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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to keep work's refund?

197 replies

Tartle · 04/07/2018 23:36

So I've been oop north for a training session today, train and expenses all paid for by work. Due to a fatality on the line at Watford earlier today the train is running about 90 mins late and I am whiling away my time drinking rubbish overpriced train wine and filling in the delay repay form on the virgin trains website.

So here is my question. Work obviously bought my ticket so if I get the cost refunded should I pay it back because it was their money or AIBU to pocket the cash as compensation because it's me that been on the sodding train for 4 sodding hours?

I still have to be at work tomorrow at 8 am so not feeling like I owe them that much right now.

OP posts:

Thehop · 04/07/2018 23:37

You should keep it. It’s xomlensation for the traveller.

Thehop · 04/07/2018 23:38

Sorry typo

Compensation

Dolphinswimmingupsidedown · 04/07/2018 23:39

Yabu to use the term ‘oop north’. It’s patronising and offensive.

DorothyGarrod · 04/07/2018 23:42

Check with your work. I worked with someone who got sacked for something similar - booked a hotel for a work event and was charged xxx price, there had been a mix up and he was refunded a trifling amount on arrival - around £32. He kept it. And must have mentioned it at work somehow and was sacked for gross misconduct. I wouldn’t want to face disciplinary action for the sake of a refunded train ticket so just check.

Vinomcstephens · 04/07/2018 23:43

I had this exact same scenario last year, I think I was delayed for about 4 hours in all and got a complete refund. And since it wasn't my money that paid for it, but my employers, I gave the refund back to my employer. I get that you're pissed off, I was too, but it wasn't my money and it's not yours.

Original poster

Tartle · 04/07/2018 23:44

Oh I forgot why I love AIBU. If it help I am !from the north myself but fortunately moving down sarf didn't remove my ability to take the piss out of myself.

If you prefer please substitute "generic non identifying city north of Watford."

OP posts:

CoughLaughFart · 04/07/2018 23:46

In other words, you think you’re right so don’t give a shit.

WeShouldBeFriends · 04/07/2018 23:46

I would say it's yours as you're the one inconvenienced. I had a similar situation recently; I paid for flights away for me, my Mum and sister. Flights delayed and I was refunded €400 per person. Paid to me but I passed it on to them as they were the ones stuck for 12 hours in the terminal.

Original poster

Tartle · 04/07/2018 23:50

Yeah this is about where I'm at with this. But then the question I'm pondering is if the money is a refund because a service wasn't provided (but it was, I did get a train and I am home, eventually) or is it compensation because I have had a shitty journey?

As far as work things go I attended all the things they paid me to attend, I actually waited a couple of hours after the event finished so I could come back off peak and save money. The fact that I'm not glowing to get to bed til 1 has absolutely no impact on them.

Pp is right though- I will check policy tomorrow. Not worth getting fired over.

OP posts:

caroldecker · 04/07/2018 23:55

Policy is almost certainly you a re reimbursed your costs for work related travel. No costs, then no reimbursment.

GorgonLondon · 05/07/2018 00:00

I've been in this situation too. I think:

Work paid your travel for you to go and do the work thing. You travelled and did the work thing, so they got what they paid for.

You, however, have been hugely delayed and inconvenienced (not least by having to drink train wine - commiserations). The compensation, if you get it, is for YOUR inconvenience.

Otherwise work got your travel for nothing.

I think if it had been on the way THERE and you'd missed the meeting, it might be a bit more questionable. I think you should keep it.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 05/07/2018 00:00

But the compensation is for the inconvenience right? And you’re the one inconvenienced, not your employer? But, but, I would check it out with your employer cos you wouldn’t want to get sacked for it. That said I’ve only ever worked for brilliant employers so what would I know?

Iwantaunicorn · 05/07/2018 00:01

YABU to use the term ‘down sarf’. It’s patronising and offensive.

Luckily I don’t give a shit, I’m from the sarf, and say both oop norf and daaaan sarf. Others will probably disagree.

To answer your original question, I’d think the refund should belong to you, but I’d check with work because of the PP who said someone got fired for something similar.

User121 · 05/07/2018 00:02

The refund is for the delay which inconvenienced you.

It's a grey area if had happened to you on the way to the training and therefore missed some of it, but it seems you were delayed on the way home so I'd say the comp is all yours.

I have never known a company that requests the comp to be paid to them and it most cases it would be a hassle to do so.

PervyMuskrat · 05/07/2018 00:03

Did work both book and pay for it? If so then would they not get the refund automatically? If they booked and paid and then you put your own credit card details in for the refund we would not be happy where I work. We would recompense you for the delay though if you were upfront about it

Original poster

Tartle · 05/07/2018 00:07

Yeah if I had been delayed yesterday and had to get another train/charter a plane/hire a speedboat (obviously I have a vv important job and the training couldn't have gone ahead without my illustrious presence) I would have given them back the money toward additional expenses.

As it is I'm not even claiming the train wine and I think they owe me that!

Or maybe I return the cash minus the wine receipt? They owe me that at least

OP posts:

Original poster

Tartle · 05/07/2018 00:08

I thought it would go back to work cc which I paid on but it asked if I wanted cheque or Paypal refund.

Paid on work card but through my personal Trainline account so a bit murky there.

OP posts:

Vinomcstephens · 05/07/2018 00:09

I think the ticket refund minus a bottle glass of wine would be an acceptable amount to hand over

Noqont · 05/07/2018 00:09

Yabu to use the term ‘oop north’. It’s patronising and offensive

No it's not.

And, yes keep the money op.

Whipsmart · 05/07/2018 00:10

Sorry off topic but are people being serious that saying oop north or daaaan sarf are offensive?

Somersetter · 05/07/2018 00:12

I would definitely keep the money. Your company weren't inconvenienced at all - why should they get it?

altiara · 05/07/2018 00:12

Refund - would go to person that paid - so work.
Compensation - to the traveller.
If you initially paid for the ticket, you’d get the refund but I’d feel fraudulent then claiming for the ticket on expenses unless it’s clearly compensation.

cafenoirbiscuit · 05/07/2018 00:34

Keep the comp but if it was me I’d donate some to the Samaritans, as there’s been a fatality - proportion is a judgement call on you

Iwantaunicorn · 05/07/2018 00:39

I was taking the mick about daaaan sarf, but oop norf seems to have caused offence, so I’m sure daaan sarf would do too. Taking the mick might be an offensive term too...

BristolThenSome · 05/07/2018 00:43

Qs for work:

Do I get to keep the compensation? If no they can find their own form and claim it themselves (i bet they wont bother, so still wont have the money bk, if its like my work)
If they're not giving you the compensation, are the paying you overtime or time in lieu?

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