Commuting to work

[badboyburt]

Im a site manager for a large Co, just completed a large project in central london, now being told, not asked, to drive 100+ miles each way to a new site for approx 6 months, over 1000miles a week leaving home at around 05:30 getting back home around 20:30.

The Co I work for have hundreds of sites all over the uk, and approx 50+ sites between my home and the new place of work.

The Co is split into many divisions and I have requested a transfer but this was declined with no reason given other than "My Strengths as a manager" which in turn refers to me covering my Project Managers backside for a long time hence why he declined the move.

My Question is, What is a reasonable travelling distance to work?

[badboyburt]

I have enquired regarding the hotel for 4 nights a week, based on using less Diesel, lowering my carbon footprint and my health, all things my Co state on their Co Policies. I got declined.

[badboyburt]

ffc said:

IMHO this is an unreasonable request and smells of constructive dismissal. I'd be looking for a job elsewhere.

I never thought of it like that

[badboyburt]

davepoth said:

Just out of interest, how have you worked out that 100 miles is going to take three hours?

M25/M4 lots of roadworks

[badboyburt]

Quinny said:

I'd quite happily drive 100 miles each way......... In their time and at their cost....

Set off at around 7am would seem reasonable..... Then after 2 hours driving a 10 or 15 minute break to stretch the legs, and comply with H & S requirements.... Then arrive at 10 am ish

If it's a 9 to 5 type job, it's a reasonable expectation to be home at 6 ish.... So set off at 3pm, again after 2 hours driving a little 10 minute break would be in order... And then carry on home

Ive tried this in the past, it got me a disciplinary action.

[badboyburt]

72EuropaTC said:

Work out the petrol & mileage costs for car usage. Then find out the cost of 4 nights hotel + 2 car trips. If the hotel+trips is cheaper, go and have a chat with the finance dept and then take them with you when you go to see HR. 9 times out of 10 the bean counters will win.

Also if you're a manager, do you manage any budget? If so does it include any travel/subsistence element? Surely how you spend your budget will be at your discretion in order to fullfil the company's requirements.

I will look into the costs this week and see how it works out, as for managing budgets, I manage the spend of the contract, company budgets are dealt with on another level although costed to the job in the prelims, it is unfortunately an element which is out of my control.

[badboyburt]

GeraldSmith said:

What does your contract say regarding your place of work?

I dug this out today, it very clevery reads, "The company will expect you to travel a reasonable distance to your place of work" nothing is defined and HR will not give me an answer.