Can my company make me use my personal car for work?
Discussion
I've always put business use on my own cars - even when I've had a company car.
The problem comes if you are doing a job that could fall under the rules for sales reps., rather than the usual 'business use' which covers you for travelling to multiple company sites. Or so my insurers told me, anyway.
However, in this case, it seems that it has been usual for employees to use pool cars for business travel - so to suddenly turn around and expect an employee to use their own car could be considered unreasonable.
The problem comes if you are doing a job that could fall under the rules for sales reps., rather than the usual 'business use' which covers you for travelling to multiple company sites. Or so my insurers told me, anyway.
However, in this case, it seems that it has been usual for employees to use pool cars for business travel - so to suddenly turn around and expect an employee to use their own car could be considered unreasonable.
Colonial said:
Yes. Because every single location in the country is well served by an efficient public transport network that won't take half a day to travel 25 miles.
Blatent bending of the truth!!!I can tell you that Ford Motor Company typically has 100's of people travelling on business every week, and vitually all use public transport very effectively.
Colonial said:
One of the potential contracts I was being offered, was on the Out skirts of North Bristol - I did a bit of pubic trainspirt investigation and from my house in the car at 5am on a monday morning is 4 hours, with a break for tea and toast. But I thought 200 miles would be nicer by train, get a bit of work done, read the paper have a kip. My nearest station is Formby - Patchway was the nearest station to the client.
Cheapest leaves at 6.23 and arrives at 11.38 - it's a 10 minute walk each end. and 4 different trains
Or I could Go to Parkway leave at 6.08 and get there at 10:25 with a 20 min walk But get there an hour or more earlier for 50 quid more and only 3 trains.
Or I could drive and get there before 9.
I've committed to something closer to home at a higher rate.
Wild Swordfish said:
I've looked into this when first finding out I would be using pool cars for work. Yes, I would have to declare I've had an accident, but it wouldn't count as a claim as it's not my policy..
Yes it would I have class 1 business use on my policy and it is more than £20. I'd check what they are offering.
Carrying company equipment in your car is another minefield.
So in a climate where its extremely difficult to get a job, you are going toe to toe with senior management over something that 'may' cost you £20 extra on your insurance?
Genius that is, pure genius
Just for clarity I recently got promoted and as such have to visit client sites and attend conferences, I claim my 45p a mile expenses and if I go above 10k business miles in a year will be given a car allowance in future.
Genius that is, pure genius
Just for clarity I recently got promoted and as such have to visit client sites and attend conferences, I claim my 45p a mile expenses and if I go above 10k business miles in a year will be given a car allowance in future.
"Do you think I'm just overeating, or do you think a company which turns over hundreds of millions should rent a car for me to use."
Only you know if you are overeating. If you are, I don't think the company should hire you a car just because you are fat. Lol.
However, if you meant over reacting, then no, I don't think you are. I had this exact same argument with my employer, a school, last week.
Only you know if you are overeating. If you are, I don't think the company should hire you a car just because you are fat. Lol.
However, if you meant over reacting, then no, I don't think you are. I had this exact same argument with my employer, a school, last week.
DaveEssex said:
Blatent bending of the truth!!!
I can tell you that Ford Motor Company typically has 100's of people travelling on business every week, and vitually all use public transport very effectively.
Yes, but where are they travelling to and from? Within an urban context it can work. Or even an inter-urban context. an office in the centre of Birmingham to an office in the centre of London? Public transport all the way. I can tell you that Ford Motor Company typically has 100's of people travelling on business every week, and vitually all use public transport very effectively.
From a small consulting business located in a small town to a client located in a rural area? Give it a break. If you are visiting other sites, away from major centres, or even in suburban areas, then you are naive to the point of self delusion if you think public transport is a cost and time effective mode of transport.
New POD said:
Oh, tell me about it.
