BYOD - bring your own device - anyone have it at their work?

[r055]

Do any of you have a bring your own device model working in your organisation?
If so, how do you get over the tax declaration side of things?

We are looking into it because
A) people are using their own devices already (phones and tablets)
B) people moan at not being able to get fecking iPhones
C) There's a worrying trend that people are 'dropping' their phones so they can get a newer model.

I'm wanting to roll out a hybrid model. They will get no choice in handset. If they think they can't possibly walk around with a non-trendy phone, then they can opt out of company scheme and get their own.

R

[Lazydonkey]

We have a hybrid model.

If you just need a phone you get a Nokia that looks like it was designed in the 90s. Those on call who need access to email get a Blackberry, usually a 9320 or similar. If you don't like either than we are happy to supply a SIM and you can pop it into whatever you want on the understanding that you enable remote wipe or have full encryption on android devices.

Tablet wise only directors and engineers are issued with fondleslabs for free, but we run a discounted ipad scheme and you will see more iDevices being used than any other brand. As with the phone you just sign up to remote wipe and you are fully connected to exchange server. Every office has wifi and it's actually made a huge difference to the way we do business.

No idea how it works for tax im afraid

[Claws]

I just have 2 Phones, my own one and my Blackberry for work.

Tell them if they want an iphone etc, then that's their decision and feel free to go and get one to use in addition to the company supplied phone

[r055]

Yeah this is the party line at the moment, but with directors in the business bypassing this process and the unsettled situation at blackberry/RIM we're just trying to tighten the process as it's becoming unbearable for managing.

I have company supplied blackberry, my own samsung android and my own iPad which I use for work.

[H8OAG]

The tax implications remain unclear on BYOD as HMRC struggle to keep pace with the various company schemes

Some companies choose to set up a salary sacrifice scheme to enable their employees to purchase smartphones and tablets. I was tasked to speak with HMRC on this matter......... and their view was that the employee should be taxed at 20% of the value of the asset

O2 chose a "cop out" and allowed employees to use their own devices on the company server and claim the homeworker allowance once a year of £165

I believe HMRC has just increased the amount that can be paid to an employee for working at home to £4.00 per week without the need for bills etc. to back the claim up.
(This is providing the employee can prove that duties can be done from home).

It doesn't specifically mention use of home assets, but the single payment is there to pay for additional costs in relation to the home working.

[Lazydonkey]

Interestingly we are currently replacing our field engineer units, changing from rubberised bricks like a courier would use to ipad minis.

Not only are the mini's actually cheaper than the rubber bricks per unit but against all expectations our trial groups are being far far more careful with them. So far not one has been returned as broken with one engineer being quoted as saying "it's more than my life's work to break this, my daughter loves the peppa pig app before she goes to sleep"

The trial has been a huge success for us: the engineers are much happier and more connected (they never used to have email and a calendar for example) and customers are happier as we can no run demos on all the Sky apps during an install. Put the two devices side by side and there's no way you'd think the ipad would be cheaper in the short / medium term....and much cheaper long term.

EDIT : We did have to, no joke, run training on how to use an ipad though.

[woody]

Is this any use/interest Ross?

https://lets-connect.com/smartphones-scheme.php

Just had an email through today to say we're starting something with them soon.

[r055]

Thanks Woody - that looks interesting.
Maybe it's just me but The style of website and the language used makes me suspicious that it's just a con.

Would be interested to hear how you guys get on with it.
I might also drop them a note to speak to someone about it and get references.

R

[woody]

Thanks Woody - that looks interesting.
Maybe it's just me but The style of website and the language used makes me suspicious that it's just a con.

Would be interested to hear how you guys get on with it.
I might also drop them a note to speak to someone about it and get references.

R

I would agree with you had I stumbled across it myself, but knowing what the Corp. I work for are like, I'd think it'll have been fully checked out before announcing it.

[Sanjøy]

How sensitive is the data in your company?

[r055]

How sensitive is the data in your company?

Not high risk stuff sanjoy. Construction and maintenance...