Currently get co. car. employer wishes to take back this benefit what are my rights?

Answer 1

Hey Carroll,

Have you asked your employer what your options are? It is probably just a cost cutting move since the lease is now over. If you are posting this from in the US, then this is not necessarily considered compensation. It's kind of like the office coffee pot or the water cooler, a convenience.

Has your employer told you what they are offering in lieu of the company car? (Mileage, insurance reimbursement, parking permits) Are you expected to visit with clients regularly? Will your current vehicle reflect poorly on the company? Depending on the answers to these questions you might be able to:
1). Lease the car back from the leasing company - you already know how the car runs and the maintenance history
2). Be able to work out an equitable reimbursement plan with your company that is not adversarial.
3). Look like the hero in all of this. Other employees that also get company cars are going to complain like hell. Rise above that fray and find out how you can be of assistance.

You have no rights because this is not considered compensation, but do yourself the favor of positioning yourself in the winning category.

Good Luck,

James in San Diego

Answer 2

Employers generally don't reduce an employee's package unless there is some formal reason, eg disciplinary or an agreed change of contract. Otherwise they may be liable for a constructive dismissal suit. A company car that was not part of your benefits package but was provided simply as part of a role, eg travelling salesperson, would of course only be available to you while in that role and you would return it if your role changed (use of such a car for private purposes would be permissive, not a right). If the car is being taken back because your employer wishes to end the company car scheme, eg because it is administratively inconvenient, employee packages would normally be adjusted to compensate.

Answer 3

loss of company benefits is a change to your employment conditions and there should be some compensation for that in your pay packet. before you negotiate with the company give consideration to the cost of the company car to the company and the cost of purchase and running of your own car and the percentage of the cost which can be related to your job. You should then be able to come to a figure as an increase in the pay packet

Answer 4

You probably need to look at your contract of employment. It may also help your cause if others at the company in jobs like yours have use of one. Failing that, do you feel confident enough to ask for eg expenses towards using a new car? Or could you go to another company where they will give you one?

Answer 5

Read the employee handbook it depends what state your in. I believe in most states it's illegal unless your being terminated. If you are you have 30 days of insurance (benefits) left. After that you should be given an option to buy health insurance off of them through "cobra" for up to 18 months (might be 12-16)

Answer 6

you should have a contract in writing that states your rights.If this contract is broken by the other party then get a lawyer.If it is in the contract that they can take back this right then watch out because if you complain to much about their rights then they could be the one getting a lawyer.

good luck and hope this answered your question

Answer 7

I'd refer to staff manual and see where you stand. Failing that, Citizens Advice should be able to help

Answer 8

you have the right to bend over and take it up the tail pipe!

Answer 9

Read your contract, it should tell you what you need to know.

Answer 10

you got no rights about this, it's their property and it's up to them what they do with it sorry dude