Illinois company forces employees to use their own phones to authenticate into company systems, leaving them wondering who should be paying their phone bill: 'They say it's for security, but they won't provide work phones'

At what point should an employer be providing employees with a work phone if they are consistently being asked to use their personal phone for their work?

During one of my first "adult" jobs, I needed a cell phone. The company provided one for me, and that just made sense.

During my second job, I still needed a cell phone, but I was surprised by my new employer's reaction. Shocked actually. The regional manager had been going over requirements for communication and contact for the role. Essentially describing the use of a company phone. I asked him at what point of onboarding I would be getting one. His response? "What's wrong with your phone?"

That answered a lot of questions right there and then. And, I maintain, if your employees have aspects of their job that literally require a company phone, you'd better be providing one.