Travel expenses (IT) what do you get?

**xgnr** · 1st August 2007, 18:54

Hi all

Been having a discussion/debate at work regarding travel expenses for an IT services company where staff (consultants or Support staff, permanent not contract) have to travel to a site for meetings or provide on site support etc. This work is usually done as part of a Managed Services Agreement.

The current expense policy is they get there and back at their own cost. Which I believe in unreasonable.

CFO states that if we can recover this then fine we will reimburse. CEO states this is standard practise in the industry (but he is from SA so...) My challenge is to do some research.

By the way this is Auckland... the policy states that this area is defined as any location that has 09 as a dialing prefix which effectively covers a HUGE area.

Interested in any one that works with/has worked in IT services company's and what the policy has been.

I have never struck this "policy" before. Anywhere I have worked it is claimed as mileage or as an expense (taxi etc) or even better, they provide a car.

Feedback much appreciated

BTW the employment offer states that we will pay travel costs (go figure)

Cheers

Stu

**Hitcher** · 1st August 2007, 19:12

You're working for twats. The 09 calling area includes all of Northland. And what idiot would take on a job that involved attending customer call-outs at their own expense?

Is this a serious thread?

**merv** · 1st August 2007, 19:20

Usual thing is if it costs money its a legitimate business expense and as Hitcher says only a twat wouldn't have that covered as part of their contract.

If you're one of the guys involved they should either supply you transport or pay expenses.

If you are using your own vehicle for work check your insurance terms.

**Toaster** · 1st August 2007, 19:24

I'm not in that industry but yes.... if I have to use my own transport, I get reimbursed for travel and parking (and coffee, lunch, dinner, lap dances....)

**MotoGirl** · 1st August 2007, 19:34

I work for a software development company and our situation is this: the company always pays for transport. This applies regardless of whether we catch a taxi, hire a car, or use a company vehicle. We generally oncharge the travel expenses to whichever client we're going to visit.

On the very rare occasion, we will take our own vehicle. If this is the case, we're paid 71 cents a kilometre. For me to drive from Auckland to Tauranga (return) I would pocket around $260 but the petrol only costs me $80.

**imdying** · 1st August 2007, 19:44

Yikes, I work for an IT company... I just charge everything to the credit card... then they pay it all, accomodation, flights, taxis, rentals, donuts, reading material, 5 course dinners, lunch, pay per view movies, everything!

Not sure about the services guys though, I'm 100% sure they'll be reimbursed though.

**xgnr** · 1st August 2007, 20:16

Originally Posted by Hitcher

You're working for twats. The 09 calling area includes all of Northland. And what idiot would take on a job that involved attending customer call-outs at their own expense?

Is this a serious thread?

Indeed it is a serious thread. Issue here is that the expense policy states (and no one reads an expense policy before signing an employment contract right) that your local travel is at your own cost within the city. (defined as 09 call code).

I have staff that work for me that I have always reimbursed yet recently the CFO has spouted the policy. I leaned on him and it was paid.

I have been challenged that this is a "standard" policy. I have said "bullshit" I think it comes from previous Services manager who was a sales person (where package usually includes car/allowance).

Being totally fuked off with this bollocks I am gathering facts from a number of sources as to reality so I can present a valid argument. At the end of the day it's my business unit and any bullshit policy like this impacts my team and their morale.

Its not a regular thing but it pisses me off...

**geoffm** · 1st August 2007, 20:19

Check your insurance - if you are using your vehicle for work purposes, you are not covered! Sure it is your car, and the risk is the same but those are common limits in most policies
I get 65c/km for my own car.
The company pays if I have travel expenses on the job. It is tax deductable for them and not for the wage slave, so it is 2/3 the cost you pay anyway.
G

**Quasievil** · 1st August 2007, 20:19

Company reimburses the employee while carrying out Company business, end of story.
Also, watch your insurance, you might find you arent covered if using your vehicle for company business, its in the fine print or was in my AMI fine print.

**Quasievil** · 1st August 2007, 20:20

Hey Geoffm....................great minds lol

**merv** · 1st August 2007, 20:33

Originally Posted by Quasievil

Hey Geoffm....................great minds lol

Seeing I said it first we do eh!

**MOTOXXX** · 1st August 2007, 21:07

ooh that reminds me i need to fill out an expense claim for my travel.

also there are a lot of IT jobs at the moment. Just start leaving seek pages open on your desk n shit.

**xgnr** · 1st August 2007, 21:24

Originally Posted by MOTOXXX

ooh that reminds me i need to fill out an expense claim for my travel.

also there are a lot of IT jobs at the moment. Just start leaving seek pages open on your desk n shit.

I'm more worried that my staff are going to do the same. i.e. go elsewhere ..god knows its hard enough to get good IT people let alone explain to them why we cant (won't) pay their damn travel costs to a customer site.

Please post to the survey guys. It will help me have some stats

**Lil_Byte** · 1st August 2007, 22:28

Originally Posted by xgnr

I'm more worried that my staff are going to do the same. i.e. go elsewhere ..god knows its hard enough to get good IT people let alone explain to them why we cant (won't) pay their damn travel costs to a customer site.

Please post to the survey guys. It will help me have some stats

I have worked for a number of IT companies including some in the Auckland area. Have always been reimbursed by the company.

An agreement was always in place with our clients and they paid all travel expenses including parking (up on presentation of reciepts). And always travel time as well.

Tell the CFO to get his shit together

**NinjaBoy** · 1st August 2007, 22:41

When I used to work for a Vendor or a consulting firm I either had a company car or my mileage between our office and the client site was always reimbursed.

If my usual place of work was at the client site ( eg. as a consultant on an engagement) then I could only claim the km's in excess of the distance from home to office.

Usually the expense policy is a clause in your employment contract so check this carefully or ask for a copy of the policy before signing.

You've described a rather unusual company policy and is definitely not an industry standard.