£180 deducted from my final salary for car cleaning

[Kkimjones18]

Hi all. So... after 2 months working in a sales job, the manager took a dislike to me and I got given a week's notice, that's a different subject. So, I got 1 week's pay as notice and asked to return my car the day after they dismissed me, which they collected. The car had been used about 5 time's, and was in the same condition as was delivered to me.
I received my final 'week' pay which as a single mum left me financially in a crisis, but then they deducted £180 from that for 'cleaning of the returned car'. I couldn't believe it. They didn't tell me prior, and apparently, they don't have to. It left me unable to even buy food.
Is this reasonable?

Ask for receipt from the service who cleaned it.

Yes they did send a quote for 'car valet due to change of driver'... however, £180, without informing me? It's just wrong 😭

They aren't allowed to deduct money from your salary like that without your permission even if it's something you owe them. It's illegal. You could contact Acas.

I would be fuming!
They sent a quote or the invoice?
When they send the invoice, check it's genuine by calling the Valeting place.
Trust no one.

Unless her contract or a policy she signed states this, then they can of course. In the same way study sponsorship fees or a bonus can be recouped if it falls under a signed policy

Does it take you below minimum wage after the deduction has been made, if so that’s one thing you could report them on

So I thought this, but apparently if your contact States that they can make deductions, then they can. It's so unfair 😭

They sent the invoice after it was done as I asked for it , I had no idea it was happening. I've already rang and spoke with the guy who printed the invoice out at the garage, I think it's a bit dodgy as he had a very particularly strong storey about this invoice 🤷

Unfortunately not, no. 😭

Yes, I did and they sent it.

Apparently it's in my contract 😭🤷

You are well shot of that job and that manager.

Imagine the sort of stunts they would have pulled if you continued to work there.

Well it's really shitty behaviour but probably not illegal by the sound of it, unfortunately.

I don't think there is much you can do, and I know it leaves you in a bad situation now, but in some ways you are well rid of such an awful employer.

I hope you find something better soon.

Yes I know, it was awful, in ethical and just wrong... however I was getting paid... now I am a single mum who can't pay her rent 😭... and they made it worse by taking £180, that would of fed us for the month. These people aren't human

Was the contract specific about deduction for cleaning if the car is returned?

Employers can cover deductions in the contract but it has to be specific, reasonable and proportionate. £180 for a car valet after being used 5 times doesn't seem to be reasonable. And they have to inform you before the deduction is made.

Did you have sole use of the car / personal use allowed or was it a work tool only?

Acas still a good shout as I very much doubt this is a lawful deduction.

It was a company car for business use, and was allowed to use for personal use but limited. Yes, I had sole use of the car. They told me on Tuesday I was being dismissed and picked the car up on Thursday, I had hardly used it. I had a little more on my mind than getting a car cleaned, that was in perfectly reasonable condition. I'm literally just gutted and shocked. I needed that money 😭

Last time I had a company car, the contract also included deductions for cleaning if the car was returning to the pool for someone else to use. Whilst this may be an unpleasant company, the policy is not unusual, and if you were the one receiving the car next, you would want it to be valeted. Your status as a single mother is nothing to do with them, they have to apply policies equally to all.

Hopefully, you find another job soon

It will be a standard process that happens when a company car is returned and (as you’ve confirmed) the charge is mentioned in your contract / company car policy. Doesn’t matter if it’s 2 months or 2 years, they will deep clean between drivers.

I dare say the £180 is a figure that includes the actual cleaning cost plus admin by whoever leases the car / manages the car process. I’m surprised you even got a copy of the invoice as it was not your car and the clean wasn’t done for you but for the company.

But yes, it’s crap to be hit with it especially when you have a bad taste in your mouth at how your manager drove you out.

I got a ticket for driving in a restricted lane once and the ‘admin fee’ that the payroll team took off my wages to make a note on my driver record was more than the fine I paid to the council! Now that did piss me off.

Sounds like you’re well out of it and best of luck for your new place.

Hmm, not sure about this. £180 deduction for cleaning a car, with absolutely no authorisation from me prior?

You did authorise it, though. You signed the contract that said they can make deductions and I bet there’s something in the company car policy that says either you have to clean it or they change you for the clean.

Earlier you said there was more on your mind than cleaning a car (as there would be, of course, and you had hardly any time to do it before they collected it) but does that mean you SHOULD have cleaned it and didn’t, and that’s why it’s been professionally valeted? If you’d cleaned it, would you have avoided the £180?

Op, speak to Acas. If they didn't inform you of this deduction, and you didn't agree or have the opportunity to query why 5 uses warrants a £180 clean, it will likely be an unlawful deduction.

www.davidsonmorris.com/unlawful-deduction-of-wages/

Just because things are in contracts doesn't mean they are lawful or enforceable. Shit employers often rely on people assuming in contract = must be ok

Why would you need to authorise something that was in your contract?
I would focus your energy on finding a new job, not on fighting a standard practice

Seek advice as suggested.

A few fake reviews about the product or service you were selling would cost them far more than £180. I'm sure you wouldn't do that, but I can imagine someone else treated equally as badly could.

£180

How the feck does a valet cost that?

But there’s nothing in that link that contradicts what’s happened. OP says it was in her contract. OK we haven’t got the exact wording but to quote from that link:

‘Wage deductions should be expressly addressed in the employment contract and included in the applicable employee handbook and policies.’

For all we know, it sounds like it was referenced in either/both the contract and company car policy. We don’t know how ‘expressly’ but as @ItsFuckingBoringFeedingEveryoneUntilYouDie said upthread, this is a pretty standard arrangement when it comes to company cars so I’d be surprised if it wasn’t.