To have claimed this as an expense?

[Wealthabd]

Something happened at work and I was very upset, manager told me to go home and would I like the company to book a taxi for me. It’s a long journey home and it could be anywhere from 1.5-2 hours drive and probably cost around £100.

I felt uncomfortable at the cost (even though the company were paying) and so I got the train, they know I’m struggling financially and the extra £20 I had to pay (my original ticket was for a set time) is actually a big cost to me. I’ve raised the ticket as an expense, fully open about what it was when raising it.

Now the company have acted like I’ve tried to steal from them. I really didn’t think I’d done anything wrong (ans it was 80% cheaper than the taxi) and I feel it could have been resolved with one conversation but they’ve now got senior management involved.

And just to add, they offered the taxi as a duty of care and when I uploaded my receipt there is a specific category about sickness/travel.

Were the company absolutely paying for the taxi?

I wouldn’t have submitted the expense without a conversation with my line manager to say that’s what I was doing, as it will be outside of the company policy.

to have submitted it without clarification that this was ok - you have opened yourself up to being questioned.
I am sure it will be fine, but alway best to check before submission if it’s not a normal item.

Hope you are ok x

What have they actually said? Sounds just like a mix up that needs resolving rather than any huge drama or accusation of stealing.

Hi OP. This sounds messy. Did you agree expensing the train instead of a taxi with the same manager who offered the taxi as a duty of care?

Would they have had to request the duty of care travel?

Sounds daft if they're disputing the difference given it's only 20 quid but more info would help.

Are they actually accusing you of stealing?!

How would you normally get home?

Were they actually offering to pay for the taxi for you or were they just offering to book one for you?
I wonder whether in your distressed state you misunderstood the offer, thinking they were being kinder than they were.

They offered to book you a taxi. Did they specifically state they were paying for it?
It sounds like a misunderstanding. I hope it's sorted soon.

Also as you were upset, did they not want to put you in the taxi to ensure you made it home safely? By getting the train you made yourself seem in an ok state and therefore they might be questioning how in need you were.

Did they offer to book the taxi or offer to pay for the taxi? They are two different things

Was the taxi perhaps just to the train station?

I've have had a taxi booked for me by work before (i was pregnant and had fainted so they were worried). As part of this they paid for it. It doesnt feel appropriate for me to have expensed the train because this would be considered my normal journey to work. I see your logic but also your company's. I think it very much depends why they suggested you go home and whether they felt they had a duty of care

Yes this - it sounds like your manager asked if you wanted them to book a taxi - not necessarily pay. Unless they have an account and said: “Do you want us to book
a taxi on the company account?”

I think OP was ill and they said they would wt her a taxi home. She said no - would make her own way home - and she usually gets the train. So company shouldn't pay

100% they were offering to pay for the taxi.

How do you normally travel from work?

What is your manager saying about this?

I think what was offered and what you did were 2 very different things.
If I were to send an employee home in a taxi it would be because they were unwell/distressed/need to get home quickly and safely. We have an account with a taxi firm, it’s an easy sign off and I know they get home ok.

If an employee was upset and I offered them a taxi home and they said it was ok they would get the train - their normal mode of transport I would think they were ok getting themselves home but would be leaving early. I would them be surprised at getting an expenses claim for their train ticket.

It’s similar if we send an employee to hospital - there and back in a taxi we cover. If they decide to go there or home any other way that’s on them.

I don’t think you should have submitted your train ticket without further discussion.

By not taking them up on their offer of booking and paying for a taxi for you I think they have discharged their duty of care. You arranged your own transport home which is what you would normally need to do anyway.

Ultimately this isn’t about whether it was ok to raise the expense. I’ve done it now and there’s no going back.

But appreciate my title says just that.

I think my issue is that I felt it was reasonable given the circumstances and that I didn’t want them paying more than they would have done, but they don’t which is just a hit I’ll take and a lesson learned. I just think a conversation would suffice as it’s a misunderstanding rather than it being it being treated as if I was stealing from the company - which is obviously grounds of dismissal

How have they treated it as if you were stealing from the company? Surely they have just denied your expenses claim.

I agree with this.

You were offered a taxi as you were too upset to travel alone on public transport. You then took it upon yourself to get public transport as you felt ok enough to get your usual transport home. Therefore the train ticket is your responsibility to pay.
Just apologise for the mixup and withdraw the expense claim.

Your question is a little unclear re YABU v YANBU. However, I voted YABU because I read it as you’re being unreasonable to worry about it as your manager appeared to offer to book a taxi for you. A simple conversation should sort this out. Good luck 🍀

Was the incident the fault of your employer?

Just say 'Barbara offered me a taxi on the company, but conscious of the cost at around £100, I elected to use the train to try and save the company money. So I'm a bit confused that my expense request had been questioned by senior management.'