Money Moral Dilemma: Should I accept rail delay refunds for train tickets my employer paid for?

Hummybee

You were the one inconvenienced, so keep it.

Marvel1

What compo can I get when stuck in a traffic jam?

Section62

Emmia said:

keithyno.1 said:

kathill55 said:

Is everyone here really that much more saintly? It never once occurred to me to give this money (my compensation after all) to my employer. I lost out on the time and stress of being late, they did not. 

I know what you mean about some people being 'holier-than-thou' saintly figures on here. In the responses up to now, one person has claimed the poster would be committing fraud if they didn't pass on the refund to their employer, another states that it would be stealing i.e. theft.

Fraud and theft...both criminal offences. Now could you imagine if the employer went to the police stating they'd like to report a theft or an act of fraud by the employee because they'd not passed on the rail refunds, and wished for them to be investigated and charged? The employer would get laughed at, all the way out of the police station!

It's a personal opinion, but I do consider it fraud/theft. I would think less of colleagues who did it. I wouldn't expect police involvement, I would expect the employer to act - disciplinary action?

Perhaps I'm too honest?

I agree with you.

Lots of people are making the assumption the journey was in the poster's time, not the employers time. If the journey was during paid hours then the employer is the one that has lost out due to the delay.  Also, that the employer 'has more money' than you doesn't stop it being fraud.

Claiming the full cost of the ticket whilst getting a refund for part of it may result in it being considered a fraudulent claim, or at best career-limiting dishonesty.  It seems some folks have forgotten about the duck houses and second homes.

Being reported to the police is not the only way fraud/dishonesty can affect your career prospects.

But if the employer does decide to report the matter to the police I doubt they would "get laughed at, all the way out of the police station".  Perhaps keithyno.1 is unaware that employee fraud is often treated somewhat more seriously than other kinds of fraud? (a cynic might also suggest the audit trail generated by the claim makes it an easy crime for the police to 'solve' and 'clear up' by means of a caution.)

And claiming "for amounts higher than that spent" is certainly an item on the A-Z list produced by ActionFraud, who ought to know what they are talking about -

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/travel-and-subsistence-fraud

The correct thing to do is to inform HR of the refund and ask them for advice.  If they say 'keep it' then make sure you have that in writing.

silverwhistle

Mischiefmanaged said:

I queried this via email with my employer and HR. Our policy is that we are allowed to keep it. 

The poster above basically answered the question on page 1 of this thread. A quick email and get the official policy. The employer may not want to get involved in what is a fairly trivial matter which could involve more bureaucracy, time and systems to deal with. 

Nasqueron

Marvel1 said:

What compo can I get when stuck in a traffic jam?

Nothing because that isn't you paying for a ticket that says you will be at XYZ location at a fixed time

Nasqueron

I claim and keep the delay repay money - I am being delayed, it is compensation for my extra time spent on the train and having to potentially rush for my next stage

Acquinas

CapeTown said:

So I work for the NHS. If I travel with the job, the NHS pays. If I am delayed, I get refunded - I give that money back to the NHS. How is your conscience if you are pocketing money. 

Having spent 3 hours on a stationary train with no catering and blocked toilets, my conscience would be fine. Its not my employer who had to go through that purgatory.

Classclown1968

The delay repay can only be collected vie email tickets are booked under and it’s the passenger inconvenienced so passenger claims if on their email if not employer can claim. 

Help88

You should use the refund for your next work trip, or ask HR how to repay the compensation. As the company has paid for the ticket (and credited you with the extra time the journey took?) then you are obliged to return the money as you are not out of pocket. I would imagine you would be expected to pay the money back.

Southendormargate

Just take the money