Can my employer come to my house unannounced?

Keiths1985

Hoping someone can help me.

I had to go to my companies head office today (a 200 mile round trip) and broke down on the way there. I called and kept them informed of my situation.

My area manager was at my office today and I've found out she didn't believe I had broken down. As my house is close, a colleague took her there to see if I was there or my car was. My car was there because I had taken my girlfriends and so she thinks I'm making it up. I know she turned up at my house as my neighbour saw her and told me.

I didn't attend the meeting as I got towed home and called to try and rearrange it for tomorrow instead and I would get a train.

My question I this, is she allowed to go to my house unannounced? Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

somethingcorporate

Not very professional but I cannot see what laws you think they'd be breaking.

swingaloo

I don't suppose there is anything to stop anyone driving past your house to see if your car is there, although I think actually knocking on your door may be a different issue for instance if you are off sick.

How does your neighbour know it was your area manager?

bap98189

It may not be the best management, but it's not illegal.

Surely your problem is easy to solve. If you were towed home you must have some paperwork from the breakdown company. Just show her that.

SailorSam

He can come in for a coffee if he wants, but there again i may just leave him standing at the door.

Keiths1985

Thank you to all above for the replies.

It was never a question of legality, more whether this is common practice as it seems unusual to me? Are there any HR guidelines or anything similar that should be followed?

My record with the company is exemplary and there is no reason I know of why they wouldn't trust what I'd told them. Yes I do have paperwork from the AA but don't feel as if I should have to prove that what I said happened actually did!

Obvious I will bring up my dissatisfaction about it when I'm back in the office.

SAHD_Jim

Keiths1985 wrote: »

Thank you to all above for the replies.

It was never a question of legality, more whether this is common practice as it seems unusual to me? Are there any HR guidelines or anything similar that should be followed?

My record with the company is exemplary and there is no reason I know of why they wouldn't trust what I'd told them. Yes I do have paperwork from the AA but don't feel as if I should have to prove that what I said happened actually did!

Obvious I will bring up my dissatisfaction about it when I'm back in the office.

It certainly wouldn't be typical behaviour, especially if an employee has a spotless record.

In terms of having to prove anything, is your car a company car? If it is then there would rightfully be questions over why take a different one (especially as it then broke down). If not then it is whether you are happy for the suspicion to persist, or whether you'd rather take the moral high ground by showing them the proof.

You definitely want to ask why the suspicion, that's for sure.

iclayt

Personally if I had paperwork proving it I would be photocopying it and flinging it around her office like confetti with a smug grin on my face.

Well, placing one copy on her desk at least.

If you have proof it just makes her look the fool for taking time out of her day to go and snoop on you, so don't hesitate to provide it. Without it, who knows what she's adding to your current exemplary record?

While not illegal it is a pretty low thing to do to an employee with no prior history of 'car trouble' or 'sudden food poisoning' etc. If I was an employer with one of those sorts of employees, and I suspected I was being had every time, yes I think I might pop by for a drive out of curiosity.

InsideInsurance

It isnt typical behaviour but yes a person, boss or otherwise, would be allowed to come to your house once unannounced. Obviously if it starts becoming a more frequent event then it may be considered harassment, stalking etc

Presumably after your car was recovered you then went into the office anyway to finish off your day?

Keiths1985

SAHD_Jim wrote: »

It certainly wouldn't be typical behaviour, especially if an employee has a spotless record.

In terms of having to prove anything, is your car a company car? If it is then there would rightfully be questions over why take a different one (especially as it then broke down). If not then it is whether you are happy for the suspicion to persist, or whether you'd rather take the moral high ground by showing them the proof.

You definitely want to ask why the suspicion, that's for sure.

It's not a company car, it's my own.

I will take my paperwork in tomorrow, I think I'll photocopy it and pin one on her noticeboard to make my point.

McKneff

Keiths1985 wrote: »

It's not a company car, it's my own.

I will take my paperwork in tomorrow, I think I'll photocopy it and pin one on her noticeboard to make my point.

No need for that now really, is there, youre gonna make a prat of yourself and alienate your self for any future treatment.


Just ask politely and with dignity if she requires the proof that you broke down and see what she says.