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Original poster

What would you feel is fair? Return from maternity.

53 replies

Slinky40 · 20/04/2024 22:06

I have decided to go back to work at the end of July after 10 months off after having dd1. I hope to work around half of my old hours but work don’t know this is my plan yet. With my full time job came use of a car, iPad and phone. It’s a super small business and the car etc are not part of my contract. It’s a pool car that generally only I use. I got the use of a car after working super hard for a couple of years as a reward. I use 99% personal and 1% for work. My boss is really great and he didn’t mention the car etc when I left for maternity I just took home and continued to use throughout because no one said otherwise. I don’t have access to another car and it’s just dawned on me that there may be a change to this for two reasons, the business hire of the car is finishing at the end of the year (I seen the finance docs, my boss didn’t tell me) and I won’t be returning to work full time.

what do you all think is a fair way to move forward? I obv would like to continue with car use but understand fully that may not be fair on the business nor possible.

the use of a car isn’t in my contract.

OP posts:
patchworkpal · 20/04/2024 22:07

Ask them but I imagine they'll not give you a car. It's a perk you've had for a couple of years.

helpfulperson · 21/04/2024 07:46

Presumably you been paying tax on the use of the car so that will affect your overall benefit package. Getting a replacement car is unlikely but a small increase in salary to cover the loss would be reasonable.

Cottonwoolball · 21/04/2024 07:50

It doesn’t sound like a company car, just a car the company has that you use? It’s a tricky situation as you’ve been benefitting from their goodwill really and as it’s a small company would probably depend on how favourable they are to your reduced hours!

Helpfullright · 21/04/2024 07:54

I would be more worried about them accepting a reduced hours as a priority. I would be having that conversation first given you have to give 8 weeks notice to return soon.

whowhatwerewhy · 21/04/2024 08:14

I would first plan on discussing reducing my hours with my boss in order to arrange child care .
You seem to be focused on a car , that you have been aloud to use , rather than your actual return to work.

HappyEater · 21/04/2024 08:16

Yeah, I’d check they’re ok with your halving your hours first.

If it’s not in your contract, you can’t assume anything about the car. If you’re only doing the job half of the time, presumably whoever does it the rest of the time might need access to the pool car.

MumChp · 21/04/2024 08:19

Fair way to move forward?

You have been very luvky with that car even under maternity leave. No you can't expect to carry on.

I would worry more about reduced hours - can you return?

SquashPenguin · 21/04/2024 08:19

I have a vehicle as part of my contract (van so I don’t pay for it like I would a car), but when I go on maternity next month I have to leave it behind. I would be amazed if you got use of that car again, especially if you want to halve your hours.

dementedpixie · 21/04/2024 08:43

You need to give 8 weeks notice to return early and need to do a flexible working request to reduce your hours so you better contact them fairly soon.

Peonies12 · 21/04/2024 08:46

You’ve been very lucky to get to use a work car so much personally and during Mat leave. I hope their insurance covers that. I’d focus on the conversation about reducing your hours, that’s a big reduction especially for a small company. And you have to give notice to go back early

Logistria · 21/04/2024 09:29

and I won’t be returning to work full time.

You will be if you haven't made and they haven't agreed a flexible working request to reduce your hours.

That's not a pool car, it very clearly fails to meet the conditions to be treated as one. You should have been paying tax on the benefit in kind of the car.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/use-of-company-pooled-cars-or-vans-480-chapter-15

Use of company pooled cars or vans (480: Chapter 15)

Find out about more information for the use of pooled cars or vans.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/use-of-company-pooled-cars-or-vans-480-chapter-15

CelesteCunningham · 21/04/2024 09:41

I can't believe you just took the car home on maternity leave! Blush

I would expect that IF your employer agrees to you going part-time, you will only have the use of the car on your working days. But then this clearly isn't a typical set up.

CelesteCunningham · 21/04/2024 09:42

I can't believe you just took the car home on maternity leave! Blush

I would expect that IF your employer agrees to you going part-time, you will only have the use of the car on your working days. But then this clearly isn't a typical set up.

Starbugg · 21/04/2024 09:47

I’m amazed you kept the car whilst on maternity leave. I do wonder how much of that was your boss being generous or if he actually felt bad taking it off you knowing you will have a baby and no other car.

But I agree with others - focus on getting your adjusted hours first. You say it’s your plan as though it’s guaranteed but that’s not how it works - your work needs to actually approve it.

SheilaFentiman · 21/04/2024 10:11

They may or may not choose to get another pool car after the lease ends on this one. But it’s not part of your official benefits so you don’t get a say

SheilaFentiman · 21/04/2024 10:12

Also if, for example, you end up in a job share, your Co worker may want the car half ther week

2024theplot · 21/04/2024 10:19

As others have said, I would focus on whether or not work will allow you to go back on half your hours, that's quite the reduction!
The car is a taxable work perk, if you've not declared it to HMRC then I would worry about a tax bill landing on your desk too. Your work will declare their side of the company car on their tax returns, so it would only take HMRC cross referencing the tax returns for them to find out.

TinyYellow · 21/04/2024 10:22

Fair would be you graciously accepting whatever decision the company makes on the car and thanking them for the perk you’ve had so far. Fair is also telling them asap that you only want to return for half of your contracted hours.

Hoppinggreen · 21/04/2024 10:24

I had my car on Mat leave many years ago, I even got a new one during it.
However, it was in my contract and I paid tax on it as a benefit in kind
I think you are doing women no favours with your attitude - you want to come back part time (which many small businesses cant cope with) and keep a car you have no contractual right to and dont really use for work.

CJ0374 · 21/04/2024 11:00

2024theplot · 21/04/2024 10:19

As others have said, I would focus on whether or not work will allow you to go back on half your hours, that's quite the reduction!
The car is a taxable work perk, if you've not declared it to HMRC then I would worry about a tax bill landing on your desk too. Your work will declare their side of the company car on their tax returns, so it would only take HMRC cross referencing the tax returns for them to find out.

This ^

pinkyredrose · 21/04/2024 12:15

Why can't you buy your own car as it's so important to you?

Gcsunnyside23 · 21/04/2024 12:15

I think it a bit cheeky to take the car with you on maternity leave. But your priority here needs to be to check if they can accommodate those hours. You are planning to half your work time, it's never guaranteed they will accept this. But yeah I would start budgeting for a new car

ShalommJackie · 21/04/2024 12:22

Can't believe you just took the car!

Also are you even covered for 99% personal and 1% business...

You also need to give notice of your intention to return to work and to half your hours. They have to approve it though you can't just say 'I'm going to do half hours now'

Original poster
Slinky40 · 21/04/2024 12:49

whowhatwerewhy · 21/04/2024 08:14

I would first plan on discussing reducing my hours with my boss in order to arrange child care .
You seem to be focused on a car , that you have been aloud to use , rather than your actual return to work.

Yeah this is because I’ve unofficially been told part time won’t be an issue :)

OP posts:
whowhatwerewhy · 21/04/2024 13:06

If you have already negotiated your return unofficially then surely you asked about the car , a car that is not yours , is not in your contract, doesn't form part of your contract, and can therefore be taken of you at any time .
Your employer hadn't needed the car during your maternity so I presume can see it's of no benefit to the business.