I'm working remotely and set up Microsoft's authenticator app and Teams on my personal device before they sent me a work laptop. On my first day, I had to train using my phone since the company delayed getting me the laptop. I've been dealing with workplace mobbing, and I've noticed some of my colleagues making comments about my searches on ChatGPT, even though I never used it on any work devices. They also seem aware of my emails. I did log into my email briefly on the work laptop for a holiday voucher but signed out right after and unsynced the browser. Recently, they still make comments about my private phone activities, which worries me. I suspect it could be the authenticator app or the VPN they asked me to download. I'm curious—what are other ways employers might access their remote employees' personal devices, if any? I changed my WiFi settings to separate personal and work devices and even factory reset my phone, but I'm not sure if that was effective.
3 Answers
Check if your company exercises Mobile Device Management (MDM). Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management on your phone. If there’s no management profile, your employer shouldn’t have access to your personal data. If you're connected to a company VPN, they may see the websites you visit, but your personal communications are usually encrypted.
This situation is concerning. I learned to separate my work life and personal life by using a second phone only for work purposes. I set up my authenticator app and Teams on that phone and don’t mix anything personal on it. Some companies can monitor employees' company-issued devices, so keeping work and personal completely separate is the safest route.
To be safe, consider creating separate profiles on your devices: one for work and another for personal use. This will help keep your work-related activities isolated from your personal life. Also, avoid mixing them up, especially on a work laptop.
That's true, but I think it’s best to avoid using a work laptop for personal stuff altogether.
You’d assume so, but they still seem to use my email language in conversations. Companies that bully shouldn't enjoy the satisfaction of pushing you out.