How to Receive Employer Reimbursement for Your Personal Cell Phone | 2019 Employment Law in Illinois

Article written by Illinois Attorney Kevin O’Flaherty

In this article, we will discuss how new employment laws for 2019 may qualify you for reimbursement relating to your personal cell phone use. We will answer the questions “Can you be reimbursed for cell phone use?” and “How to be reimbursed for your cell phone.”

Can You be Reimbursed for Cell Phone Use?

In 2019, Illinois passed new law regarding reimbursement by employers. This new law requires all employers to reimburse their employees for any expenses incurred within the scope of their employment. This can include several expenses, including personal cell phones. The use of cell phones for work is increasingly popular as employees remain in contact beyond the office or even work remotely. Employees may also receive calls from their employer or co-workers relating to work matters. This can run on your paid data plan, which adds another element to the expense that may be reimbursable.

There are some requirements to be aware, however:

Under the new law, your employer must reimburse you for use, even if the cost is negligent to you. For example, if you have an unlimited data or high-end cell phone plan, work-related data usage will not directly affect your bill. However, an employer is still required to reimburse for that data. The Illinois law is not specific on…