Its a thing in the UK - basically you don't sign a contract for regular work, but instead are given work ad hoc. My point being there're not as many rights given to these types of workers, and they especially aren't going to buy me a phone - never mind give me paid holiday leave or a pension plan.
Yes youre right its bad practice. But the company I work for really doesn't care about that. I'm only there temporarily anyways.
Update: WhatsApp just didn't want to open whilst in a work environment set up by shelter. Don't know why. It just hung for a few mins then crashed.
Shame! But I think I'll go with the other suggestion of a Matrix server
Damnnnn that's a good one. Would be so funny if trump loving conspiracy theorists suddenly went vegan