Should I be able to claim the travel time?

[ysbrydtawel]

OK, here's my situation:


The other day, I arrived at my office, and the DOM had made a mistake on the rota and had one person too many - so he asked me to go to Other DO for the day (in my car). I did this, then drove straight home from Other DO.

Now, when it came to claiming my hours, I claimed fuel money for 10 miles, and I claimed travel time for the drive from Other DO to home. He told me I couldn't do this, as it would have taken me the same amount of time to drive home from my DO (which is true). He also said that since I wasn't working there on overtime, I can't claim it, whereas if I'd been working my day off he would have paid the travel time.

I thought that travel time was paid because really they're supposed to allow for you to get back to your own DO before the end of your duty, so in return for staying at the other DO until your finish time, they pay you the extra time it would have taken for you to get back, so you're not out of pocket?

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

I thought that travel time was paid because really they're supposed to allow for you to get back to your own DO before the end of your duty, so in return for staying at the other DO until your finish time, they pay you the extra time it would have taken for you to get back, so you're not out of pocket?

The mistake you made was assuming he would pay the over time with asking him first, you needed to get him to agree to pay that overtime prior to incurring it, there is no rule that says he has to pay you ot for what you have done without asking him, you should have said to him you will be finishing at your home DO at your finishing time, then he probably would have agreed to pay it or more than likely backed down, personally i would have asked for transport from your DO and back rather than use your own car

[ysbrydtawel]

The mistake you made was assuming he would pay the over time with asking him first, you needed to get him to agree to pay that overtime prior to incurring it, there is no rule that says he has to pay you ot for what you have done without asking him, you should have said to him you will be finishing at your home DO at your finishing time, then he probably would have agreed to pay it or more than likely backed down, personally i would have asked for transport from your DO and back rather than use your own car

Ah right, I see what you mean. Thing is, in my office nobody ever asks if they should go over - they just do, and he always pays the overtime.

Problem is, if I did ask for transport he'd stop sending me to other offices, and in summer I kinda rely on that for overtime. Difficult one.

[bigcol]

I hope you've got business use on your car insurance as you'd likely not be covered if you've only got commuting.

[ysbrydtawel]

I hope you've got business use on your car insurance as you'd likely not be covered if you've only got commuting.

Well, I am commuting. It's not like I'm carrying mail in the car or using it for delivery.

[bigcol]

Well, I am commuting. It's not like I'm carrying mail in the car or using it for delivery.

Doesn't matter. Commuting usually only covers one place, no follow on journeys.

[UnhappyGremlin]

Well, I am commuting. It's not like I'm carrying mail in the car or using it for delivery.

Doesn't matter. Commuting usually only covers one place, no follow on journeys.

bigcol is right.
You drive to your place of work, YOUR office.
If they ask you to go elsewhere, then they should arrange transport for you, WITHIN the duty time, there and back. Your start and finish times apply at your base office.
Insurance companies will use anything to get out of paying up on a claim, and I'd suspect they'd refuse in a situation like this.