Return to work.

Corsasri

Hello I have been told I need to return to work by my employer. I have been furloughed since lockdown and being told to start my duty at a different location and 45 minutes drive to my new location. And it’s the drive to the new location that I can’t do. I’m not refusing to return to work but refusing to travel the 45 minute travel time to the new location. But I would return to work if it was at my original place of employment. 

I don’t know what I can do. Any advice. 

Gary

Grumpy_chap

Hello Gary, you will need to share a lot more information to allow people to provide meaningful comments.  
What type of company?
What is your role?
How far is it to the normal place of work?
How did you previously travel to work?
Location type, urban, rural, big city?
Is the normal place of work reopening?
Can you work from home?
If refusal to work at the new location means no job, how will you react?
What outcome would you ideally like?

The_Fat_Controller

What does your employment contract say about your work location ?

Corsasri

Hello Gary, you will need to share a lot more information to allow people to provide meaningful comments. 

What type of company? Public transport........

What is your role? Bus driver.......

How far is it to the normal place of work? One Mile.........

How did you previously travel to work? Drive/walk/cycle........

Location type, urban, rural, big city?

Newbury, Berkshire  new location Reading, Berkshire..........

Is the normal place of work reopening? Yes but not for my service........

Can you work from home? No.........

If refusal to work at the new location means no job, how will you react? I would ask for redundency

What outcome would you ideally like? to work from my old location

Jeremy535897

You say that your old place of work is reopening, but not for your service. Does this mean your original job doesn't exist? If so, the role would appear to be redundant, and they have offered you an alternative role. Is this a fair assessment?

45 minutes of commuting is modest compared with a lot of people, but is a big change from your perspective. How long have you been working for your employer? Are you in a union? If so, what do they say?

Semple

Also is the relocation temporary? I.e. Will the route be back eventually - when things are perhaps a bit normal?

If so, does that change your opinion on the relocation? A slightly longer (but certainly not excessive) commute for short term. 

Diamandis

The_Fat_Controller said:

What does your employment contract say about your work location ?

This is the question that needs answered. 

Dr_Crypto

It’s down to your contract. Does it say bus driver based at Newbury or does it say Bus Driver working from whichever depot as directed? 

sweetsand

Dear OP
I'm very sorry to hear about your situation.
Sadly, every major business that has more than a few employees will have  bit in their contract about working from a different site and therefore you have no option.  Look it up and if you do have that stand clause, speak with a manager/etc and tell them about this impacting on your work, life blanace and possibly other items if applicable, EG, caring for an elderly relative, etc - remain polite and tell them how you love your job and it would be grateful for their help.
I hope it works out for you.

ATB
x

pink_fluffy_sparkles

Will your travel time be included as part of your shift? If my employeers want to send me to another location they have to oay me both time and travel costs to do so for 3 years 

Thrugelmir

Read your contract of employment. Majority provide for a degree of flexibility.