Money Moral Dilemma: Should I be compensated for buying work items in my own time?

MSE_Sarah

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

I regularly use my cash to buy items I need for work, then claim it back. My employer doesn't reimburse me for the time or travel, only the item's cost. Yet I often do it in my own time, and I pay petrol and car running costs to get them.

Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be enjoyed as a point of debate and discussed at face value.

If you haven't already, join the forum to reply!

Got a money moral dilemma of your own? [URL="mailto: mmd@moneysavingexpert.com"]Suggest an MMD[/URL].

[purplesignup][/purplesignup]

fibonarchie

I think it would get too complicated if you started charging for your time. If you had to travel a long way to get whatever item it was, then maybe yes, ask them to refund the travel cost.

Comms69

Just refuse and make your employer source your tools?

HampshireH

Do it in work time instead?

Savvy_Sue

If I had to make a special journey to get something very particular that couldn't be sourced online then my employer MIGHT re-imburse me. But generally I find myself passing a shop sells something I need, so I pop in and buy it in my own time.

Heck, I've even sent DH to buy stuff in HIS own time. :rotfl: And yesterday he made a detour to work to deliver something I'd bought over the weekend which was too heavy to carry in on the train.

If I wasn't happy about the situation, I'd stop doing it.

phillw

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

If I had to make a special journey to get something very particular that couldn't be sourced online then my employer MIGHT re-imburse me. But generally I find myself passing a shop sells something I need, so I pop in and buy it in my own time.

It doesn't sound like it's very much of your time. So I wouldn't expect to be paid, unless the employer does things like docking your wages if you take a personal call during work time or timing your toilet breaks.

NCC-1701

Marriage, Relationships & Families??? Not seeing it.

kazt2006

Initially I would have said no as when you buy items yourself you are usually bypassing the financial procedures in place within the organisation.

Having said that, I was arranging something for my boss last year that required a visit to one of the local large supermarkets and I live over 7 miles from this branch. It was also Saturday. I knew I couldn!!!8217;t claim for my time but I put a mileage claim which he agreed was reasonable.

I!!!8217;m guessing you are perhaps a teacher or similar if you are constantly buying !!!8220;urgent!!!8221; things! On this, I would say better planning and all that!!!!

happyinflorida

You don't say what your work is or what items you are constantly buying in order to be able to do your job.

Why isn't your employer supplying what you need? I'd ask for that to be done if you aren't happy buying stuff in your own time.


When you get a payrise, assuming you do and your annual talk with your boss comes along, do they recognise how much of your own time you are spending in getting items for your job and that you're not paid for your time when doing this, so are you given a higher payrise because of what you are doing?


If not, why not.


If you're not being paid for your time or travelling expenses to get items then you should be given a higher payrise to compensate.


How much time are you spending?


Does it mean you don't get time to do what you want to do or seeing friends and relatives suffers?


It's your choice at the end of the day, if you're not happy with the situation, look for another job.

Ian181676

If you're making a special journey to buy things, it's clearly business mileage, so your employer ought to reimburse the cost if they expect you to go and buy the items.

If you employer won't reimburse you when asked I'd stop making the journeys and buying the items. If you choose to continue making the journeys at your own expense you should at least claim tax relief on the cost of making them.

markandkate

Do,you hand over the nectar points or points from your credit card to your employer? I think it's a quid pro quo you get the reward points and possibly time out of the office to go and buy the items, you may well do some of your own shopping at the same time