Employer Forcing Me To Use My Phone For Work

Location: California, LA, Security

Hi, I do observation jobs, I am not contracted I am an hourly paid employee and did sign an I9 and all that (normal California employee).

My company did not inform me that we’d be using personal phones in the interview. I signed everything and day 1 they said I am required to keep phone plugged in throughout the 8 hour shift, never to unplug it except for when I go outside for patrols, and when on breaks. Phone app we use monitors battery percentage and alerts management if it falls under 60%.

I have been here two months and my Iphone 16 Pro Max battery has gone from 98% battery health to 87%. I am charging this phone 5+ times as much a day almost. We are forced to gave GEOLOCATION/GPS enabled, which constantly eats up battery.

I am also required to go outside scan NFC tags. If I drop my phone I am out of pocket the screen protector or damage. I now will soon be forced to replace the battery and more since my phone is constantly hot/lost most of its top end battery.

I called HR and they said they will not cover this and will not provide a work phone. If I call 911 for emergencies its on my personal phone. If I write a report its my phone. Photos my phone. Etc.

Possible to force HR to take action and either provide a phone or compensate the expenses? I looked at a new phone and it’s going to run me $700 to break my contract and upgrade to the 17 pro max. While I can afford it I don’t necessarily enjoy the idea.

Im in LA, California, allied universal security. Please do not tell me to quit my job (if I could afford it I would). We are paid decent but not enough to justify $250 on a battery replacement every 4 months. I wish I was lying when I said I charge the phone 5+ times a day now. The phone is used the entire 8hr shift in the hot sun. I do not care so much about my internet cost (no wifi provided outside) since its unlimited data.

Any advice? I fear I’ll be fired if I continue asking for a work phone. Every other guard agrees it’s unfair but is too afraid to speak up about it.

EDIT: They also make us do patrols in rain (I hate this).