Overseas trips with work - what are my rights/entitlements legally?

[Beemer]

i wish my boss would send me overseas on a trip but he is a cunt, also im self employed

Same here! And the only overseas trips I've ever had with any jobs were from Wellington to the South Island!

But I think something like $50-$100NZ a day wouldn't be unreasonable for overseas travel - it would cover your meals and give you an allowance for being away from home.

[Max Preload]

The last overseas work I did was last millenium (mainly because I've been self-employed since before the turn of the century and I'm not interested in travelling beyond our borders for work because I don't have to). They paid for everything and $150 per diem and I wouldn't accept anything less now. Remember whom is doing whom the favour.

[retro asian]

I was taught that the rule of thumb was you could buy a restaurant meal and one or two drinks on the company. Drinks in excess of that should be paid for yourself.

For any other expenses (parking, taxis, accomodation e.t.c) the company should definitely pay. The way we do it is by using a co credit card and saving the receipts of non-credit card expenses. It's a good Idea to reconcile the receipts every night in the hotel room, as they can build up.
When I get back, the company refunds me on all the receipts.
Its nice if the company gives you some cash beforehand though.

[warewolf]

Don't know that there are any fixed rights in this matter. Definitely negotiate up front; sounds like the biggest issue is the uncertainty. Sort that first, perhaps let the boss know it is stressing you - which means reduced focus on the job at hand. Maybe agree a minimum per diem float, notwithstanding a reconciliation to the categories later.

Many of my big business trips have been with big corporates. Their rules were formalised and published (esp. regarding hotel stars and flight class), but basically came down to: you are expected to provide your own lunch per normal (unless a dept outing or whatnot) and incur expenses per a prudent traveler/as if you were paying for it/to suit the business goal. Working for a brewing conglomerate meant that alcohol was never frowned on, in fact you were expected to share. Your own - or the company's - credit card funded things, although hotel bills often went on the company account.

Time-wise, well I was salaried and worked lots of overtime anyway. They certainly got their worth from me, doing lots of computer stuff outside office hours to minimise disruption. They threw in a few bonuses here and there but the nature of my work meant little time for touristing and lots of unpaid overtime. Dining/pubbing/clubbing was considered 'product/customer analysis' so was paid for.