Work expenses 15 January 2020 at 4:35PM edited 30 November -1 at 12:00AM in Debt-Free Wannabe 18 replies 1.4K views

vintagegirl

Hi there I wondered how you would deal with this. I gave my budget sorted out the way I want but I have a few work trips I need to go away for.
I need to at petrol, hotel and some meals in advance and claim it back. That can add up and takes anything up to a month to claim back,
What would you do?

pramsay13

Dip into savings
Use a credit card
Ask work for an advance

Not in any particular order

comeandgo

Can your employer not book your hotel on a bed and breakfast with evening meal direct and pay?

vintagegirl

comeandgo wrote: »

Can your employer not book your hotel on a bed and breakfast with evening meal direct and pay?

No we have to book and claim back

elsien

So what happens if you tell them you're not able to do that?

vintagegirl

elsien wrote: »

So what happens if you tell them you're not able to do that?

Not sure never askEd. I probably wouldn’t because it would be embarrassing as other people are going with me

kazmeister

vintagegirl wrote: »

Not sure never asked. I probably wouldn’t because it would be embarrassing as other people are going with me

They might be just as pleased that you asked!

DD265

I don't travel much for work at the moment, but I used to have a work expenses category in my budget. Work will book hotels directly, and I have a separate fuel category, so it was only food I needed to worry about and the bills weren't huge. I would take it out of my discretionary spending budget, then put the money back in when it had been repaid.

If you have to travel regularly, or the bills end up being very large, I think you need to talk to HR/finance about having a direct booking system at work, or a company credit card.

2e0arr

when i started a job out of university i was told id have to reclaim expenses and get paid following month. i checked companies employee handbook and my contract and nothing about expenses.

it was difficult for me because i was on 12 month probation.

i told the truth i had mortgage wife child cats and overdraft maxed out. i asked would they pay me an advance of expenses and they did. Yet second time i asked they gave me a company credit card.

you cannot be disciplined or sacked for not having money to pay for your companies business.

Unicorn_cottage

If you are not happy to speak to your employer would a credit card option be open to you?

sunflowerlady

Ask your HR department for an advance to cover these costs and then provide them with VAT receipts for everything you spend. Any shortfall they can then deduct from your salary.