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AIBU?

To charge my employer for these childcare costs?

141 replies

DixieD · 02/03/2013 20:27

I started a PT job about 6 months ago. It was always clear I was looking for PT as I had young kids. I work half seven to four to get home in the evenings to let the childminder go. This has been the arrangement since the beginning and everyone is happy with it.
DH works long hours, while I get home for 5 he is rarely home before 8. This is the nature of his job, it can't be helped. There have been a couple of occasions due to Board meetings that I have had to work later and DH has stepped in those evenings. Otherwise if I need to work later I've brought the laptop home and worked after the kids go to bed.
Anyway my boss needs me to go to the Milan office for a day. He wants me there for a full day so I need to go for two nights. I am happy to go. However there is no way DH can finish early both nights, so childminder will be minding the kids for extra hours one evening. Obviously I will have to pay her for this.
My question is would IBU to charge this as an expense of travelling? It is the fact I am abroad for two nights that I am incurring it. I think I've a case. DH thinks it cheeky. What do you think? AIBU?

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squeakytoy · 02/03/2013 20:29

I would see it as cheeky too.

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livinginwonderland · 02/03/2013 20:31

yabu, that's really cheeky. it's just part of working and having kids, unfortunately.

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Sirzy · 02/03/2013 20:31

I think its cheeky to.

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JackieTheFart · 02/03/2013 20:32

I think if you are lucky enough to be able to claim back expenses you should try!

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Skyebluesapphire · 02/03/2013 20:32

I think you should discuss it with your employer and see what he says. He may be happy to pay you extra.

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Shakey1500 · 02/03/2013 20:32

But it's not an expense of travelling is it? As in, the traditional sense of payment reimbursed for money spent on actual travel. It's a PITA for sure but not for your employers to cover the cost.

Is there no-one else that can go?

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nkf · 02/03/2013 20:33

Did you know you might have to travel in the job? I don't see how you can claim it as a travel expense. I think it might be one of those suck it up situations.

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DixieD · 02/03/2013 20:33

Mmm yeah I know it sounds cheeky. But surely when you travel for work the principal is you shouldn't be out of pocket? But I will be out of pocket. Next time what if he wants me to go for three or four nights?

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CaptainVonTrapp · 02/03/2013 20:34

I think its ok. Its well over and above your normal. Its just like if you had to pay airport parking or petrol to drive a long way to a meeting or your plane ticket it is their expense.

BUT I'm certain they wont be expecting it and I'm really not sure how it will go down.

Sorry, not very helpful...

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LineRunner · 02/03/2013 20:34

If you were working to a part-time contract I would say you should claim, but the hours you describe - 7.30am to 4pm - sound full-time, tbh.

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landofsoapandglory · 02/03/2013 20:34

I think it is cheeky too.

My DH had to go away for 9 months one year and I was doing a college course for my job in the evening once a week. As DH wasn't here I had to employ a baby sitter, I just saw it as one of those things TBH!

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CardinalRichelieu · 02/03/2013 20:34

Well you can ask. Boss may say yes if youre very lucky but I suspect it will be a no.

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Bobyan · 02/03/2013 20:34

Can't see the harm in asking, I'm also "part" time and was in the office until midnight on Wednesday and then had to get a 6.20 flight the next day for work... Its not like its a cost you can avoid!

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Sirzy · 02/03/2013 20:35

Your children = your childcare costs. It isn't your employers job to pay for your childcare.

Surely when you took the job you knew there would be the possibility of needing to travel?

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Catchingmockingbirds · 02/03/2013 20:35

I think it's cheeky too tbh, sorry.

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DixieD · 02/03/2013 20:35

Sorry it's 7.30 to 4, 3 days a week. I am travelling during my working days though.

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CaptainVonTrapp · 02/03/2013 20:35

Your absolutely right to think about the next time. I think it should be discussed just so they know that while you will do it this time you can't afford to do it regularly as it is costing you to go to work!

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squeakytoy · 02/03/2013 20:36

As a boss I would think you were taking the piss. Your boss is not responsible for your childcare costs, and you would be doing yourself no favours at all by asking.

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CaptainVonTrapp · 02/03/2013 20:36

So did you know there was the possibility of travel?

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scottishmummy · 02/03/2013 20:36

You need to sort your childcare,it's not burden your employer bears
I think it's cheeky, I wouldn't seek reimbursement

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DixieD · 02/03/2013 20:37

No travel was never a strong possibility tbh. There is an office in Milan and there was mention of perhaps going for a night which DH could have covered. Two nights or more has only come up recently.

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omletta · 02/03/2013 20:37

I think it depends on if you will be paid for the additional hours you are working? If so then your childcare costs should be paid by you - if not then I would consider a claim reasonable.

Are you a member of the board, or a support function?

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CloudsAndTrees · 02/03/2013 20:39

I think it's cheeky, but there's nothing wrong with a cheeky ask if you have a good relationship with your boss. If you ask in the right way, as in you are just checking to see if it's a possibility rather than coming across as if you are expecting it and being demanding, then there's no harm in asking.

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Blankiefan · 02/03/2013 20:39

I'd be pretty surprised (not in a good way) if one of my team asked about this. What about someone with a dog - would you expect the company to pay for kennels? You made the choice to have kids. Asking for special consideration, on top of all of those given in law or in explicit company benefits takes the mick and could make employers a bit Hmm about employing women in decent roles.

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Arithmeticulous · 02/03/2013 20:40

My boss once asked me to claim expenses to pay nursery for days where he wanted me to work but which were my days off. I asked HR about it and they insisted on paying me my daily rate - result!

In your case, I'd say there are too many variables- you chose that childcare/DH job/where you live.

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