OH work trip should he get 'disturbance' money!!!

elona

Is there a union rep or someone who has been in the job longer who could advise him on this?

MPwannasavemoney

I think the civil service used to or still do maybe pay a disturbance allowance. Otherwise everywhere I have worked it is just pay as you go along and claim as expenses.

bunking_off

The civil service get a lot of things that us mere mortals don't (ie are disallowed by the tax man to those of us in the private sector). I can claim my expenses back, but it regularly takes me a whole morning to compile the 18+ pages of receipts that the tax man insists are stuck onto paper and filed - company got into trouble a few years ago for not having all the records.

Meanwhile, in the civil service it still seems possible to be paid a per day allowance, eat cheaply and pocket the difference....that'd be a taxable benefit for us.

Counting_Pennies_2

I think we are getting off subject here, but I have to say there is a need to defend the civil service at times. My husband until a few months ago worked for the civil service in quite a senior position, and yes they were allowed to claim their evening meal, but that was that. I think he was also given £1 to call home.

I think people have it in their minds that due to the press 'over elaborated' articles that the 'civil service' have it made. They don't!

bunking_off

Counting_Pennies wrote:

I think people have it in their minds that due to the press 'over elaborated' articles that the 'civil service' have it made. They don't!

We are off-topic, and I wouldn't want this to get into a slanging match, but I have it in my mind because

- a mate of mine works at the ONS and got per diem arrangements to attend meetings within the last few weeks, and
- I regularly travel to meetings also attended by DTI representatives, who (at least when we discussed the matter last, about a year ago) were still on such an arrangement.

I'm not decrying the civil service, just pointing out that it's weird that when it comes to expenses, the Inland Revenue (or whatever its new name is - Revenue & Customs?) appear to have one rule for public, one for the private sector.

Spendless

My husband is away from home frequently o/n. He gets accomodation and the evening meal paid for, but the following day on his way home,he can also claim for a sandwich/snack drink.

abbieken888

My husband is on a 6 month contract away from home with his work (software enginner). I went with and we spent the first month in a b&b, paid for by them. We also got eveing meals paid back every two weeks. Now were in a house, rent and all bills paid for by the company up front, and we get £15 + 10% of his salary a day disturbance (more if abroad). We also get paid something like 40p per mile to go home once a fortnight (500mile round trip) as well as being paid his hourly rate for the drive (works out at about 10hours overtime!) Any overtime is paid at time and a half during the week and double time at the weekends. They also bought us a tv, plates, cups, cutlery, towels, washing up rack and equipment.
We probably would have not got these things if we wouldn't have asked. I spoke to the company to barter for all these things, so its worth seeing if they are flexible. I know other people who work for the same company who loose money going away, but with all the benifits, we have doubled our income while we are hope. Thing is, I don't want to go home!!

Murray

Welcome to the chat forum abbieken888.

My goodness...I'd quite like to work for your hubby's company!! What generous people (to their employee's anyway!)

When I go abroad with work I can claim back my expenses and if I happen to be away over a weekend or on a day I wouldnt normally be at work I take some time off in lieu (getting paid overtime would be better but unfortunately thats not possible in my job!)

Its very interesting to hear what other people do about time away from home because I'm never really sure what to do because I get to go to some lovely places and can go sightseeing at the companys expense.

wolvoman

It's very unusual now for companies to pay a per diem amount to staff on overseas trips, unless the trip is for more than a week or so.

There are benefits to paying up front and claiming back on expenses - think of all those extra Clubcard points if you use a Tesco Visa card for hotels, flights, meals etc.


I've always found the best way to get more out of business travel is to ask. If you don't like B&Bs then just ask to be put up in a nicer hotel (within reason of course). If your company thinks £10 for an evening meal is sufficient then just ask for more. At the end of the day it is your company who asks you to work away from home for reasons to benefit them.

Lyndsay_21

if it was me i would ask but OH probably wont he's a wuss i suppose it is better than most as they're paying ALL his food and hotel and even airport parking. He's signed up with expedia so when he has to book more flights he gets the airmiles so hopefully after a few more trips i'll get a free flight over with him and just stay in his hotel room and just pay for my food.