One of the potential contracts I was being offered, was on the Out skirts of North Bristol - I did a bit of pubic trainspirt investigation and from my house in the car at 5am on a monday morning is 4 hours, with a break for tea and toast. But I thought 200 miles would be nicer by train, get a bit of work done, read the paper have a kip. My nearest station is Formby - Patchway was the nearest station to the client.
Cheapest leaves at 6.23 and arrives at 11.38 - it's a 10 minute walk each end. and 4 different trains
Or I could Go to Parkway leave at 6.08 and get there at 10:25 with a 20 min walk But get there an hour or more earlier for 50 quid more and only 3 trains.
Or I could drive and get there before 9.
I've committed to something closer to home at a higher rate.
Excuse me, but what on earth has this got to do with the topic.One of the potential contracts I was being offered, was on the Out skirts of North Bristol - I did a bit of pubic trainspirt investigation and from my house in the car at 5am on a monday morning is 4 hours, with a break for tea and toast. But I thought 200 miles would be nicer by train, get a bit of work done, read the paper have a kip. My nearest station is Formby - Patchway was the nearest station to the client.
Cheapest leaves at 6.23 and arrives at 11.38 - it's a 10 minute walk each end. and 4 different trains
Or I could Go to Parkway leave at 6.08 and get there at 10:25 with a 20 min walk But get there an hour or more earlier for 50 quid more and only 3 trains.
Or I could drive and get there before 9.
I've committed to something closer to home at a higher rate.
Colonial said:
Yes, but where are they travelling to and from? Within an urban context it can work. Or even an inter-urban context. an office in the centre of Birmingham to an office in the centre of London? Public transport all the way.
From a small consulting business located in a small town to a client located in a rural area? Give it a break. If you are visiting other sites, away from major centres, or even in suburban areas, then you are naive to the point of self delusion if you think public transport is a cost and time effective mode of transport.
I for one working out of Engineering have visited many outlying locations without any issue.From a small consulting business located in a small town to a client located in a rural area? Give it a break. If you are visiting other sites, away from major centres, or even in suburban areas, then you are naive to the point of self delusion if you think public transport is a cost and time effective mode of transport.
DaveEssex said:
I for one working out of Engineering have visited many outlying locations without any issue.
Yes, but are they serviced by public transport? If so, then it's not an issue. If they aren't serviced by public transport it is an issue. Or if you need to carry large amount of equipment. Or do work at night outside of a major centre.
Or you dense or just being intentionally obtuse?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Using fear to force employees to cave in to pressure isn't the best motivational tool is it? Pisses them off, and ultimately it wasn't worth the hassle. I once had a lot of pressure to accept a change to my terms of employment, which suggested that I waive the employees right to vicarious liability. That is if I made a mistake, I not they would be liable, for any costs that they or the customers incurred.
Turns out that the contract wasn't worth the paper it was written on, and I could have signed it knowing that it wouldn't stand up in a court because it is illegal to ask someone to sign a contract which is contary to satutary rights of employment.
I still refused, and was told that I'd have my existing contract terminated on a particular date, if I didn't sign it.
What's a man with a mortgage, 2 kids and a sick wife to do ? I caved in, and spent the next 10 months looking for a new job. It took me that look because I was so demotivated by it I think, and that came across at interview.
Colonial said:
Yes, but are they serviced by public transport? If so, then it's not an issue.
If they aren't serviced by public transport it is an issue. Or if you need to carry large amount of equipment. Or do work at night outside of a major centre.
Or you dense or just being intentionally obtuse?
Don't wish to report you for abuse!!!If they aren't serviced by public transport it is an issue. Or if you need to carry large amount of equipment. Or do work at night outside of a major centre.
Or you dense or just being intentionally obtuse?
DaveEssex said:
It's probably still the best solution to his and his manager's problem.
