redundancy and company cars

mashymills

I have been made redundant and wonder if anybody can advise me whether I am legally obligated to return the car to head office 200 miles away or am I within my rights to ask them to collect it? They have stopped my fuel card but said they will reimburse my petrol on the day. They will not pay my return mileage (as I am being picked up) as a train ticket is cheaper. I am not being paid for this day to return the car and could instead be at an interview. I was given 4 weeks notice in lieu but chellenged them with returning the car in 7 days and they have given me 3 weeks (how very big of them!!) Can someone please advise as everyone is telling me I am mad to spend the day taking it back to them...

cajef

It is their car tell them to come and collect it, when I retired from my company they arranged for my company car to be collected.

Darth_Marty

Agreed, they obviously need it back but your under no obligation to deliver it to them. Let them collect or pay you a days wage + expenses.

McKneff

agree with everybody else - tell them to 'comeand get it'

pelirocco

Surely as you no longer will be employed by them you wont be insured?

mashymills

I am not sure if I am still insured I obviously still have the car and am still in my 30 days notice. Thanks for all your comments I was nervous about asking them to collect in case they tried to bill me or something but think I am definately going to tell them its their car, they can collect! Keep the advice coming if anybody know the legalities. Thanks again.

londondulwich

The legal obligations will be in your employee hand book or employment contract.

The enforceability of those obligations will depend on the reasonableness of any clause or condition which may be there.

Travelling 400 miles (200 there and 200 back), I would argue, is unreasonable within the notice period unless necessary expenses were also catered for.

Necessary expenses could include the cost of 3 meals, refreshments and overnight stay at a hotel/ B&B, whichever was closest to the station and within a reasonable price range, which you can provide invoices for.

Travelling several miles away from the destination to eat at a michelin star restaurant or stay at a five star hotel will not be seen as reasonable, unless there was no other alternative.

Debt_Free_Chick

mashymills wrote: »

I was given 4 weeks notice in lieu but chellenged them with returning the car in 7 days and they have given me 3 weeks (how very big of them!!)

I assume this was simply pay at your normal rate? If so, then - arguably - you should either have had pay in lieu of retaining the car or simply to retain the car for four weeks too. So it's hardly "big of them" as you suggest - it's simply what you're entitled to.

Where was your normal place of work? If local, you should arrange to return it there or the nearest place, if that's an option.

Otherwise, ask them to make arrangements to collect it.

getmore4less

mashymills wrote: »

I am not sure if I am still insured I obviously still have the car and am still in my 30 days notice. Thanks for all your comments I was nervous about asking them to collect in case they tried to bill me or something but think I am definately going to tell them its their car, they can collect! Keep the advice coming if anybody know the legalities. Thanks again.

Something is not clear,

Was this 30 days notice thay gave you on top of the PILON. If so then you are still working for the company so will be getting paid for the job of taking it back.

If you have been terminated with PILON then you have no notice and no longer work for the company.

If really terminated check the insurance situation if it was a company policy.

If terminated don't forget to sign on for JSA AIUI now starts from the date of termination even if PILON was given.

Any

I agree - there is some confusion!!

Are you paid for that day you are supposed to take the car back or not???

If yes, take it back. I would still argue over the fuel money.

If not, it is their car, their responsibility and as such they can pick it up. You have nothing to do with it.

scottn

what has historically happened
-when people get there cars is it delivered to home or work
-when people resign how do they return the car

I would suggest that the car is collected from your home by the company and that you should ensure you check the car over with them and note its condition, i.e. on damage that you can be held accountable for.