Bring Your Own.... phone?

If BYO makes you think of wine, inexpensive restaurants and corkage fees, it’s time to think again.

For some time trends have shown employers need to think beyond the dollar value of a salary when bringing on new staff, and it would seem allowing employees to select their tools of trade – or even bring their own – is becoming increasingly important.

In many trades, employees are expected to build their own tool kit, usually aided by employers through either a tool allowance or stipend, or through access to employer discounts.

The practice is now moving to management and technology-based roles, in a trend dubbed ‘consumerisation’ or ‘BYOD’ (Bring Your Own Device).

Jane Kennelly, managing director of Frog Recruitment, says conversations recruiters are having about salary and packages frequently turn to the ‘tools of the job’.

"Information is regularly requested regarding the type of mobile or laptop,” Kennelly says.

Even the availability of equipment such as iPads, still often considered ‘toys’ rather than ‘tools’, is being discussed, Kennelly says.

Nor is this coming only from the younger, status-symbol-hungry generation. Candidates for senior management and CEO roles are requesting – and often obtaining – the latest and greatest in technology.

In fact, Kennelly says one CEO was so impressed with his company-supplied iPad he made a convincing case to supply the devices to all key staff.

Nor is it uncommon anymore for employees to opt to retain their own smartphone, and simply have their employer reimburse the cost of work related calls.

With the cost of technology dropping almost daily, the high compatibility between devices and an increasing need to be able to work remotely, it makes sense for companies to consider their employees’ wishes when making technology decisions. Happy employees make for better productivity and better customer service – and that makes for a happy bottom line.

Does your company consult your employees when it comes to the choice of technology they use? Would you consider including some more prestigious tools in a salary package in lieu of cold, hard cash?