Employer says I have to pay back for cancelled hotel room

[Deleted User]

Employer wanted me to travel half way down the country a few weeks ago and was going to put me in a hotel over night. The day before I was due to go, I told them I was not up to doing it. They sent someone else that was nearer who didn't need a hotel room instead.

Now head office have come back and said that they were unable to cancel the hotel room. Therefore they want me to reimburse them the seventy-odd pound they say it costed.

Can they do this?

They haven't supplied me with an invoice as proof or anything like that yet.

Googlewhacker

So you said Yes and then at the last moment you decided you couldn't go or were you ill?

[Deleted User]

Googlewhacker wrote: »

So you said Yes and then at the last moment you decided you couldn't go?

Basically.

eckythump

wow
I would pay up sharpish while you still have a job.

C_Mababejive

Deleted_User wrote: »

Basically.

What?


You mean you were ill and therefore went off sick,thus preventing your attendance at the remote location?

[Deleted User]

C_Mababejive wrote: »

What?


You mean you were ill and therefore went off sick,thus preventing your attendance at the remote location?

No I wasn't ill. I just didn't fancy the 200 mile drive in the dark and pouring rain when the time came.

I know it was probably wrong of me. I'm just wondering what the legality is of them asking me to pay back the hotel room.

C_Mababejive

Deleted_User wrote: »

No I wasn't ill. I just didn't fancy the 200 mile drive in the dark and pouring rain when the time came.

I know it was probably wrong of me. I'm just wondering what the legality is of them asking me to pay back the hotel room.

I see.

I guess it all hinges on how big a company it is and whether this little blot on your copy book might fade quickly.

In a smaller company,id say your heading for big trouble.

My view is that you did not act responsibly when you accepted this assignment but then cancelled at very short notice. The company are therefore apparently out of pocket.

It isnt a legal issue,its more of a moral one.

dawnybabes

I agree with the others - pay it whlst you still have a job ....

hob

did u tell your work that you just didnt feel like going? or did u say you were sick? imagen if u booked a holiday and then the pilot said naw i just dont wanna fly today you would expect your money back at leat right? im not sure if they can force you but they can fire you.

redcard

Most hotels will have a 24hr cancellation policy - you don't cancel at least 1 day before, you still pay whether you used the room or not.

You caused your employer a financial loss, and this is most definitely misconduct at best

smartpicture

I think you're lucky to be facing a request for money and not a disciplinary, frankly. Maybe they're just trying to make you pull your socks up and realise there are consequences to your action?

Although I would definitely ask for proof that they actually paid for the room before handing over any cash.