question to halforum: work travel

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Ravenpoe

Ravenpoe

Ok, so the forum ate my first posting on this:

I'm applying for a new job, and the employer has mentioned that I may need to travel up to once or twice a week to nearby cities to work at those branch locations, as well as the local location, which is the one I'm applying for.

The closest location that he listed that I would have to travel to is 60 miles away, a 120 mile round trip, and a full 100 miles more than I would be traveling to the local branch.

My question is if the employer is required to offer compensation for that additional travel? This is in the state of Florida, in case any state regulations apply for that.

I'll of course find out when I talk to him next if they'd be willing to do that, but I like to know ahead of time what, if anything, is required.

Can anyone help me with this?
 
strawman

strawman

Generally, unless the contract specifies otherwise, any travel using a personal vehicle to and from locations for work purposes that are not the primary location of business should be expensed to the business. Rather than asking if they recompense for business travel, you should ask at what rate do they pay. Should be $0.40/mile or better.

Even if they don't, however, you may be able to get a tax deduction if you keep track of your driving and itemize your deductions.
 
SpecialKO

SpecialKO

I think it depends on the state, the amount of expense, and mode of transportation.

If you're driving your own vehicle, than steiny has the right of it, and there may be additional insurance considerations as far as your own policy is concerned that your company would need to address.

If you're driving a company car, they should be at least paying for gas, and they should be insured already for you to be driving it, and you should be insured for injury. Anything more may depend on local law, though I would negotiate for more anyway.

If you're taking public transportation, I think you have to check whether your State has a minimum compensation threshold. If you have to go that far away, you probably blow past it, but you never know.
 
R

rabbitgod

Call your state department of labor. Here in Arizona they have a couple people from 9-5 available to answer any questions.

But yeah, there's probably a minimum. A $/mile like Stienman said or maybe a per diem like my wife usually gets. If you drive your car keep track of everything you spend and keep a copy of every note. That way you can get full compensation from the employer or for your taxes. Be meticulous so that there is never a question about what you are due.

Here in Arizona, depending on certain situations, the employer has to pay at least minimum wage for travel time. It's a hold out from before the Interstate system when it took 20+ hours to get anywhere.
 
Ravenpoe

Ravenpoe

Update: Finally heard back from them. The good news is I'm hired, and start in two weeks!

The bad news is that they will not be covering mileage. For the first two months, they want me to commute to a location that's roughly 60 miles away from the location I'm being hired at 4 times a week for the first two months, to cover for someone going on leave there, and then supposedly travel less once that period is over, though still as needed.

Rather than pay for mileage, they've told me they're giving me a 50 cent increase in pay from what I was offered.

Now, this actually doesn't seem like a bad compromise, since I'll be making more than I would have before once this two month period is over. However, should they ask me to travel more in the future, would my agreeing to this make me unable to ask for compensation should they ask me to travel further?
 
C

Chibibar

Ravenpoe said:
Update: Finally heard back from them. The good news is I'm hired, and start in two weeks!

The bad news is that they will not be covering mileage. For the first two months, they want me to commute to a location that's roughly 60 miles away from the location I'm being hired at 4 times a week for the first two months, to cover for someone going on leave there, and then supposedly travel less once that period is over, though still as needed.

Rather than pay for mileage, they've told me they're giving me a 50 cent increase in pay from what I was offered.

Now, this actually doesn't seem like a bad compromise, since I'll be making more than I would have before once this two month period is over. However, should they ask me to travel more in the future, would my agreeing to this make me unable to ask for compensation should they ask me to travel further?
Click to expand...
If that is the case, keep a mileage log when you go to and from work (either location) Keep gas receipts and either research or talk to a CPA. There are deduction allow that is outside of your normal scope of work (i.e. travel expenses)
 
C

Chazwozel

Ravenpoe said:
Update: Finally heard back from them. The good news is I'm hired, and start in two weeks!

The bad news is that they will not be covering mileage. For the first two months, they want me to commute to a location that's roughly 60 miles away from the location I'm being hired at 4 times a week for the first two months, to cover for someone going on leave there, and then supposedly travel less once that period is over, though still as needed.

Rather than pay for mileage, they've told me they're giving me a 50 cent increase in pay from what I was offered.

Now, this actually doesn't seem like a bad compromise, since I'll be making more than I would have before once this two month period is over. However, should they ask me to travel more in the future, would my agreeing to this make me unable to ask for compensation should they ask me to travel further?
Click to expand...

I recommend getting a great gas mileage car.
 
sixpackshaker

sixpackshaker

Sounds like they are treating this as an alternative work site, and not travel in a traditional sense. Normally when you get payed travel, is when you are truly traveling (100's of miles and overnigt,) or they are using you and your vehicle for work purposes (running errands, making deliveries.)

Sixty miles one way is a commute for many people.

Good luck, I wish they would pay you for those miles, but not in this situation.
 
Ravenpoe

Ravenpoe

Thanks for the congrats. Despite my small issue with the travel, I'm happy to get the job. It pays better than my current job, and has better hours. The commute to the alternate site isn't that bad, I used to make a similar trip every day going to school.

Thanks for the advice. I'll log all my travel, and see if those can be deducted from taxes.
 
W

Wasabi Poptart

I don't have anything to add as far as compensation for mileage. However, congrats on the new job!!
 
C

Chazwozel

Ravenpoe said:
Thanks for the congrats. Despite my small issue with the travel, I'm happy to get the job. It pays better than my current job, and has better hours. The commute to the alternate site isn't that bad, I used to make a similar trip every day going to school.

Thanks for the advice. I'll log all my travel, and see if those can be deducted from taxes.
Click to expand...

I think you should get a bike.

You'll be buff in about 2 weeks of 'work'.
 
C

Chibibar

Chazwozel;320086][quote=Ravenpoe said:
Thanks for the congrats. Despite my small issue with the travel, I'm happy to get the job. It pays better than my current job, and has better hours. The commute to the alternate site isn't that bad, I used to make a similar trip every day going to school.

Thanks for the advice. I'll log all my travel, and see if those can be deducted from taxes.
Click to expand...

I think you should get a bike.

You'll be buff in about 2 weeks of 'work'.[/QUOTE]

That is for sure. Can you imagine the workout :) of course only if your work has a shower (mine does)
 
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