Employer now provides $50 stipend for phone service... I pay $20/month

[minority_finance_mo]

My own phone service is free through FreedomPop, though I do cover my DM's phone which costs $20/month. That means $30 extra pre-tax dollars per month since my employer confirmed the benefit is offered regardless of bill amount.

I guess they figured everyone's phone bill was $50 or more? I asked around and it sounds like $50 doesn't cover the full payment for most of my coworkers.

[JZinCO]

Well played. My past employer offered a reimbursement but not a flat $ credit.
You're definitely right about the '50 not covering it' thing for most folks.

[MakingSenseofCents]

Nice!

[Fireball]

Well done!  My wife's work does something similar with a flat $40 reimbursement for her phone service. Between Google FI for her and Republic for me - we get paid $5.00 a month for using our cell phones. Not a bad arrangement.

[bigalsmith101]

My employer reimburses me $40/mo for my plan. I have Republic Wireless's $15/mo plan, and my wife uses their $25/mo plan. I now essentially pay $5/mo for both of our phone plans after taxes.

[Rural]

 But if they pay a stipend, they must expect to be able to call you after hours, right? Totally not worth it in my book.

[JZinCO]

But if they pay a stipend, they must expect to be able to call you after hours, right? Totally not worth it in my book.

It's because they expect you to use your personal phone for business use during your business hours. So they can pay you up front, or you can claim it as an expense on your tax forms.

[minority_finance_mo]

But if they pay a stipend, they must expect to be able to call you after hours, right? Totally not worth it in my book.

It's because they expect you to use your personal phone for business use during your business hours. So they can pay you up front, or you can claim it as an expense on your tax forms.

I think it's more that there is a talent crunch in my industry and they're competing with companies like Google for top talent.

That said, I believe it's along the lines of what JZinCO said.

[Roots&Wings]

Way to go! This is what prompted me to finally buy a smart phone (the one requirement to receive employer phone reimbursement). I made back the purchase price of the $90 smart phone in 1.5 months. Pay ~$5/mo for Airvoice wireless pay as you go service. Mostly operate in wifi mode at home or when travelling for calls and meetings with limited cell data/phone usage.

[JLee]

But if they pay a stipend, they must expect to be able to call you after hours, right? Totally not worth it in my book.

In certain industries/positions, being called after hours is a given. :(

[Rural]

But if they pay a stipend, they must expect to be able to call you after hours, right? Totally not worth it in my book.

In certain industries/positions, being called after hours is a given. :(

Part of why I chose the one I did and turned down a promotion.

[JLee]

But if they pay a stipend, they must expect to be able to call you after hours, right? Totally not worth it in my book.

In certain industries/positions, being called after hours is a given. :(

Part of why I chose the one I did and turned down a promotion.

Certainly understandable.