Job Relocation - Fair Distance?!

moscow_flyer

Please help!! My company is closing down the office I work in Chester and asking the team to relocate a further 17 miles away.

Is there a rule relating to the fair distance that people can be asked to move?

I've heard that this could be 25 miles? Anything after this point then becomes a redundancy situation.

Please advise - anyone with some knowledge in this area

Thanks.

dmg24

AFAIK this is not something that is covered in legislation, but is likely to be detailed in your contract of employment.

Conor_3

Wow, I wish I only had to travel 25 miles each way to work...I've been doing more than that for the last 15 years.

At the end of the day, it's either move or get made redundant and as an office worker, don't expect to find a job in a hurry as there's plenty of others looking for the same type of work.

If it's 30 miles away, that's only an extra £7 a week in petrol in most cars. How does that compare between your wage and dole money? If you're living so close to the edge that an extra £7 in travel costs can make or break a move, you certainly can't afford unemployment.

Andy_L

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/EmploymentContractsAndConditions/DG_10028541

"If your employer moves the location of their business, your situation depends firstly on the terms of your contract of employment. Some contracts include a 'mobility clause' which says you have to move within certain limits. If you have a mobility clause in your contract your employer can normally force you to move to places allowed by the clause unless this is completely unreasonable"

"There is no fixed distance which is 'reasonable'- it depends on your particular circumstances.If the new location is just a few miles away and you can drive or easily take public transport, it will probably be unreasonable to turn down the offer. If, however, it involves a difficult journey, even if it's only a few miles away, or affects personal matters like your family situation or children's education, it may be reasonable to say no."

brightonman123

i would certainly ask for extra money, to cover tavel costs that wrent expected when you first took the job..

that is if you want to stay? otherwise may be worth consideraing taking redundancy (any figures offered? get it in writing!), and start looking for another local job anyway, just in case.

Savvy_Sue

But I think travel costs would only be covered for a limited period - I have in my mind up to two years but it may be less than that, and it may be a negotiated right rather than an automatic one.

shopndrop

To reduce travel costs, would you be able to car share with someone else also having to move?