Time will tell how the expenses of purchase, maintenance and usage of employee-owned tablets, laptops, and home computers used for business are impacted by courts that follow a recent California appeals court ruling “that reimbursement is always required. Otherwise, the employer would receive a windfall because it would be passing its operating expenses onto the employee.”
Using personal devices to conduct business has become commonplace, whether employers require it or employees voluntary do so. The use of personal devices creates a privacy challenge. Employers want access to the devices, and employees want to protect their personal data contained on them.
The term “devices” itself is deceiving. Many consider employee-owned devices to be smartphones and tablets, as the term “BYOD” (Bring Your Own Device) implies. However, BYOD also includes laptops and desktop computers at home.