am fine with Gmail or Line is because I can use them on my work computer, that the school provided for me. Their app has no windows or chrome version.

@tempogain

Did you mention that previously? I must have missed it.

Sorry, my mistake I forgot to say it in my original post.

@tempogain

Am I missing something that this requirement is actually having some negative impact on you besides being annoying?

It’s having an impact because I don’t have a newer phone and had to uninstall some apps to download this one. My current phone only has 64gb which is being used by other apps, videos, and pictures.

@Andrew0409

If the employee refuses to use it because it’s “hard”…then I think it’s time to move on as this is what we are doing and you can’t participate if you don’t use it.

I don’t think the app is hard to use at all. It just doesn’t work. I get no notifications on messages or events that are happening. The file preview section is buggy. The preview isn’t clear and you have to save the image to actually see it. It doesn’t recognize my username and password about a quarter of the time.

@OrangeOrganics

I don’t think op is worried about them spying on him, he just doesn’t like the app and thinks it’s useless

Spying is just a small issue. It’s mainly not having room on my phone, since it’s older, using my own data for it, and it not working.

[Andrew0409]

@teacher11

I don’t think the app is hard to use at all. It just doesn’t work. I get no notifications on messages or events that are happening. The file preview section is buggy. The preview isn’t clear and you have to save the image to actually see it. It doesn’t recognize my username and password about a quarter of the time.

I think that’s a legitimate issue you should bring up to them with other employees. As long as you handle your side bringing up the concern to improve the situation, the ball is on their court to make it work for everyone.

[OrangeOrganics]

Yeah but don’t frame it as you refuse to use.

My last company had some hr software that you had to use to clock-in with(by law they have to record because companies make workers work overtime illegally). Wasn’t a very good app, but hr had already decided

[Explant]

Micro sd cards in i think 100+gb now. W e paid 199 for 128gb. Made in taiwan.

[lostinasia]

@teacher11

I get no notifications on messages or events that are happening.

I dunno, they want you to install an app that gives you plausible deniability on not knowing about meetings, or about extra and quite likely pointless tasks beyond the classroom ones? Sounds like a win to me. They want to crash the school’s operations with the boss’s nephew’s app, that’s their call.

[MalcolmReynolds]

@Explant

My suggestion is buy a burner phone 2nd hand, pay using the prepay system (i think the cheapest is 180/2 months, but someone else can confirm. Then your private info is protected and you need not worry.

Two words.

BURNER PHONE

[maicole]

I fully agree with you, Hamletintaiwan.

1. Use separate old cheap phone (and if you can do it with just wifi even better vs. get sim)
2. Don’t simply go along with new employer demands, esp. counterproductive ones. This may be a case where a union would be helpful. (But don’t go overboard.)

[BlackGaynProud]

We feel no need to hide our porn I guess.

[BlackGaynProud]

@teacher11

That’s like providing only part of the uniform, like the hat. I would still need to provide the shirt and pants.

That’s very common too.

[BlackGaynProud]

@teacher11

Their app has no windows or chrome version.

Windows 11 can run Android apps.

Here’s how to get the Google Play Store running on Windows 11

Or use an emulator on older versions of Windows.

[Shaun008]

I do hope you have given it negative feedback on which App/play store you had to download it from.

also report it as not working to the App/play Store it may get taken down.

[Explant]

@Hamletintaiwan

@tempogain

It just seems like part of their work processes. They certainly don’t need to list every single thing you might be required to do in a job in the contract. I wouldn’t think you’ll have much luck protesting it anywhere. I’d just do it. That’s the best advice I could give you.

That’s not the best advice I would give.
Get an old cheap phone, a cheap simcard, and use it for work to keep the peace!
Don’t use your everyday private phone.
I find it very disturbing that so many here are ok with it.

Damn, sorry. I didnt read the whole thread earlier.

I absolutely agree with this 100%

[ilikecoffee]

The school app developers are probably too cheap to pay for both android and ios licensing. it’s probably android. so just tell everyone your phone is incompatible because… (make up an excuse that is believable). apologize profusely and say your model is too old, you can’t install the software for some highly technical reasons… out of memory sounds perfect.

Add that you’re a little short of cash and can’t afford a new phone because … and make it appear like if they insist you will lose big face. pick your battles where you don’t burn too many bridges.

[ilikecoffee]

better still… get it banned for TOS infractions!!!

[KINGKONGDONK]

lol reminds me a tad bit of this one school I went to teach online at, and their internet would crash all the time mid teaching, and they told me to use my phone to hotspot wifi to the laptop to continue class, all while I was in their building under their roof. hilarious. Just told them this is a joke and walked out.

[TimesThree]

Am I missing something? What is the name of this app? Why is it such a problem? What city are we talking about? Why so mysterious?

[OrangeOrganics]

Yes, or just say you didnt understand the message and thought was optional. Whatever you do, dont argue directly.

But if the schools are using one app to communicate with all the teachers and you are the only one outside the system, then will end up being an issue. There probably is a reason they wanted to use a custom app for this task. Maybe so there is paper-trail for communication.

As @Andrew0409 said, for management you will end up being a pain. For whatever reason they have decided to implement this policy and you are causing trouble for them when they probably have more pressing things to deal with. Or they have to report to their own manager with this looking bad on them. Just be aware that all of your actions have counter-reactions and evaluate the cost-benefit.

When I worked in Taiwanese companies I knew that every year would end up being asked to deal with shit I really didnt want to do, so would save my bullets and not waste them on minor grievances.

[teacher11]

Thanks for all the feedback, suggestions, and criticism. It doesn’t seem like there are any laws or many people who had a similar situation about using a personal phone for work apps. I will take some of your advice and just use one of my crappy old backup phones for the app and hotspot it or see what cheap data only plans there are.

@TimesThree

What is the name of this app? Why is it such a problem? What city are we talking about? Why so mysterious?

I didn’t want to give away too much information in case the head of the office is on this site.