Can my employer do this? ( company car)

mostwantd

I’m entitled to a Job Car, however for the past 3 years I have taken the allowance of £350 a month. I was then advised in June that I had to take a car, so I chose a car within two weeks and as I came to order it I was advised that the policy was being reviewed therefore I needed to wait to see what the business decides to do.

Then 3 weeks ago my manager calls me and advises me that not only can I not have the car but they are taking the allowance too at the end of the year. As they say the cash is equal to the car so if you don’t qualify for the car then you can’t take the cash? It was never stated in any contract of mine that this policy would apply – I was always told that if I choose to take opt in for the car I can do at any time.

They say I don't meet the business mileage of 10,000 - but this is hasn’t been proven by them, they are just assuming that as they have now records to go on for the last 3 years as I have relied on public transport. But when I look at my previous agenda it quite clearly demonstrates that I will easily reach the criteria.

This is a big loss for me if the remove my allowance. They told me to start using my own car and claim back 40p per mile!

Any advice welcome x

DVardysShadow

Tell them your car is not available. Use public transport.

Is your entitlement to a car in your contract? Or how did you get the entitlement?

mostwantd

Using public transport at the moment isnt that easy at the moment, considering the project im currently working on.

its classified as a job car, not company car. As a company car is a 'Perk' so due to the amount of traveling i do they asked me to pick a car and when i did they havent stopped messing me about.

bryanb

If public transport is no good, call a taxi

mostwantd

lol - i cant claim taxi on my expenses! good idea though!

bryanb

It would be difficult to say your private car is not available if it's parked at work, but maybe it could have "Almost empty tank"

Any

You are not answering questions.
How did you come to the car/car allowance?
Is it part of your contract??

Company car is usually part of the contract and they couldn't take it away from you that easily... But job car? Never heard of it before.. so it comes down to contract of employment etc..

rach29

I've not heard it called a "job car" but I used to have what was called a "usage car" in my job. There was quite a clear distinction between the two. ie.that a Company car was a perk ( you didn't need it to do your work) and a "usage car" was a car provided by the company in order for you to do your work. As an example my usage car was removed from me when I was on maternity leave.

The idea of paying you a cash sum in lieu of a car would make it seem more like a Company car in my eyes.

(The tax man will take his share either way unless it is a pool car i.e. shared by many & not for any private use)

Pete111

On the other hand 40p per mile will likely net you approx £12-16 per gallon of fuel (assuming you don't drive a V8 range rover!)

Assuming fuel is around £5 a gallon at worst then even doubling that for wear and tear etc you could be on to a nice little earner...

P

DVardysShadow

bryanb wrote: »

It would be difficult to say your private car is not available if it's parked at work, but maybe it could have "Almost empty tank"

I would have absolutely no problem in pointing to my car in the car park and saying it is not available for company business, not even at 40p/mile. Do they have a right to make calls from your personal mobile? Does the MD have a right to drop by your house on his way to or from work and use the toilet?

Bobl

Job related Cars are common where I work, they are provided if a person can justify at least 10,000 miles per year and does not have a Company Car/Allowance. The Job related Car can be withdrawn if the 10,000 miles is not likely. If we need someone to regularly make business trips, without either of the above, we provide a hire car for the duration.

You need to find out if the Car Allowance is part of your contracted benefits, speak to HR.