Should the employer pay for food expenses?

Stardustjunkie

My partner has travelled to a client today, leaving at 4am and won’t be back until 8/9pm tonight.

Approximately 5 hours will be travelling, then a day spent in the clients property. 

He took a sandwich and snacks but it’s a long manual day, without access to any kitchen facilities. He has spent about £15 on food for breakfast and dinner.

I work for a company that ensures staff have credit cards to pay for travel and food when out on business. Alternatively they refund expenses. This to me seems normal and appropriate behaviour from an employer but is it not?

Does the employer have an obligation to pay expenses when the staff member is away from the office, working an exceptionally long day/outside of their usual working hours.

Thanks 

oh_really

This should have been a discussion before setting off.

Stardustjunkie

oh_really said:

This should have been a discussion before setting off.

I’m more wondering if they have an obligation to provide food, or expenses to cover it.

I can guarantee they won’t if they don’t have to.

GeordieGeorge

No, there’s no legal requirement for your employer to cover it.

Sandtree

Employers aren't obliged to refund it unless they said in advance they will.

You may be able to claim tax relief on the expenses directly from HMRC https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/travel-and-overnight-expenses

74jax

My husband's work has a very generous expense policy, clearly in the handbook. As well as money for 3 meals, he gets paid for the extra travel time he does and also the same amount of time off.

My work paid a set amount for each meal and I got the time back I used for extra travelling. Again in handbook.

I'm one of those employees who likes to know all policies up front, so I would make a point of agreeing expenses up front. 

JamoLew

ushjr said:

I think employers should pay for lunch as standard. If I wasn't in the office then I'd be cooking my lunch for much cheaper. I dread to think how much I pay for my lunch each year. Today it cost me £10.50 though that is more than I usually pay. I know some people eat sandwiches but that's not a proper lunch.

sure it is - why not just make a salad or something and take that to eat.

Spending £10.50 a day for lunch is imo nuts

Marcon

ushjr said:

I think employers should pay for lunch as standard. If I wasn't in the office then I'd be cooking my lunch for much cheaper. I dread to think how much I pay for my lunch each year. Today it cost me £10.50 though that is more than I usually pay. I know some people eat sandwiches but that's not a proper lunch.

If that's not a proper lunch, ever wondered why there were so many thriving sandwich bars before COVID? I think you'll find most people eat sandwiches rather than frittering more than a tenner on a working day lunch. If you don't like sandwiches, make yourself something nutritious and take that with you each day. 

Manxman_in_exile

ushjr said:

I don't like salad. That does mean my local kebab house gives me extra meat because I don't have any salad.

A proper lunch needs to be cooked and contain meat...

I know lots of people buy sandwiches from Pret and the likes but its overpriced rubbish in my opinion. I'd rather spend a little bit extra on something that actually fills me up.

Is it just me or do others detect the beginnings of an illogicality here?  (And I'm not a vegetarian and I do enjoy the odd kebab).

£10.50?!?!

Marcon

ushjr said:

JamoLew said:

ushjr said:

I think employers should pay for lunch as standard. If I wasn't in the office then I'd be cooking my lunch for much cheaper. I dread to think how much I pay for my lunch each year. Today it cost me £10.50 though that is more than I usually pay. I know some people eat sandwiches but that's not a proper lunch.

sure it is - why not just make a salad or something and take that to eat.

Spending £10.50 a day for lunch is imo nuts

I don't like salad. That does mean my local kebab house gives me extra meat because I don't have any salad.

A proper lunch needs to be cooked and contain meat.

So how do vegetarians and vegans cope?

MovingForwards

Manxman_in_exile said:

ushjr said:

I don't like salad. That does mean my local kebab house gives me extra meat because I don't have any salad.

A proper lunch needs to be cooked and contain meat...

I know lots of people buy sandwiches from Pret and the likes but its overpriced rubbish in my opinion. I'd rather spend a little bit extra on something that actually fills me up.

Is it just me or do others detect the beginnings of an illogicality here?  (And I'm not a vegetarian and I do enjoy the odd kebab).

£10.50?!?!

Read other threads and it all becomes painfully clear.