Travelling for work

MiaMollyMoo

Hi Guys,

Using a throw away account as I sometimes post on here for work purposes under a different user name.

I've recently had to begin travelling away at weekends for work. This is fine, I don't mind as I usually get to choose a day off in lieu or to be paid for it. My issue is that until this last week I was always able to leave work around an hour early in order to travel down. This is not a short journey, this is leaving my office in Sheffield and travelling down to several areas in London depending on where I am required to be. This is around 2-2.5 hours on the train or in the car and then up to a further 1 hour via tube/walking so it's quite a long journey.

On Friday I received an email from my immediate manager to be told that I would no longer be able to leave work early in order to travel. The thing is, i'm working 40-50 hour weeks in the office Monday to Friday and then travelling down to London to work Saturday and sometimes Sunday as well.

This causes huge disruption to my Friday night as even leaving an hour early I often get to the hotel around 8.30-9pm and only have time to eat, watch an hours TV and then go to bed.

This situation has really annoyed me and i've come to you guys looking for a little assistance. Am I entitled to ask for the travel time to be paid or to be taken off as time in lieu?

Thanks!

19lottie82

How long have you worked for this company?

Is the travelling mentioned at all in your contract?

I am no expert but I would ASSUME travel time can be at least taken off in time in lieu, it certainly is in my company, but I think it will all come down to what is written in your contract in regards to this directly, and also where your place of work is.

Also, you say you are already working 40-50 hours midweek. Have you opted out of the maximum 48 hour week? Basically an employer cannot force you to work more than 48 hours a week unless you sign a waiver.

Bear in mind though that you have little rights unless you have worked there for more than 2 years, if you haven't they can pretty much sack you without a reason.

MiaMollyMoo

I've worked there for over 3 years so i'm confident that if I said anything they can't just fire me on the spot.

I've not opted out of the working time regulations as it's unpaid overtime, as it's a small company the general consensus is that you work for as long as is needed to get the work done.

It does tend to be nearer to 40-45 hours but it does sometimes extend to 50 hours.

Smi1er

What does it say in your contract of employment or travel expenses policy? I would say the first hour of travel in each direction should be down to you, anything else in the companys time. Unless your manager status or above.

MiaMollyMoo

Being totally honest, I don't know. I've never seen or signed my contract so the clauses on there regarding travel I don't know.

sniggings

you should be allowed the time but is 1 hour really worth upsetting the boss over?

why not just put to your manager why you think it's unfair, it came across as reasonable here, so I can not see why your manager would take it any other way, if he can allow it then he might change his mind.

MiaMollyMoo

I will put it to them but when I get a little unhappy over a situation I tend to get a little ummm...arsey. So I wanted to see if there was any advice you lovely people had for me

sniggings

MiaMollyMoo wrote: »

I will put it to them but when I get a little unhappy over a situation I tend to get a little ummm...arsey. So I wanted to see if there was any advice you lovely people had for me

yeah same here :rotfl:

I think it's one of them things that don't really have a rule.

A lot of contract will have that you are expected to work in other offices etc, maybe read your contract see what it says, if it doesn't mention it, then it really just comes down to either the boss or you backing down, or you looking elsewhere for work

It makes a big difference in these situation the size of the company, if your boss has final say then, that's it, or if you can go over his head, all depends on the situation, even if there was a rule on this, most people would not want to enforce it as it tends to mark you out as a trouble maker, wrong I know but that's bosses for you.

Takeaway_Addict

MiaMollyMoo wrote: »

I will put it to them but when I get a little unhappy over a situation I tend to get a little ummm...arsey. So I wanted to see if there was any advice you lovely people had for me

Don't get arsey for a start.

Approach it practically and explain the importance of an hour to you and what you do extra for the company etc If they stick to their guns then you will have to decide how much of an issue it is for you.

InsideInsurance

Are you salaried or on an hourly rate?

What has changed that has resulted in you now doing weekend work away from home?

I travel a lot with my work and have never been explicitly paid for my travelling time but my overall remuneration does factor in the unsociable aspect of it and all my managers/ clients have been reasonable and flexible. On the whole they are quids in as they certainly get more than the contracted 40 hours even if occasionally a flight eats into the working day.

Ultimately you need to address your issues to your manager, discuss the changes that have happened recently and agree a best way forward, be that some more flexibility on working hours, a salary change to reflect your broader role etc