Are employers legally bound to pay for your travel expenses after a Xmas meal/party ?

LittleVoice

keyser666 wrote: »

Your final statement saying no-one can claim on you surely? sounds like you are unsure.

As I said I know that companies do get tax relief for parties.

As for employees claiming money in lieu of not wanting to go, I know from experience that this is the case. As to whether it is legislation or part of the tax break I did say I stand to be corrected if legislation or has changed

I think the allowance has gone up to £150 - but the expenditure has to be on the event not a payment in lieu to those who don't attend.

See http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/paye/exb/a-z/s/social-functions.htm

keyser666

LittleVoice wrote: »

I think the allowance has gone up to £150 - but the expenditure has to be on the event not a payment in lieu to those who don't attend.

See http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/paye/exb/a-z/s/social-functions.htm

Thanks LittleVoice I appreciate that. Not sure how companies got around giving payment in lieu, I do recall it was added to their payslips so looks like the law may have changed. I have been contracting for nearly 9 years now so was some time ago and I remember only a few took the offer up

BobQ

Kynthia wrote: »

I'm wondering what 'law' the OP thinks covers this? lol

I've been working for a lot of years now and have never had a Christmas party provided by work.

Its not a law but it is an HMRC rule on taxation of expenses.

An employer may pay for their staff to attend a Christmas Party. If they chose to do so and provided they do not spend more than a certain amount (I think its £150) per head they the employer can claim it as a business expense. If it costs more than the allowed amount the employee is deemed to get a taxable benefit from the Party and must pay tax on it.

Whether the employer can provide transport home as part of this I do not know.

However, the employer is not obliged to do anything at all since even with tax relief they are still paying money for the meal.

The OP has clearly been lucky enough to work for such a generous employer.

agrinnall

purplepardalis wrote: »

I also used to work somewhere that put on taxis home for you at the Christmas party.

So, it does happen!

Me too (party at the Natural History Museum and a taxi home, south of the river), and I was a contractor at the time! Mind you, this was in 1994, working at a global bank, I think they may have cut back on perks like this since then :beer:.

Hmm71

I've never worked anywhere that's paid for transport home after a Christmas do, never mind paying for the party itself.

C_Mababejive

In these litigeous times,i wonder if one could construct an argument that if an employer arranges a social function in work time, and at which alcohol is served,could there be a liability perhaps vicarious, for any harm which came to the employee or any harm done by the employee as a result of drinking excessive amount of alcohol?

Sambucus_Nigra

I've worked for many places that not only paid for the 'do' but paid for the hotel after and let you take TOIL for the event and the travel back.

But the question was regarding 'are employers legally bound'. And no - they are not.

Daisy70

We have several xmas do's in our place, one of which is compulsory and is about as fun as watching paint dry.

It is held during the day as well so you can't even get drunk. as you have to go back to work afterwards.

The main xmas do for all staff is fun though once you can escape your immediate colleagues:beer: but I've never heard of a company putting on taxis to take people home. We have 5000 employees in my place so the company would go bankrupt taking everyone home:D

C_Mababejive

The idea of having a compulsory Christmas do is quite bizarre !

POPPYOSCAR

hilda1 wrote: »

I have just changed jobs.

My previous employer would always pay for travel home (for me normally a shared taxi) after a Xmas party/dinner.

My new employer has just advised of this year's Xmas dinner and party. However, they haven't mentioned paying for travel to home after the event.

Could someone please advise me whether they are legally obliged to pay for travel home after the event or whether it is a gesture of good will.

Many thanks.

I find it hard to take this question seriously TBH.