Job offer - bit put off

[Sabire9]

Just been offered a job in education which is very poorly paid - £17K but which may open up some other opportunities further down the line.

I've been going through the paperwork and have a couple of concerns - don't know if I'm nit-picking or whether this is completely reasonable.

They asked at interview and in the job advert whether I had a car and the paperwork I received yesterday asked me to confirm I have class 1 business insurance as at times I might be required to transport pupils between centres (it's a multi-centre college) in my own vehicle. I do, so that's ok.

However, 3 of the colleges (they won't say where I'll be based) are in areas where on-site parking is limited and parking on the road is very expensive. They've just confirmed they don't reimburse parking costs, even when you're using your car to transport students between venues. This could mean I rack up £20 plus a day parking costs if I use my car, on a daily pay rate of about £70. The alternative to using my car will be to travel with a student on public transport.

This is making me hesitate about accepting the job.

Any thoughts?

My current job (which is very part time & self employed, and which I intend to continue with evenings/weekends) involves working as a peripatetic teacher in different venues, and I'm reimbursed for parking and petrol.

Would you be able to arrange to drop the students off and someone at the other sites come out for them? There's no way you should be expected to pay your own parking expenses if using your car for transporting students.

I think I would be asking a few more questions on their travel and expensing policy, and whether public transport was feasible. However, if it boils down to you definitely being responsible for your own transport and parking costs, I would be looking at how quickly this job is likely to lead to better opportunities and what else is available.

£100 a week coming out of your pocket for business travel is exploitative at that wage.

Thanks for your response.

My common sense is saying to me that if they're asking a member of staff to use their car for a work related activity (rather than for commuting) then they should reimburse the expenses involved in doing this, including parking.

It's not just the financial consideration - it's the fact that this makes me feel a bit 'meh' towards them, which isn't a good way to feel about an organisation you're considering joining.

The fact the word "safeguarding" hasn't appeared so far would make me run a mile, personally.

You are very wise to clarify this before accepting - paying for parking when you are transporting kids is totally unreasonable! Check their rate of expenses is going to cover both petrol and wear and tear to your car too.

You're right, they absolutely should either reimburse you for travel involving transporting the students- mileage and parking- or provide you with a school vehicle and parking permit/ company card. This should be written into their policy. Otherwise you're paying for the privilege of doing the job.

Totally understand about it putting you off them somewhat but it doesn't sound right to me that they'd expect you to pay that if there's no real alternative so I wouldn't be surprised if you've been wrongly advised.

Totally understand about it putting you off them somewhat but it doesn't sound right to me that they'd expect you to pay that if there's no real alternative so I wouldn't be surprised if you've been wrongly advised.

Maybe it's my age or experience, but I can well believe it. There are some really exploitative employers out there. Staff turnover is a good indication. As is being offered the job at interview.

Taking students in your car isn’t brilliant from a safeguarding perspective and can open you up to all manner of unprovable claims from students as well as risking them as well, obvs What happens if you have an accident? Could you cope with that after? Will another member of staff always travel with you? Why are you transporting students in your car instead of a school / facility minibus?

Professor - they didn't offer me the job at interview. I was interviewed last week and was offered the job yesterday. So conflicted about what to do.

@Sabire9

Professor - they didn't offer me the job at interview. I was interviewed last week and was offered the job yesterday. So conflicted about what to do.

I know you didn't say you were offered the job at interview ... I was just saying that's not a bad indicator of a dodgy employer.

@ProfessorSlocombe

The fact the word "safeguarding" hasn't appeared so far would make me run a mile, personally.

What?!

Apologies Professor, didn't read your comment properly.

Seems a bit stiff to me to say the least! Unless you are going to be promoted PDQ I would pass on this one TBH!