Except if his destination is not serviced by public transport or he has to carry lots of equipment. Or visit one site, then go on to another site, then a third site and then back to work. The public transport network may not provide those connections with ease. A 5 hour round trip may well blow out to 8 hours +DaveEssex said:
Colonial said:
Yes, but are they serviced by public transport? If so, then it's not an issue.
If they aren't serviced by public transport it is an issue. Or if you need to carry large amount of equipment. Or do work at night outside of a major centre.
Or you dense or just being intentionally obtuse?
Don't wish to report you for abuse!!!If they aren't serviced by public transport it is an issue. Or if you need to carry large amount of equipment. Or do work at night outside of a major centre.
Or you dense or just being intentionally obtuse?
I'm sorry. Not for what I said, but for your delicate constitution.
New POD said:
Using fear to force employees to cave in to pressure isn't the best motivational tool is it? Pisses them off, and ultimately it wasn't worth the hassle.
I once had a lot of pressure to accept a change to my terms of employment, which suggested that I waive the employees right to vicarious liability. That is if I made a mistake, I not they would be liable, for any costs that they or the customers incurred.
Turns out that the contract wasn't worth the paper it was written on, and I could have signed it knowing that it wouldn't stand up in a court because it is illegal to ask someone to sign a contract which is contary to satutary rights of employment.
I still refused, and was told that I'd have my existing contract terminated on a particular date, if I didn't sign it.
What's a man with a mortgage, 2 kids and a sick wife to do ? I caved in, and spent the next 10 months looking for a new job. It took me that look because I was so demotivated by it I think, and that came across at interview.
And you think that's a valid comparison to being asked to use your own car for a week as a pool car isn't available?I once had a lot of pressure to accept a change to my terms of employment, which suggested that I waive the employees right to vicarious liability. That is if I made a mistake, I not they would be liable, for any costs that they or the customers incurred.
Turns out that the contract wasn't worth the paper it was written on, and I could have signed it knowing that it wouldn't stand up in a court because it is illegal to ask someone to sign a contract which is contary to satutary rights of employment.
I still refused, and was told that I'd have my existing contract terminated on a particular date, if I didn't sign it.
What's a man with a mortgage, 2 kids and a sick wife to do ? I caved in, and spent the next 10 months looking for a new job. It took me that look because I was so demotivated by it I think, and that came across at interview.
Many insurers don't even charge extra for occasional business use. Not really seeing the issue here, if they are asking you to suddenly do hundreds of miles a week you've got a point but to pop to a meeting once in a blue moon does it really matter? The own-car mileage rate usually more than covers the fuel and wear and tear anyway.
Having worked for 2 mid size accountancy firms, there has never been the offer of pool or hire cars for travel to clients.
Both jobs involve(d) travel to clients fairly regularly, however I have never been forced to take my car. The option is always there to take public transport and recharge it, however most of the time I'll opt to take my car as it's usually more convenient and comfortable for, for this I will get the maximum HMRC mileage allowance.
Taking into account wear and tear etc, I don't think I make much profit on it, though running a 3.0 petrol probably doesn't help in that respect.
In the end, it comes to being reasonable. For me, the company are decent to work for and I recognise that there are periods when pool cars would just sit there so wouldn't be economical, so I don't mind using my car for this purpose.
OP, ultimately if the company show you flexibility and some give and take then try and show the same back. If they are generally arses then feck them.
Both jobs involve(d) travel to clients fairly regularly, however I have never been forced to take my car. The option is always there to take public transport and recharge it, however most of the time I'll opt to take my car as it's usually more convenient and comfortable for, for this I will get the maximum HMRC mileage allowance.
Taking into account wear and tear etc, I don't think I make much profit on it, though running a 3.0 petrol probably doesn't help in that respect.
In the end, it comes to being reasonable. For me, the company are decent to work for and I recognise that there are periods when pool cars would just sit there so wouldn't be economical, so I don't mind using my car for this purpose.
OP, ultimately if the company show you flexibility and some give and take then try and show the same back. If they are generally arses then feck them.
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