AIBU re DP's employers pressuring him to get a car?

[violetbunny]

Genuinely not sure if IABU here, so would love to hear your thoughts.

We moved to a new city 5 months ago, and DP started a new job with an agency that provides a professional service (think along the lines of consulting, etc). He got the job before we moved here, so when it came to finding somewhere to live we deliberately chose to live somewhere within walking distance of his office, so he walks to work.

Since he started several months ago, his boss has been putting pressure on him to get a car. The reason is that roughly 4-5 times per month he is required to travel to client's offices within the city in which we live, and twice so far has had to travel 2-3 hours by car outside of our city. So far, when travelling within our city DP has either been taking public transport there or, if there are no public transport links (maybe half the time), then taking a taxi. On the occasions he has had to travel outside the city he's either gotten a lift with a colleague or, on one occasion where that wasn't possible, hired a car. Any taxis or hire cars have been charged back to the company as expenses with the prior agreement of his boss.

His boss however has indicated several times now that the company is unwilling to keep paying for taxis/hire cars, and that DP should look into getting a car. None of this was ever discussed before DP was hired (they never asked if he had or planned to use his own car, nor is anything mentioned in his contract) and it's a small company so there isn't a written travel policy. His boss's argument is that DP is "senior enough that he should be setting an example" and he has gone as far as to say there are plenty of others out there who could do DP's job and have their own car. Taxi rides are usually under 25 pound and a couple of times a month. His boss is a part-owner of the company so has a vested interest in reducing costs.

They haven't gone as far as telling him he must get a car, but keep having "chats" with him about it and are making it out to be real issue. DP thinks he should offer to fund his own transport (as it'll probably be cheaper than buying and running a car) but I think his work are being tightwads. AIBU to think it's a bit cheeky for them to be pressuring him into getting a car?

If car parking is an issue at home could he leave the car at work?

Maybe he could offer to continue using taxis but to only claim back mileage, and then pay any difference himself? This would be cheaper than going to the trouble of buying and running a car, and the employers wouldn't feel they were being left out of pocket.

I'd be very careful of going down the path of 'it's not in my contract therefore you can't make me'

Remember that for the first two years of his employment, he can be sacked on the spot for anything at all and there will be absolutely nothing he can do about it (unless discrimination as per the Equalities Act).

Too many people seem to forget this...

Remember that for the first two years of his employment, he can be sacked on the spot for anything at all and there will be absolutely nothing he can do about it (unless discrimination as per the Equalities Act).

They aren't even in the UK.

@OnlyTheWelshCanCwtch Unfortunately the parking situation at his work is just as bad, he would have to pay for a permanent park either way (not cheap where we live)

@Dancealot This is probably what he will end up offering to do. It's just frustrating because he shouldn't have to offer that really. He is looking at all the options and will crunch the numbers this weekend to work out the best option from a financial perspective.

@SteeleyeSpanx We aren't in the UK although this is still a concern for him (rules are different here but that's not to say they wouldn't be able to find a reason to get rid of him). So he definitely won't be taking this approach.

Has he explained to his employer that it's not just a case of going out and getting a car because (a) you already have a car that is for family use outside work so you don't need another one and (b) you don't have anywhere to park it? Perhaps the employer doesn't realise that there is no other incentive to get a car, or that it will actually result in more cost to your DH than it would to someone with their own parking?

He may have in his mind that your DH is some sort of anti-car hippy who is refusing on principle rather than for solid commerical reasons. (not saying that he wouldn't be entitled to refuse on principle, just suggesting that the employer - being a bit of a twat - may be allowing such a misconception to colour his opinion).

Unless he really loves the job, I would start looking for another job.