DH not claiming work expenses

[Indiaplain]

DH is a teacher and has just returned from a school trip abroad. He spent around £200 on meals and travel for himself that weren't included (they were in Switzerland so v pricey!)

He says that as teachers they're expected to pay this and he won't ask about claiming back expenses. I think perhaps the lead trip organiser (his boss) should have included the teachers expenses in the pupils costs but didn't. He doesn't want to get her in trouble and won't try to get reimbursed.

This financially puts us in our overdraft this month and I'm annoyed as it's not usual or right - imo - that teachers should suck up this cost? AIBU to feel annoyed?

Normally staff travel and meals are covered by the cost of the trip. Did he know he would be paying for himself before hand? What was the £200 spent on - was it extra meals/travel?

My friend is a primary school teacher in a peripatetic role. We were talking about this the other day as it is her unit’s policy that expenses are not claimable. All expenses associated with work are for the staff to absorb.

Depends. Let’s say school
paid for his subsistence (full board/packed lunches) but he decided one night he’d also buy a bottle of wine, or a burger on room service then I would say that is discretionary spend and school should not pay.

how on earth did he rack up £200? What was the travel cost?

Most of it was on meals that were not included - mainly lunches and also tram rides to various sites. I agree - any luxuries such as an ice cream or coffees for example shouldn't be covered. But basic meals (which in Switzerland are £££) - should be covered.

Essentially the trip leader is his boss and she should have included staff expenses in the cost of the trip, but didn't.

That's interesting- can't think of any other professions where that would be acceptable

Teachers spend 100's every year on the things you see in our classrooms. Your kids get pens, pencils, rulers, books because teachers kids go short.

You have to eat whether you are on a work trip or not. So most companies I've worked for pay a daily subsistence amount and if you choose to go over it, it's like shopping at Waitrose instead of Aldi, it's your decision. So he should get some of it reimbursed, in my opinion.

You forgot glue sticks! Especially at this time of year.

In Australia, I would be seeing a tax agent or ringing the tax office. We can claim all sorts of things in our tax.

As a teacher, main travel, accommodation and any meals taken with the students (i.e. if we are catering for the students) are covered. If students are taking packed lunches/expected to source their own food then staff meals are not included. Contrary to popular believe staff supervising student trips often do have expenses not covered so it's not a 'free jolly'. It wouldn't be standard to claim expenses after the event in any place I've worked or my peers have as far as I'm aware.

Did the trip leader/boss pay for her own stuff, or has she got the money back by including her own costs in the trip? Or is she also out of pocket?

Could it be your council’s policy? It’s total bullshit even if it is. They should have provided a reasonable daily stipend for the staff. Your husband should probably refuse to supervise trips from now on.

how on earth did he rack up £200?

Having lived in Switzerland, very easily is the answer! A standard lunch (sandwich/drink etc) can be £30. Cable car up a mountain (the sort of thing a class trip would do) is easily £60 a ticket

I used to always pay for dinner when people came out to visit as they were always shocked to be paying £100 a head for an average pub style meal

OP, I agree this is terrible and in any other profession this would be covered but it seems teachers are always expected to suck it up

I bought so much for the classroom over the years. There is so little money. The cost of trips is pared right down and any spare money goes to helping open up the trip for those who cannot afford it.
Duke of Edinburgh award scheme relies on teachers volunteering for events. There is no overtime or time off in lieu. Lunches etc are usually bought by staff members ( especially camping trips)

I was just on a work trip in CH and a bog standard lunch in a normal cafe is indeed £30. Of course he should try and claim it back! I would never go on a work trip if I didn’t get expenses refunded.

Seems bizarre. My husband is a teacher and he regularly goes on trips, all their meals are included. If he wanted to eat something different / somewhere else / go out when not on duty he would have to pay for it and it would not be claimable. Fair enough.

Don't get started on stuff he funds for the students. Most annoying is all the kit washing he does as the school doesn't have a washing machine.

What the actual Fick...???!!!!!!!

@SuuzeeeQ There is no spare money at all.

If he fancied going in a cable car up a mountain, or on a tram to a nearby location then I think that’s for him to pay, not the school. Surely meals were provided with the students so food/drink was what he had on top so yes, he’d cover that.
There is a guilt thing though. I’m nhs and technically I can claim for meals if I’m on another site for a full day but I’d need food anyway so I’d never claim for that. Feels ethically wrong.

It may be possible to claim tax relief on the expenses as they were compulsory. Worth giving hmrc a ring.

It used to be a bit of a free holiday to go abroad with the children. I guess you would be eating at home so it isn't necessarily an extra expense. But these days I would have expected expenses to be paid, it's not really much of a treat herding a load of kids around.

You think eating 3 meals a day in restaurants or hotels isn’t an extra expense because you’d eat at home anyway? I didn’t realise I could eat 3 meals a day in restaurants in Switzerland for the same price as 3 home cooked meals or packed lunches using ingredients from a supermarket. I’m very surprised to hear there would be no extra expense 🤨

You would need to know the exact details of what he bought, when and what had been specified re stipend for meals before the trip.

Partner's school has almost zero budget for supplies plus nearly permanently broken printers, and I get really pissed off at the amount we sub them on art materials, whiteboard markers, any materials for any kind of activity really.

Look at overseas subsistence rates gov.uk. All the details are on there for all countries. He should be able to see what he can claim there.