Can I claim fuel allowance?

[ysbrydtawel]

Hello - quick question regarding fuel allowance.

I've been employed for about 6 weeks as a reserve at Exampletown DO - I'm on a 20 hour contract, but I've worked about 40 hours most weeks.

Now, this week, I was asked if I could work Monday - Friday at another delivery office (Otherville), as they've literally just gone through their revision and everything's a bit tits-up. I agreed.

I actually live between Exampletown and Otherville, but Exampletown (my normal DO) is nearer to me than Otherville.

My manager didn't tell me this, but a postie I was chatting to today told me I could claim 45p / mile fuel allowance for the distance between my normal DO and the Otherville one, twice a day (going in and coming back) - is this true? This would amount to £90.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

yes its in the 2010 agreement

[ysbrydtawel]

yes its in the 2010 agreement

Hmm, I've looked through but can't seem to find it - what part is it in?

[kewell]

yes its in the 2010 agreement

Hmm, I've looked through but can't seem to find it - what part is it in?

just between otherville & exampletown

[ysbrydtawel]

just between otherville & exampletown

[kwenchycup]

It can be claimed .

Theres 2 levels of pay so make sure you get the right one .

I got about £250 backdated cos I never claimed it weekly .

Manager wasn't amused but I was owed it all the same .

[TrueBlueTerrier]

yes its in the 2010 agreement

Hmm, I've looked through but can't seem to find it - what part is it in?

yes its in the 2010 agreement

my bad

its the P&M agreement http://www.cwu.org/assets/_files/docume ... ment20.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

page 6

pm travel allowances.png

[JiminyBillyBob]

As I understand it using your on vehicle for delivery isn't allowed, but in my office if your walk is a few miles from the office their quite happy to pay you fuel allowance knowing that your using your own car loaded with all your walks bags?

This still seems to be a cloudy area with me, as in my office a lot of people are still using their own cars on delivery, management know about it to a point where they encourage it! When there's not enough vans to go round it would be impossible to get some walks done without people using their own cars.

Can you just turn around and say you refuse to use your own vehicle?

[UnhappyGremlin]

As I understand it using your on vehicle for delivery isn't allowed, but in my office if your walk is a few miles from the office their quite happy to pay you fuel allowance knowing that your using your own car loaded with all your walks bags?

This still seems to be a cloudy area with me, as in my office a lot of people are still using their own cars on delivery, management know about it to a point where they encourage it! When there's not enough vans to go round it would be impossible to get some walks done without people using their own cars.

Can you just turn around and say you refuse to use your own vehicle?

Of course you can. It is RM's responsibility to provide a means of transport. In fact, I believe that car usage is supposed to be stopped on delivery on a national level. In my office, a few still do use their cars, but not many. But they get no fuel allowance, or assistance with insurance etc.
And you should also be aware that, if you are using the vehicle for work, you are required to inform your insurance company and put on business usage to your policy, otherwise it could void your policy and you may not be able to claim.

[JiminyBillyBob]

As I understand it using your on vehicle for delivery isn't allowed, but in my office if your walk is a few miles from the office their quite happy to pay you fuel allowance knowing that your using your own car loaded with all your walks bags?

This still seems to be a cloudy area with me, as in my office a lot of people are still using their own cars on delivery, management know about it to a point where they encourage it! When there's not enough vans to go round it would be impossible to get some walks done without people using their own cars.

Can you just turn around and say you refuse to use your own vehicle?

Of course you can. It is RM's responsibility to provide a means of transport. In fact, I believe that car usage is supposed to be stopped on delivery on a national level. In my office, a few still do use their cars, but not many. But they get no fuel allowance, or assistance with insurance etc.
And you should also be aware that, if you are using the vehicle for work, you are required to inform your insurance company and put on business usage to your policy, otherwise it could void your policy and you may not be able to claim.

I knew there was some reason why you weren't allowed to use your own car, but nothing has ever been said to me about it and if you went to my office you would think it was fine and no problem to use your car on delivery!
So if you had business usage on your insurance policy it would be fine?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Only if you have the right business insurance AND the office/duty has not undergone a Park and Loop revision. If it has then the BOND has been removed and Royal Mail as a company have refused you the right to use your car on official business.

I may be wrong but I think In most cases (if not all) if the employer refuses permission for you to use your car then even if you have business use cover it becomes invalidated.

[JiminyBillyBob]

So if you need a vehicle for your walk and say you no long want to risk using your own car, whats likely to happen?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

So if you need a vehicle for your walk and say you no long want to risk using your own car, whats likely to happen?

Nothing should happen, except if you changed your mind later on, they can refuse permission.

Hower you will annoy the manager, and only you can predict what the implications may be.

[JiminyBillyBob]

So if you need a vehicle for your walk and say you no long want to risk using your own car, whats likely to happen?

Nothing should happen, except if you changed your mind later on, they can refuse permission.

Hower you will annoy the manager, and only you can predict what the implications may be.

Such an annoying situation, now I know using my car wrong, managers know its wrong, and if i say i don't want to they'll make my life hell, and if i get caught out I'll get into all the trouble and the backstabbing managers will probably claim they knew nothing of it! Man RM sucks!

[dvbuk55]

So if you need a vehicle for your walk and say you no long want to risk using your own car, whats likely to happen?

Then they provide it or the walk doesn't go. Have you had a revision? Do you have a rep?