What’s the fairest thing to do for staff in this scenario?

[worktime]

I manage a small team of essentially a community based business. We do have an office but it is not very convenient and has no staff car park. We are often out and about a lot in the day anyway. Our hours are 8:30-5 and head office are quite firm on this.

However, sometimes I will have a member of staff on a site visit until 4pm. Officially, they have 60 mins left in the work day. Head office are saying they expect staff to come back to the office until 5pm.

But… this can easily be a 30-45 minute drive. Then the staff member has to find some on street parking, park up and walk into the office. By the time they’re at their desk sometimes there’s only 10-15 minutes left of the day!

Personally I feel we should just say to staff that if they finish on site at 4 then to go home. What’s the use of coming in only to have to head back out again so soon after?

Just wondering what the hive mind thinks! Everyone does site visits so from time to time everyone is in this position. No one would be treated unfairly if you see what I mean.

Oh whoops they tried to come in and the traffic was awful, sorry head office.

Do they get paid fuel mileage or do they have company vehicles?

I don't know why it's even a conversation. I'd just go home, and have in every job I've ever had with similar working arrangements.

Can they do the same work they would have done in the office at home? Are there times when they get stuck at a site until 6pm? Is there any element of give and take?

They have their own vehicles and get paid mileage.

In theory they could go home and do the 20 mins of work there, yes.

No they would never need to stay until 6.

How do HO know that they've finished at 4pm?
Couldn't they just say they were at the off site location until 5pm.

Are head office likely to agree if you said the staff should go home and work until 5 pm there?