Part time Job & company car

Sallyanne100

Hi,

Looking for some advice. I work part-time in my job, and my colleague who has the same job title and works full time has a company car and I do not.

There has been some changes in the company recently which involves issuing of new contracts etc - due to re-structure and changes in company policy. At present I am the only one who has not had a new contract (still under negotiation - I.e they want me to do more hours, and I am undecided - have until next month to confirm). That aside, today I was told that my job and my colleagues job didn’t warrant a company car as it was not needed for our position. But despite a change of new contracts they would not be taking the car off my colleague when the time is up. They stated that it wouldn’t be saving the company anything by taking it away from my colleague. But I do know that originally they asked for her to give it up.

I want to know where I stand, are they within their rights, in that one person has a benefit and the other doesn’t? There has never been any monetary value or an equivalent pro rata car allowance/pay rise discussed or documented for myself (and they do not offer company car allowance). I just want to make sure they are not being unfair or if I need to push further on it. I have over the past year raised the car issue a number of times, and they know it is a ‘sore point’.

Note: my colleague inherited the car from the last person who left - that persons job title was different. As I said we both were given identical titles and the car was offered as part of her job offer. I was promoted, but told as I was part time a car was not required.

Appreciate any knowledge on this subject.
Thanks

TELLIT01

The company is probably correct in saying that it wouldn't save them any money by taking the car off the other employee. Vehicles are normally supplied on a fixed term contract and will have to be paid for whether it is used or not. On that basis it makes sense to allow the employee to continue using it.
I was in exactly the same situation of the company deciding we didn't need cars any more, and there is really nothing much you can do about it. Our area was restructured and the company reckoned 1 pool car between 4 people would be enough. As we were a support team covering premises throughout the South West of England and South Wales we had our doubts! When the new system didn't work they tried to tell us we had to use our own cars. We refused and they had to hire a 2nd car if there was an urgent call and the pool car was already in use. I dare say it did save them money by doing so, but it resulted in poor service to our users. We went from responding to any call within 4 working hours to anything up to 3 days for what were termed 'non-critical' calls.

Sallyanne100

The new structure & new contract says we are both in a particular salary banding, and that we get a car (if our job requires it). The meeting I had yesterday I was told that we did not need to have a car for our job. But my colleague still has hers - our company buys them outright, not through lease. I am not bothered about having a company car - had several in previous roles (and I brought a new one last year).. but I want to make sure the monetary value of this perk is addressed. As it appears I am obviously having running costs, insurance etc, and she doesn’t. I thought if a decision has been made that we do not have cars in our position, why does one of us still have one? I am just trying to understand the process - and for the future if I do go full time, then this will not be offered as part of the deal/renumeration (whereas my counterpart already has it, with over 15 years less experience than myself). I thought logic would be that the car goes back and you would be given this ‘ perk’ value as an increase in you salary. I am having to use my own car for business use - but was also told for the future there is a pool car for everyone to use if required. Is this a case of me having to accept how it is or can I question the company further?

Kevie192

If you don't need a car for your job, you can't reasonable expect them to give you one or the equivalent in cash.

What your colleague has negotiated at the time she was offered the position isn't really any of your business; all you can do is try to negotiate on your own terms. If you found out you earned the equivalent of £20k more than her per year, would you happily take a pay cut to make it 'fair'?

What do you want to achieve from this? The company have said you don't need a car and won't be given one, so the only think I can see you're trying to achieve is have your colleagues car taken away. "If I can't have one, nobody can". Seems a bit childish to me.

Comms69

Sallyanne100 wrote: »

The new structure & new contract says we are both in a particular salary banding, and that we get a car (if our job requires it). The meeting I had yesterday I was told that we did not need to have a car for our job. But my colleague still has hers - our company buys them outright, not through lease. I am not bothered about having a company car - had several in previous roles (and I brought a new one last year).. but I want to make sure the monetary value of this perk is addressed. As it appears I am obviously having running costs, insurance etc, and she doesn’t. I thought if a decision has been made that we do not have cars in our position, why does one of us still have one? I am just trying to understand the process - and for the future if I do go full time, then this will not be offered as part of the deal/renumeration (whereas my counterpart already has it, with over 15 years less experience than myself). I thought logic would be that the car goes back and you would be given this ‘ perk’ value as an increase in you salary. I am having to use my own car for business use - but was also told for the future there is a pool car for everyone to use if required. Is this a case of me having to accept how it is or can I question the company further?

Do you get mileage?


To be frank you are not entitled to the same as she is. The employer is free to discriminate, as long as it's lawful.

Caz3121

Sallyanne100 wrote: »

but I want to make sure the monetary value of this perk is addressed. As it appears I am obviously having running costs, insurance etc, and she doesn’t. I thought if a decision has been made that we do not have cars in our position, why does one of us still have one? I am just trying to understand the process - and for the future if I do go full time, then this will not be offered as part of the deal/renumeration (whereas my counterpart already has it, with over 15 years less experience than myself). I thought logic would be that the car goes back and you would be given this ‘ perk’ value as an increase in you salary. I am having to use my own car for business use - but was also told for the future there is a pool car for everyone to use if required. Is this a case of me having to accept how it is or can I question the company further?

Your colleague will be taxed on the car as a benefit in kind so it is not a free perk..
Does the company pay different mileage rates for company and private vehicles? usually rates for personal car are higher.
Have you claimed the tax relief for your business mileage (colleague won't be able to)
Sounds good that they have put a pool car in place as you will no longer have to use your own vehicle for business and since pool cars tend to be left at the place of work, there would be no benefit in kind tax impact

Sallyanne100

Thanks, I fully understand that you have to pay monthly tax on this as a benefit-in-kind, as I previously had company cars. Its one of those things I guess having a new car and having to put business mileage on it - certainly doesn’t help with the depreciation. I will definitely look into the tax relief on the business mileage you mentioned.

Comms69

Sallyanne100 wrote: »

Thanks, I fully understand that you have to pay monthly tax on this as a benefit-in-kind, as I previously had company cars. Its one of those things I guess having a new car and having to put business mileage on it - certainly doesn’t help with the depreciation. I will definitely look into the tax relief on the business mileage you mentioned.

depreciation in modern cars is most commonly down to age rather than mileage.


if you look to sell in 5 years for example similar cars with 50,000 and 80,000 miles are often priced in the same range.

scdandem

I do hope you got this sorted. Under UK law you are absolutely entitled to be treated equally as a part time worker in terms of benefits, INCLUDING company cars. This link will give you all the relevant details https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/part-time-workers-rights. Hope that helps. I fully appreciate your frustration here and it is absolutely not childish!

Comms69

scdandem wrote: »

I do hope you got this sorted. Under UK law you are absolutely entitled to be treated equally as a part time worker in terms of benefits, INCLUDING company cars. This link will give you all the relevant details https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/part-time-workers-rights. Hope that helps. I fully appreciate your frustration here and it is absolutely not childish!

You're incorrect.


As with everything it's down to negotiation and business needs

TELLIT01

I'm wondering what's coming next when an post from over a year ago is reopened? Link to "No win, no fee" perhaps.