How late in the day is it reasonable to expect staff to travel by public transport?

nearlyrich

Maybe the employer is feeling the pinch from the recessions and are looking at cutting costs. I am a petitie woman who often stays alone is hotels for work, I do sometimes use the train but I drive a company car and leave it at the station or get my hubby to drop me and collect me.

We just had a general email saying keep expenses to a minimum and we are doing well at the moment but you can only spend it once.

persa

There is a tax break where employers provide taxis for employees working late, which I must stress won't apply here, as the late nights have to be irregular to qualify for the relief... But I mention it because as a result, HMRC have provided some guidance on when they feel an employee shouldn't have to use public transport. It may give you a better feel for what most would consider (un)reasonable:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM21834.htm

BillyB

I don't think you should be expected to travel that late on public transport, especially since it was not the case when you got the job. Being young and female myself I wouldn't be happy doing that, especially in cities. Knowing my nearest city, its not usually that safe during the day!

C_Mababejive

In this fair country of ours,you should feel free to travel without let or hindrance at any hour and those who run transport infrastructure do their utmost to ensure that this is so. If you feel nervous or intimidated then perhaps do some reading and practice your stance,body language,signalling.

Lets be honest,it doesnt have to be dark/late to be attacked and that goes for anyone of any age/sex/race.

Wyndham

Dunroamin wrote: »

If there's public transport running then it's reasonable to expect staff to use it.

I'm afraid that I think that your attitude does women in the workplace a great disservice.

I think that's unfair. It's also not just a gender based issue - the same rules should apply to men going home late as well. It's about safety in the whole situation, not just how one person feels. A risk assessment should be done, because it does depend on the route used.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

Dunroamin wrote: »

If there's public transport running then it's reasonable to expect staff to use it.

I'm afraid that I think that your attitude does women in the workplace a great disservice.

It's not the workplace the OP has an issue with - it's the wider public and them also being on public transport.

OP - ask for the risk assessment on this and the reasoning behind changing their advice; and the controls that they are putting in place to manage the risk. ie if the meeting finishes at x o'clock, could someone drop you at the station and can you put a taxi on expenses for your journey from station to home?

ValHaller

persa wrote: »

There is a tax break where employers provide taxis for employees working late, which I must stress won't apply here, as the late nights have to be irregular to qualify for the relief... But I mention it because as a result, HMRC have provided some guidance on when they feel an employee shouldn't have to use public transport. It may give you a better feel for what most would consider (un)reasonable:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM21834.htm

I think that the relief probably would apply here - as OP describes it, I would describe the meetings as 'irregular' and also they are not to or from a regular place of work. OP is certainly not taxable on a taxi from wherever back to her regular place of work.

LE3

I don't think it is unreasonable to expect staff to use public transport if it is running, whatever the time. I would expect a taxi to/from the station either end & contingency plans in case of late/missed trains
Sorry, but being female has nothing to do with it - plenty of females are out late at night on trains etc!

persa

ValHaller wrote: »

I think that the relief probably would apply here - as OP describes it, I would describe the meetings as 'irregular' and also they are not to or from a regular place of work. OP is certainly not taxable on a taxi from wherever back to her regular place of work.

I could be wrong, but I got the impression there was an established pattern of working past 9pm every day and having to travel via public transport. The relief is meant for the odd occasion, it sounds like this is normal for the OP?

No idea what she does for a living to warrant such odd hours, but I'm really surprised there hasn't been a risk assessment...

burnoutbabe

however I am sure most of us would not feel happy being dropped at the nearest station, when its an unknown one, no one else there and you could have 30 mins until the next train.

wanting to avoid unmanned stations when late and dark seems reasonable (though its fine at the other end as you can arrange a taxi to collect you from there at the right time)