use of company van taken away

toadyfrog

Mr bf along with others in the same position, has had the use of a company van to travel to and from work, this has been like this for 5 years and more. On monday 10 mins before then end of the day they were called into the office to be told they would no longer have the use of these vans. This is fine but can they do this without sufficient notice, luckily for us I was able to pick him up but it is an added 20 mile round trip everyday. This is a big nationwide company.

mountainofdebt

I guess they can as its a company van and therefore they would argue only be used for work purposes.

I wonder if they have done it because having access to the van on the weekend has been abused ?

bryanb

If use of vehicle is not mentioned in employment contract they can do it.

toadyfrog

I don't think its a case of them being abused as they can only been seen on the road saturday morning and not at all on a sunday, they all are recognisable and are individually numbered so they can be tracked.

They just thought it was a bit short notice.

Barneysmom

Will it cost you extra to get to work? They're giving you a pay cut if that's the case.

Conor_3

Yes they can. Just a question - were they paying additional tax on this "benefit"? After all, really they should have been.

toadyfrog

Yes it will cost extra to get to work.

but no I don't think any of them have been taxed on it.

So I suppose its swings and roundabouts really.

Conor_3

Pretty much. Sadly, it'll have happened purely because of the stupid antics of most likely one person. The thing is that when a companies' name and phone number is plastered over a vehicle, said company gets to find out. Joe Public, however, isn't likely to be looking for a fleet number and will just say "one of your vans".

Reggie_Rebel

The withdrawl may not be linked to tha actions of an individual, it could be that they are cost cutting and see the cost of the fuel to get the workers from home to work should be bourne by the workers not the company

surreysaver

Under Custom and Practice, the company should not do it at short notice. If employees have been allowed to continue with a practice with managements' knowledge, then they cannot just take it away. It could be that the taxperson has found out about it rather than an employee taking the micky!

CFC

Surreysaver, the custom and practice argument is a grey area and is not a hard and fast rule in all circumstances.

However I would certainly feel that less than 24 hours notice is unreasonable!