my rights at work with relocating?

Question

i am based in basingstoke working for the rail industry.the question i would like answered is the small office we work out of is being sold to a taxi company meaning we are being moved to southampton.Well i llve nearer to southampton then basingstoke, but the strange thing is as i do not drive it is easier for me to get to basingstoke by train and home on very late shifts , where as in southqampton i do not have any late trains to get me back , and my house is about 8 miles away.just wondered do the company have to cater for this and is there any payment i should recieve for this

Answer 1

If you are being displaced you do not have to take a place at Southampton, you are entitled to apply for any job that you enables you to get to and from home and you will be paid travelling time for this, alternatively they will have to accomodate you at the office in Southampton by ensuring you do not have shifts that finish after your last train has gone.

I would suggest you speak with your RMT rep for full details on this matter.

Answer 2

First thing you need to do is get hold of your local RMT, TSSA, ASLEF LDC Rep and enquire as to the situation of the closure, if they know nothing about it they will look into the matter either talking to the local manager, or go to Company Council to see what is happening. Once they have this information they will advise you of the time scale you are looking for and to what the company will do to accomodate your problem.
If the company is closing the office and relocating you, then the company MUST listen to your problems and ensure that you can get to and from the location you are being moved to within a time agreeable to yourself. Otherwise they will have to offer you alternative employment at the same grade.
It may mean you only do Early shift, or a Day shift, but they must take this into consideration, unless they are willing to supply a daily taxi for yourself.
If you are not in any Union, then you will have to contact your line manager and explain the situation, they will still have to listen to you. Make sure you keep a copy of all corrospondance, letters and meetings over this.

Answer 3

Due to the fact that THEY are relocating you and IF your contract states that your "home station" ie Work location is Basingstoke, your company are obliged to pay you travel expenses from Basingstoke to Southampton. This is usually the case but is something you would need to speak to your union rep about as they will be clued up to your circumstances. The same thing is happening to my colleagues at the moment so I am pretty sure you are entitled to travel expenses.

Answer 4

It will depend on your contract of employment. Good employers will pay relocation expenses, or increased travel costs for a period of time, but you can only insist on it if it is in your contract. Read what it says - the standard form of contract often has words to the effect 'you will be required to work at any of the company's offices/sites'. If it says that without any proviso to pay you additional costs you have a problem. Speak to your HR department about it.