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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To refuse to travel with work colleague?

38 replies

workingmumof2cb · 21/09/2018 20:14

My place of work has recently opened another office which is based roughly 25 miles away from my usual place of work (45minute drive each way). I’m required to work at the new office 2-3 times per week, which is fine as I enjoy the change of scenery. However, I have now been told that whenever travelling there I must first meet my colleague at original office and travel to and from other office in her vehicle! This is to save money on mileage costs. However, I have 2 young children who access child care, and if I were to receive a phone call to pick them up early for whatever reason, I would not have access to my own vehicle to get back! My boss has refused to allow me to take my colleague in my vehicle as it means she can’t access a certain funding loophole (!?) AIBU?

OP posts:
NotANotMan · 21/09/2018 20:15

That's not acceptable. You need to take your own vehicles.

Nightmanagerfan · 21/09/2018 20:15

YANBU. I would expect your car isn’t insured for business use either? Is your colleague’s car a company car?

PositivelyPERF · 21/09/2018 20:17

I assume they’re not paying you from the time you get to the original office? If not they can fuck off. Actually they can fuck off anyway, as they have no right to tell you hoe you have to travel to work.

dancingintherain1111 · 21/09/2018 20:17

YANBU, I wouldn’t accept this.

Maelstrop · 21/09/2018 20:17

Tell him no way. You need to be able to leave should your children fall ill. Tough. Also, colleague will get fed up very quickly to having to take someone else.

ForalltheSaints · 21/09/2018 20:20

Given the distance is too far to pay for a taxi should the unexpected need arise, not reasonable.

Original poster
workingmumof2cb · 21/09/2018 20:21

OP’s car is her own car for personal use, she is in cahoots with the boss and I assume is enjoying getting extra mileage payments? I was previously being paid mileage for travel from original office to new office, now I will receive nothing on top of usual salary. I’m also having to leave 45 minutes earlier than I would have to, which involves stressful mornings trying to get the little ones sorted. I’m also not being paid for these extra hours. Very frustrating, I plan to make a complaint next week but I imagine it will fall on deaf ears.

OP posts:
DartmoorDoughnut · 21/09/2018 20:21

I’d check with your HR department

DartmoorDoughnut · 21/09/2018 20:22

Gah posted to soon!!

On the face of it your boss is entirely U but just make sure she can’t actually insist on it.

StealthPolarBear · 21/09/2018 20:23

If you're not being paid for that time then surely they can't dictate.
If you were travelling on works time, I'm not sure what you could argue tbh

Nightmanagerfan · 21/09/2018 20:23

Usually if you are being asked to work at a place of work that is different from what is on your contract (your “usual place of work”) then they must allow you to travel in work time to a different office.

thinkfast · 21/09/2018 20:24

Assuming your contract requires it, your employer can require you to work from the other office.

I cannot see how they can require that you travel to the other office by a particular means, unless you were going to be leaving your normal office at your usual start time and doing work on the journey.

Jezzifishie · 21/09/2018 20:26

Are you in a union? May be worth having a chat, if you are.

delphguelph · 21/09/2018 20:27

Unreasonable.

TownHall · 21/09/2018 20:30

Seems unreasonable but I don't know the legal position

Foodylicious · 21/09/2018 20:31

Totally unreasonable.
What happens when she is on leave? Or sick?

Regardless, I don't think they can insist

StealthPolarBear · 21/09/2018 20:31

But if her organisation expected her to get a train to a different city for a meetin how would that be? Shed still be far away. Or I suppose is it the terms you sign up to, or don't

Oakmaiden · 21/09/2018 20:33

So do your work hours start at the point you reach your original office, or at the point you reach the new office? If you are not paid for the travelling time then I agree with you, but from what you say it seems like you are paid for travelling time and mileage - in which case I think your boss may have a point.

And you having your car instead of the other person having hers is besides the point - if you left early (due to a child based emergency) she would be stranded.

MaisyPops · 21/09/2018 20:34

If they want you to meet at the first office then you get to office 1 and your commute time is factored into your working day in my opinion.

They have zero right to dictate your morning commute and they can't expect additional hours for you because they can't be bothered to sort their staffing situation out.

thinkingaboutfostering · 21/09/2018 20:35

Stealth I think the difference is, if she'd traveled by train she would at least be able to get a train back again. With this the Op would have no transport at all!

thinkingaboutfostering · 21/09/2018 20:37

Op I would be asking for mileage and either pay for the traveling time or for the traveling to take place in work hours.

Original poster
workingmumof2cb · 21/09/2018 20:37

I think it would be more appropriate that we each have our own vehicles, for that reason. There are also a number of other factors here, which I have a feeling they are trying to put pressure on me to make me leave my job. Maybe I am just being paranoid but since coming back from maternity leave I have been treated awfully. I just can’t help but think they are trying to push me out.

OP posts:
7toGo · 21/09/2018 20:38

Usually if you are being asked to work at a place of work that is different from what is on your contract (your “usual place of work”) then they must allow you to travel in work time to a different office.

Absolutely incorrect.

mumsastudent · 21/09/2018 20:48

what does your contract say? If they push this & try to use it as an excuse to sack you I suspect that would come under constructive dismissal - you need some advise - also perhaps a little enquiry to HMRC????

Butterymuffin · 21/09/2018 20:50

I cannot see how they can require that you travel to the other office by a particular means

Me neither. The 'usual place of work' issue is harder to determine, but how would they stop you driving there in your own car? They can hardly discipline you for it. I would just say cheerfully when you get the chance 'Thanks for the offer but I will definitely need to be able to make my own way straight home so I'll drive myself'. And repeat broken record that you'll be driving yourself if needs be. What can they actually do?

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