Advice required Re: travel costs not being reimbursed by employer

stubs

My partner is currently working in a private nursery as a “nursery officer”. She was called by work last week (whilst we were on holiday) to be informed that she would accompanying the children on day trips starting this week. The trips vary each day, but for the majority they are being asked to take the children on public transport. Parents have paid money for each child to cover travel and entry costs.

This morning my partner was told that the staff would have to pay their own travel costs for each of the trips out. When she asked if it would be reimbursed to them, she was told no. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but I estimate it could cost her up to £50 for the trips they have planned. Considering she’s on little more than minimum wage, £50 is quite a lot to her. It’s twice as much as it costs her in fuel for a week!

Does anyone have any experience in employment law and could possibly help identify where she stands on this issue and what her rights are as an employee? Surely if the trips are to be at cost to the staff, shouldn’t they offer an alternative option for those not wanting to bear the expense?

Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated, as we’re both a little confused and upset at this.

getmore4less

Ask for the risk assesment and certificate of insurance that cover these trips.

Not on, tell them don't pay we don't go, get more money off the parents to cover the costs of the supervision.

DVardysShadow

Either the employer pays up or the employees don't take the children. From the practical point of view, before the first trip, tell the employer that you will go the first time and you expect to be reimbursed. If the employer makes it clear at that point that there will be no reimbursement, then don't go. Otherwise, on return, write a brief letter itemising the expenses and asking for reimbursement. Keep a copy.

Only go on further trips if the employer pays up.

Oldernotwiser

Is she saving any money on her normal travel to work costs?

stubs

Thanks for the replys.
No, she will not be making any savings.. she drives to work.
She is expected to travel to work as normal, and then when the children arrive, the staff then accompany and supervise them. Thus, she is not able to use her car and must travel using the same method as the children (which has been paid for by their parents)

stubs

I was of the same understanding as "getmore4less" - that the cost of each child should be slightly more to cover the staffing costs. That's how I remember school trips were organised when I was younger.

WestonDave

How long has she been working there? If its less than a year she may need to balance the desire to be reimbursed for losses, with the potential to lose the job altogether, given that they can dismiss her without it being unfair at any point until she has been there a year. Its unfair of the employer, but on occasions you need to consider whether to win the battle or the war - losing the job to save some expenses would not be wise!

stubs

She's been there for about 6/7 years I believe.
There's also been a couple of occasions recently where they've not been paid on time - with the blame being placed on the bank / the internet connection being down (2 times recently that spring to mind). And again today, some of the staff who started after a particular date were not paid, and have been promised the money tomorrow.
It seems like the place is being run with little concern towards the staff.

smileylondongal

As a parent who has a child at nursery, I know I'd have some major concerns about the way in which this nursery is run - it doesn't say much about their standards, I'm afraid.

WestonDave

Doesn't necessarily mean a lack of concern towards the staff - sounds to me like the business is struggling for funds/cashflow. Our local paper had a big article a week or so back about surplus places in nurseries and on another page a story about a pre-school that had been operating for 20 odd years closing due to lack of intake. With more people losing their jobs and going to part time work its undoubtedly getting harder for nurseries to survive by providing childcare to familes where both parents work full time. I'd be looking for another job personally especially if there is other evidence of shortage of money such as equipment not being repaired/replaced etc.

claire16c

Totally agree with getmore4less. The parents money should be covering her costs if the nursery isnt. I know when I went on school trips the parents costs covered the teachers.

If I was her I would just turn up at work, so they cant penalise her for that, but make sure I had no cash on me to pay this bus fare. They wont be able to go anywhere if they dont cough up the cash for her. Or she could say shes happy to drive to the place theyre going but they will have to get the kids there without her.