Interview expenses - what can I do?

amandathomson

I had an interview back in early January for which I was told I could claim up to £50 in travel expenses. Now 11 weeks later and I still haven't had anything from them. The only person I have had contact with is someone from HR who I have been e-mailing - she is the one who confirmed I would be able to claim back my expenses.

I contacted them about a month after my interview as I hadn't received any feedback or my expenses and was told they would chase it up. Again 2 weeks later I'd heard nothing so I did the same but this time was told that the job had been put on hold but my expenses had been processed.

Another month has passed and I am still yet to receive my expenses so I e-mailed them again at the end of last week but this time was told that they were having difficulty finding my expenses claim; I haven't heard from them since.

It's just frustrating more than anything, it cost me about £35 so it's not a huge amount, but when you're unemployed it's a lot of money to lose. I just don't know where I stand or who I can contact about it. I gave in my expenses form and all my receipts on the day of the interview so unfortunately I don't have copies of anything.

I'm just wondering how to proceed with this. I know it's entirely at the company's discretion whether or not to cover interview expenses but I have confirmation in an e-mail that this would be provided. Also, if my expenses were supposedly processed in February - why haven't I received them, and why now are they having difficulty finding them? :mad:

sammyroser

Not much you can do I'm afraid if you didn't take copy of the receipts.

Always make sure in future you photocopy everything.

MrSnuggles

Photocopies won't help. You'll need the original receipts.

DreamerV

My union used to lose my claims, but eventually let me scan in copies of the tickets themselves (I'd kept them incase they lost my claim, as I didn't trust them). It took ages to sort but did happen. I find as long as you can prove you paid, they're happy to refund (just a bit disorganised). Hopefully this is the case here too. Do you have proof in way of a bank/credit card statement showing payment to a travel company perhaps? I was allowed to scan my proof and eventually got paid the day after the scan.

MoneySavingUser

MrSnuggles wrote: »

Photocopies won't help. You'll need the original receipts.

I have sent in scans in the past

john539

Phone then & give them a mouth full.

Don't puss yfoot around with muppets.

yvonne13_2

I maybe wrong but if you are unemployed doesn't the job center where you sign on give you the money to get to interviews?

amandathomson

The Job Centre did offer as the interview was over 90 mins away but the company offered so I thought better to go with them. Obviously not...

I wish I had asked them to copy my receipts now, I just thought handing them in on the day would be reasonably secure as they couldn't get lost in the post etc.

I think I paid for the train ticket on my debit card but the taxi fare cost me £20 and they just gave me receipts there and then. It just annoys me when one minute they've been processed and the next they've been lost?! Just feels like they're fobbing me off.

I would ring them but I'd have to ask this HR girl I'm e-mailing for a contact number and I'd probably get some other excuse, unless I just ring the main reception and ask who I'd need to speak to...might be an idea!

t0rt0ise

Phone every day and they will get fed up with you and pay you, even if they have to raid the petty cash to do so. It works all the time where I work.. not in financial situations, but the people who shout the loudest always get their way.

amandathomson

It seems pestering pays off, got expenses back today :beer: thanks for the help!

an9i77

Just keep nagging them, eventually they'll be so fed up of you ringing up every few days 'for an update' that they'll sort it out.
If they don't, you can get pleasure in annoying the *** out of them for a little longer by phoning up every few days for an update.

I tried this once with a landlord who woudln't give my deposit back, and it worked a treat.