Job transfering to Scunthorpe!!!

alice's_mum

Hi guys, would like some ideas on how to handle this. OH's company have recently been taken over by big European concern. Now whilst old company, had sites all over UK, OH's job was based in Liverpool, but after they took over a site in Scunthorpe he has been doing a few nights each week over there. Ok not brilliant, but it was his job and didn't really make that much difference to our lives, he got a car to travel in and work paid hotel and food etc.

Today, he's been told that his job is transferring to Scunthorpe, did he want to go (no was the answer). They then offered him a job in the Manchester Depot, which is a good job and not just a "were offering you a job so you can't complain about us type job" (aren't I cynical).

Anyway my question is how do was handle the "negotiations" for this new job. It is a job that has been vacant several months, (they couldn't get anyone to fill it - so we're told) but the guy who did it before was nearly as well qualified as OH and had been there years so obviously on good money. Need to work out how we deal with transport mainly. There is NO WAY we can afford to just buy a car to get him to Manchester, tax, MOT insurance, fuel. The list seems endless and we don't have the spare cash for this.(who does).

OH's is thinking of asking for either a company car for 1 year or an amount say £3K to enable him to buy a car. The thinking being co. car for 1 year, and he should have got a substantial pay rise, we could save the extra and use it to buy a car, or ask for an amount to cover buying one outright or else he can't do the job- and they have said they don't want him to leave.

Any ideas really welcome, this has come out of the blue and need to think by Friday. Should just add there is no chance of us moving to Scunthorpe. Kids, school my job, family the list is endless, plus we moved from Manchester to Liverpool 3 years ago for this same company!! never moving again.

ts_aly2000

The car request does sound entirely reasonable, also does a relocation package. The trouble is that some of these 'companies' have other wild ideas, ie. must have own car, must travel into London for a £12k salary. It all depends on how established and stable the company's business model is.

If it was me I would ask to discuss some kind of relocation package, citing that you naturally wish to do well for the company and don't wish to have hidden money struggles going on in the background which the company would gladly have helped with if asked.

Naturally again, there are companies that would just laugh in your face at the suggestion. Invariably those companies do not survive, have a high turnover of staff, and their business model is only thought out in the short term.

Only you can judge what to do, it's up to your OH to have a friendly chat with his people about it.

Hope that helps and reassures that help is given and is entirely reasonable Any company worth their weight would offer in the region of £5k - £10k+ for relocation.

Savvy_Sue

Remember that if he is given a company car, it's no longer the tax perk it used to be, so factor in the extra tax he'll have to pay before you decide how big a pay rise to ask for!

Good luck!

cosyc

If you go on the AA web site they do a comparison of how much to run your own car as against the tax cost of a company car.

It's a shame you won't consider moving to Scunthorpe, I go with work regularly. There are some beautiful country villages to live in, cheap housing, good road links, good schools, and the people are very freindly.

Your OH could be home from work with less stress from less commuting.

Astaroth

It is worth checking with his HR department what their company policy is on job relocation. I know the policy with my employers is that if your role is moved which incures an extra 20% of costs but keeps the overall journey below 2 hours then the company will pay the additional transport costs for 1 year. If it takes your journey over 2 hours or there is no mode of transport then it is an offer of a relocation package or redundency.

Spendless

I notice you have children. The company car and any other related 'extras' such as fuel allowance are added on as income for the purpose of tax credits. This is in addition to you already paying quite a lot of tax for them, so you could end up with a lower salary (due to taxation) but less tax credits as you are adding on company car.


In our case car, fuel (we don't have to pay for any) and BUPA add £7K on to hubbys income:eek: