To wonder how I can be expected to pay this amount of money?

[XavierSaviour]

Work need me to go on a training course.

It's 1.5 hours by car but 3.5 hours by train.

The train fees are £77.50 each way (work pay for a hotel if you'd have to leave before 6.30am to get there when it starts).

So, I'll have to pay around £160! Just to get there and back.

I can't afford this. It's a new job that I've just got so I'm really worried about bringing this up. I already had difficulty securely my offer due to a mix up but that's another story.

AIBU to wonder how I can be expected to pay this?

Nobody else is going, just me as the new starter.

I messaged someone else from the company who I've become friendly with this same question and she's said "Oh I don't know, I've never had my costs given back. I've just paid the petrol"

As others have said, it's not only normal practice but actually the law to have work-related expenses reimbursed. Either ask for them to book the train tickets (and don't forget to get a taxi receipt from the station), or put them on a credit card (you will get reimbursed before the bill is due), or drive and claim mileage. Usually it's at the HMRC rate of p45/mile. Just clarify the process by email before you go. Don't be put off.

Honestly, you are over thinking it - just email them now and ask them to book the ticket! It’s so utterly routine - really not a big deal at all!

How far away is it by car? Normally businesses would reimburse you mileage, I think the usual is around 45p per mile.

Just ask for an expenses claim form, and how to fill it in.

How big is the business OP? Rough turnover per annum? Number of salaried employees?

Yes, they really ought to be booking the tickets for you. I used to work for a notoriously stingy company but even they wouldn't have expected me to front £150 of my own money for a work trip (though they might have hoped I wouldn't mention it!). It was a small company so the procedure was I'd work out exactly what trains I needed and let the receptionist know so she could book it online using a company credit card.

Tink They're called BPAS. They work alongside the NHS and are mostly funded by them too

Normally Travel expenses are reimubursed. Just drop your manager an email,and say, hey can I ask how the travel expenses work please?

OP, they're a big firm. Have no hesitation in asking them to cover your travel costs upfront. If they haven't before now (your colleague didn't) then they've been opportunistic. A firm of this size absolutely would expect to cover employee expenses for travel for training above and beyond the simple cost of the course......and not expect employees to offer free of charge credit!!!

If they do ask you to pay upfront, say "sorry I don't do credit cards or mix up work expenses with my own outgoings - don't you have an account for this?"

Do you not have a staff intranet where you can death for booking travel? There is probably a travel team that will book it for and sort payment out.

Sometimes I wonder how some people make it through the day?! Just ask what the expenses procedure is - do you claim expenses afterwards and give receipts, pay with company credit card, or petty cash 🙄

As others have said, it's not only normal practice but actually the law to have work-related expenses reimbursed.

Only if the expenses take you below minimum wage. But in this case it’s an excellent point as costs of that amount surely would.

If you worked for me the tickets and hotel would be paid for you in advance on company credit card. Or you would be given an advance in cash to fully meet the costs. Any additional costs you incur, you will be able to claim back from the company on expenses. In my experience - 35 years in employment - this is the normal practice. You need to ask your employer.

@poster zhivagodr
Don’t be unkind, it’s completely unnecessary

If it’s only 1.5 hours by car, if that’s from home can you drive? You don’t need a hotel for that distance and fuel will be about £40 ish which you should claim back as another said at about 45 per mile.

Just ask them to book your train tickets

If it’s only 1.5 hours by car, if that’s from home can you drive? You don’t need a hotel for that distance and fuel will be about £40 ish which you should claim back as another said at about 45 per mile.

This

Sorry, thought I'd mentioned in the OP. I don't drive

Give the times of the trains to your manager so that they can get an admin person to book your tickets.

Our company book all travel through an agency including train tickets, I have to give an explanation if I buy my own and claim expenses. OP I’m sure they will have a procedure and your manager or team admin person will give you details on Monday.

Here's what to email your manager

Regarding the course I'm being asked to attend, as I am not able to purchase train tickets in advance, please advise who I contact to purchase the tickets for me.

Wait for their response.

Do they know you don’t drive? They may not expect you to need to book a train.

Just ask them to book the train tickets for you.

OP, are you just worried about finding the money up front? Because reimbursement of train fares is a non-issue. A quick look at BPAS's website seems to show standard corporate-style benefits. I would just ask how they book train tickets. They may well have an account with an agency so you won't have to pay yourself.