Employer says I have to pay back for cancelled hotel room

[Deleted User]

liney wrote: »

The statement was "If you are thinking.." Your response implied to me that you think you are safer because they won't get permission to replace you.

No, all I'm asking advice on is whether they can legally ask me to pay it back or not. I've never once said that I was either going to or not going to.

They haven't even officially asked me for it yet. It was just something that my line manager passed onto me that head office may be looking into getting the money back from me.

I've noticed a lot of people on this board seem to think everyone who does one step wrong should be sacked instantly because there is plenty of unemployment people jumping at the chance of a job.

Tiddlywinks

How bad were the road conditions? Was there an advisory warning issued by the Met Office for instance? Local radio, AA or RAC websites?

There have been occasions where I have agreed to go somewhere but then the weather has got in my way - snow etc - usually the Met office local maps can back up the severity of the conditions.

Why were you asked to go when there was a colleague located closer to the event?

liney

Deleted_User wrote: »

No, all I'm asking advice on is whether they can legally ask me to pay it back or not. I've never once said that I was either going to or not going to.

They haven't even officially asked me for it yet. It was just something that my line manager passed onto me that head office may be looking into getting the money back from me.

I've noticed a lot of people on this board seem to think everyone who does one step wrong should be sacked instantly because there is plenty of unemployment people jumping at the chance of a job.

Have you checked your contract concerning losses and personal responsibility? Have you called ACAS to ask about similar situations?
Have you consulted the Legal Helpline which is often included in your Household insurance if you have it?

Basically you want to know if you have to pay this, legally, so that you can refuse if they ask you. That's fine and dandy, but you are being warned that they may be serious repercussions if you refuse to play ball. Unless you can say hand on heart you never set a foot wrong these serious reprecussions may just become a consequence of something else 'officially'.

Uncertain

Deleted_User wrote: »

No, all I'm asking advice on is whether they can legally ask me to pay it back or not. I've never once said that I was either going to or not going to.

They haven't even officially asked me for it yet. It was just something that my line manager passed onto me that head office may be looking into getting the money back from me.

I've noticed a lot of people on this board seem to think everyone who does one step wrong should be sacked instantly because there is plenty of unemployment people jumping at the chance of a job.

In my view they probably cannot legally make you pay the money. By that I mean if you refuse to pay and they sue they will lose.

HOWEVER what they can do, with some justification, is take formal disciplinary action against you for your conduct.

Most employment contracts have something in them about a requirement to work off site, travel etc. Even if your contract doesn't you agreed to make the trip then refused without good reason. It think most employers would find this unreasonable.

I really wouldn't rock the boat!

bristol_pilot

Driving 200 miles in torrential rain is potentially very dangerous. I would be displeased if any of my staff DID NOT cancel the journey in such circumstances. In fact someone on my staff is doing such a journey next week - he is under strict instructions to cancel if it snows badly. I am fully aware that some hotel costs will be incurred if this happens. I feel sure that those posting to say that the OP should have been made to travel do not themselves personally have any line management responsibilites. The Company has a duty of care to its employees. Forcing someone to travel in adverse weather conditions, in the event of an accident, could lead to the Company being held liable and even jail time for the line manager involved.

Unintentional

bristol_pilot wrote: »

Driving 200 miles in torrential rain is potentially very dangerous. I would be displeased if any of my staff DID NOT cancel the journey in such circumstances. In fact someone on my staff is doing such a journey next week - he is under strict instructions to cancel if it snows badly. I am fully aware that some hotel costs will be incurred if this happens. I feel sure that those posting to say that the OP should have been made to travel do not themselves personally have any line management responsibilites. The Company has a duty of care to its employees. Forcing someone to travel in adverse weather conditions, in the event of an accident, could lead to the Company being held liable and even jail time for the line manager involved.

He did not describe the conditions as torrential rain. He said "It was dark and raining so I wasn't up for it" giving most people the impression that he simply couldn't be bothered.

bristol_pilot

Yes, I agree that he didn't put it very well. Making it look like he couldn't be bothered, rather than behaving correctly with regard to safety.

bigpound

I'm surprised they didn't just notify you that they were deducting it from your pay with a slap on the wrist.

RadoJo

I suppose you could say that £70 is the price you pay for your safety - if you weren't prepared to make the drive because you thought it was dangerous, but your employer did not agree, then you demonstrating that you are prepared to stand by your opinion by paying the £70 would support your position that it was a safety concern rather than simply a case of 'not fancying it'.