Question around mobility clause wording

[FelingBlu]

The company I work for (full time for 20 years), is currently having a restructure of certain elements, and they want to move me to another location of the business. The new location is relatively similar travel wise, however it is a much smaller operation with much less responsibility and similar to what I was doing 15 years ago. So to me it feels like a massive step backwards. For transparency and fairness to them, they are allowing me to remain on my current salary despite my previous points. The company are relying on a mobility clause in my contract however I am disputing the actual meaning.

Your normal place of work will be 'X' location. The Company reserves the right to require you from time to time to perform your duties at other locations within reasonable travelling distance of your home address.

Now I read that as they may want me to work somewhere else from time to time, for example 'can you help out at 'X' location for a couple of days next week as they are short handed' etc, however the company are saying it means they can ask me to move permanently from time to time.

I don't know if it has any relevance, but the newer contracts they issue (mine is 15 years old) specifically state that the company may require a permanent move.

I have escalated my issue up to the HR department and the person dealing with the restructure, and was effectively told their understanding is right and I'm wrong so tough.

If anyone can offer any advice on this it would be gratefully received. Even if it's 'nope, you are definitely wrong so give up now!'

Thanks

[efpom]

Your interpretation and example are correct. There is no legal definition of "time to time", the ordinary meaning is equivalent to "occasionally".

The HR person was not named "Mandy Rice Davis", by any chance?

[FelingBlu]

Thanks for your reply. I guess the question I have to ask myself is how far I want to push this.

Judging by my recent contacts with the HR department as a whole over the last few months on different topics, I think they have all been to the Mandy Rice Davis school......