If I've handed in my notice, is it my responsibility to organise the return of my company car or my employer's?

[spicemonster]

I've handed in my notice and, as I'm going to a direct competitor, been put on gardening leave until the end of July when my notice period is up. Because I've been put on gardening leave, I have no access to email, they took my phone etc.

The car is leased and, like anything to do with HR, the leasing company normally contact me via email. So I can quite imagine they'll email me to arrange for the return of the car. For example, despite the fact that presumably HR oversaw my departure, they still emailed me my P60 rather than posting it to me, meaning I didn't get it.

Is it my responsibility to contact the hire company given that I obviously know when my last date of employment is? And if I don't contact them and they don't collect it until after my contract of employment terminates, will they be able to charge me?

[flowerybeanbag]

spicemonster the answer is I don't know, because I don't know what the normal practice/policy is regarding return of company cars when someone leaves employment where you are. Would you be expected to arrange it yourself under normal circumstances?

I'd suggest you ring HR and ask them what the procedure is regarding return of company cars. If you are told that the hire company will contact you directly, then make sure they are aware that you will not get any emails sent to you. Put the ball in their court, ask them to contact the hire company as you are unable to. I can't see how they'd be able to charge you, or rather bill you, if you have made every attempt to return it.

[RibenaBerry]

What Flowery said.

Also, it will depend on how the contract is set up whether they can bill you. If the contract with the hire company is between you and them, they could bill you. If it is between your employer and the hire company (which would be the normal arrangment) then they will bill the company and I would expect that they could only deduct it from other sums due to you (last salary, holiday, etc) if you had not assisted in the return.

Do what Flowery said and you should be fine.

[spicemonster]

Thanks both

Normally the hire company contact me direct to arrange things like servicing so I'd imagine that's how it will work. But in this instance, HR need to tell the hire company I'm leaving. The hire company bill my employer, not me direct and it's taken out of my salary.

I was considering not bothering to contact them because they're a massive international company and I sort of feel they should know when they've put one of their employees on gardening leave but that's a bit petty I admit

I will call them and then the ball's in their court.

[witzend]

Do what everyoone has advised but bear in mind that having the car is your contractual right which only expires when your notice is up. Therefore, use and enjoy right until 31 July!!

Do make the contact and log any calls or get someone to witness your calls and write a note - E'er's sometimes try to deny these things and lay the blame at your door, particularly if feelings are high as you're going to a competitor.

The contract will likely to be b/w the e'er and hire co as ribena says. However, if you default the e'er may have a way of reclaiming any monies from you - check your contract as it will probavbly have a deductions from salary clause covering this sort of thing and the last thing you want is them to deduct monies from your final salary payment which you then have to fight for.

Not sure what the contract says around private mileage given you are not working. However, during garden leave you are at the e'er's beck and call anyway so they would h ave difficulty trying to charge you for excessive petrol usage unless, e.g. you drive to france in the meantime as reasonable private mileage is allowed. It is usual for e'ers to put some terms in place for garden leave to cover this sort of thing. However, if they have put you on GL when they don't have the contractual right to do so you are much freer to do as you please during this period!!

Good luck and enjoy the sunshine!!

[Kewcumber]

Spice when I was in the same position the company arranged for the lease company to come and collect the car from me at my house at the end of my gardeniong leave period. Don;t think its yoru responsibility to arrange it - that would be very uncommon unless there is something specific in staff handbook.

[witzend]

Agree it is e'er's responsibility and not wanting to sound OTT with my post. However, have known many e'ers to do v underhand things so best to cover yourself.