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

jmclusky

As Ian181676 said, you should be getting reimbursed for business miles. However you should also make sure that you have business insurance as otherwise if you are involved in an accident then your insurance may not be valid!

hb2

I think this partly depends on how the employee is treated in general.

My work used to provide tea/coffee and biscuits (sometimes cake), allow some calls in/out during work time and not clock watch if I wanted to leave 10 minutes early (although it was more common for me to miss half of my lunchbreak and leave 10 minutes late!). Reps used to provide things like pens and sticky pads and we were allowed to take a reasonable amount of personal use.

I was being treated well so was happy to pick up things for work when I was doing my own shopping and didn't always/often ask for reimbursement if the cost was minimal.

My attitude would have been different if I had to provide my own tea/coffee/biscuits; if toilet breaks were timed; if my employer insisted I stayed until the last minute, even though I was always in 30 minutes early etc

As usual, this depends so much on the nuances, which we will never hear as this is one of the 'dilemmas' posted by MSE, rather than by a real member of the forum!

lizbec

I used to clean and manage a couple of holiday cottages. The owner lived in London. I often had to buy various supplies and would always add travel costs when I invoiced her. However, that was a private arrangement, not sure how you'd go about it if it's more "normal" employment. I think I'd be inclined to try and do it during working hours if that's possible

ska_lover

online shopping during work hours

hazyjo

Was also going to suggest online shopping. There's really not much you can't order online these days - often with next day delivery.


White lie won't hurt in this case. 'My car sounded dodgy on the way in, I don't want to risk it' or 'can't go tonight as out doing something'. There's nothing they can make you do in your own time, just say you have plans and you'll order it online for next day delivery instead.

crmism

Without having some better idea what your job is, and what items you need to buy to perform it, the chances of your getting the answer you want is like measuring a piece of string; so much depends on the kind of employment and most importantly the terms of your employment contract.

Might I suggest you resubmit your question in a little more detail?

ptrichardson

If you're doing it for work, and you've been asked to do so, you shouldn't be expected to use your own time.

Either do it in work hours, or agree to take the time back at a time that's suitable for the business. For example, every Friday afternoon.

As for the travel costs, you could get mileage, but as someone else pointed out, you'd need to add the option on your insurance, so possibly not worth it.

silvercar

ska_lover wrote: »

online shopping during work hours

^^^ This. Or say you will leave 10 minutes early and pop to the shops on your way home.