Travelling not included in hours

[Whoppery6k]

I have started a new job as a sales man... When I applied for the roll I was told the company needed people in my local area so I assumed I was going to be pretty local.

Got my first rota and almost passed a brick. I'm travelling all over the place to get to my place of work.
Last week I needed to drive and hour and 15 to and from work. So a extra 2.5 hours on my day pluses the 8.5 hrs working
This week I'm doing 10 hours work at venue. But it's taken me 1 hr 40 to get here. So 3 hrs 20 added to what is already a pretty long day.
So having sat down and looked at my rota I'm contacted to work 40 hrs a week but I'm adding over 10 hours a week in travel to various locations.
Now I've only just started and don't want to rock the boat but it's not what I was told in the interview and I'm pretty sure I seen somewhere that travel time had to be considered as working hours if you don't have a set office.
I could end up anywhere next month at this rate.

[leclerc]

Re: Travelling not included in hours

My understanding is that your are correct

[Amethyst]

Re: Travelling not included in hours

Yes indeed.

This might be a useful thread http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...168#post582168

[paulajayne]

Re: Travelling not included in hours

Travelling from home to place of employment is not normally included.

[leclerc]

Re: Travelling not included in hours

Travelling from home to place of employment is not normally included.

However, if you do not have a set workplace, see post 1, then it is included

[Whoppery6k]

Re: Travelling not included in hours

That's where I'm struggling..... If I'm given my locations a few days in advance, does that count as a set place of work?
My manager has a huge region and in all fairness he could actually send me to any location he chooses. Some are almost 3 hours drive.
Currently I'm contracted for 40hrs and doing over 50 hrs with travel I really don't fancy that increasing.
But am I only allowed to question 2 hours of travel because employees are only allowed to work a maximum 48hr week or the 10hrs because I'm contacted to 40?

[Amethyst]

Re: Travelling not included in hours

No it doesn't count as a set place of work. You haven't opted out of the working time directive so can only work 48 hours a week. Travel to your first appointment and back from last is included in your hours. You aren't on minimum wage I'd guess? so it probably wouldn't affect pay but you shouldn't work more than 48 hrs including your travelling time.

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1373 for a little more info

Are you wanting to try using the EU ruling to encourage your employer to give you more work in your local area as was intimated at your interview?

Do you get petrol etc paid ?

[Whoppery6k]

Re: Travelling not included in hours

Yes petrol paid....
I'm just going to ask for more work a little closer to home and not try and be smart throwing eu rulings around.
But yesterday it was almost 3 and half hours added on to my day in travel.
I don't mind driving a hour and a bit a day but I think 3:30hrs is a little excessive.
What if the have me doing it every day?
If they say I go where I'm told I may have to bring it up

[Amethyst]

Re: Travelling not included in hours

If they have you travelling over an hour there and back ever day then you have an issue with the working time directive, for what that is worth.... unless you're a driver as a job, but I didn't get that impression - more working on projects with clients etc.

I do agree unless your job is really secure and you have been there a while I wouldn't be quoting EU directives or case law at them, especially as its still a little bit 'in the air' how it actually translates in the UK.

Just arrange a chat with your manager and explain that you were told the job would be at locations in your local area and the travelling is a bit much, you don't mind the odd occassion where it is necessary .... maybe as is there anything you can do to 'get' clients more local to you ? Or is the company expecting to bring clients in your area on board in the near future ( hence employing you in that area) ? If you are going to be in one location for 3 days straight and it's 3.30 hrs every day - it could be more efficient to stay down there ( but obvs that depends on your personal circumstances at home )

My other half is in a bit of a similar position, he took a job which was meant to cover the local area ( within 45 mins) and seems to spend half his life an hour and a half travel away.... but the work he does is worth it and he is usually back at a sensible time, travel is a company car/van.