Negotiating travel expenses

[Josettegrey]

So I saw a role advertised as ‘home based or hybrid’. Applied for it and was offered role. They’ve said that I would be needed in office 2-3 days a month as required and can do this back to back if that is more helpful. I guessed this would probably be the case.

Despite it being a 7 hour round trip, I am happy to do this as it is my dream role. HOWEVER I have some questions before I meet to go through things:

in terms of travel/hotel expenses, should I be paying for these?

in order to get to office for 9am I would need to get a peak train which departs at 5.30am. I can work on the train, so do I negotiate these as working hours?

if they won’t cover travel expenses (fuel or train), could I ask them to just cover hotel?

if I am covering travel, could I ask to travel on off peak trains to save money, but work. Would mean being in the office from 11.30am but able to stay later as staying overnight.

I am able to drive to the office (still a v long journey) but if I drove could this be considered working time?

I’ve never been in this situation before and feel a bit clueless.

there is a slight payrise with this role, but would rather it wasnt swallowed up with outgoings of £150 a month (sometimes more).

If the office is your normal place of work alongside your home then I doubt you can claim travel expenses as HMRC doesn’t allow you to claim for travel from home to work.
If you accepted the role based on full time WFH or your contract states your place of work is your home then you should be able to.
You may be able to negotiate more money if you can’t claim travel expenses

Travel to your place of work is not a travel expense as such. You don't get paid to go to your place of work. You knew the place of work when you applied/were offered the job.

Travel expenses are what you claim for travel as a part of the job ie. to a client, course etc

If you are choosing to take a hybrid role 31/2 hours away your cost to commute is usually your responsibility. Nor would your travel time or overnight be paid.

Also no your time spent travelling to work is not work time!

I commute to the office on a 3 hour train. I can work flexibly so I do consider time spent on emails after 9am to be work time ie I don't make up the travel time in the evenings. I pay for all my travel expenses and I don't get hotel paid either. It means my actual salary is significantly reduced by the extortionate travel costs. But as others have said this was my choice so I didnt ask for these expenses to be covered and nor would they be.

On the other hand my DH is currently negotiating travel expenses with his work because they have asked for him to spend more time in the office. So instead of him working primarily from home he will be in the office a lot more.

So basically I think the answer is that you can ask to have them covered/a contribution or be given an allowance but fully expect for the request to be rejected as you've accepted knowing the deal.

Congratulations on the new job!

UK tax law, the place you work the most hours from. So you Home will be your place of work, so you should be paid tevael expenses to an alternative location. I would also say that the hotel and working on a train are also reasonable, but I would get it confirmed in writing before signing the contract.

@Napmum the place of work can be nominated to be the office, even if the majority of working time is spent elsewhere.

Whether you can claim travel or hotel accommodation is down to the company. Generally no because it's part of your contract to be able to be in the office, the distance you are is up to you. That said it's worth asking politely

Thank you all for your feedback.