Jza

Hi guys,

Wonder if anyone knows about employment contracts?

I signed to start working for a company that has several offices around the UK - including one in Derby. I signed with them on the basis that my "working office" was my nearest office - which as i live in Leicester is Derby.

They have opened a new office in the south of Oxford and are telling me this will now be my working office.

The downshot of this is i cant claim any expenses to travel to my "working office".. meaning i'll be paying over £100 in fuel and spend 25 hours in the car A WEEK extra. I didnt start the job to travel that far - Derby is fine. I do not want to move closer.

Questions:

1) Can they do this to me?

2) They are breaking my terms of employment arent they?

3) If I leave can i take them to court on the grounds that they are forcing me to resign?

Anyone have any advise?

Jza

Drunken Bungle Whore

My first thought would be did they consult with you or anyone else first? Has your job moved or just a change in office location? Is anyone else moving too? Have they offered you any alternatives?

Brendan Hughes

Key phrase - please explain clearly. Written basis, spoken basis, "common sense unspoken agreement" basis?

Otherwise, look at the wording of the contract, find the key bit, and post it up for us.

For implied terms these days, others are better than me.

Jza

My contract states that my "working office is your nearest office".

It was mentioned at the interview but also written down in my contract - so both spoken and written.

Jza

Jza

No consultation... i just got an email advising me that it was going to change.

They have opened a new office that will be a "project office". The idea being that all our consultants will work from there when not on client sites (i do computer consultancy with companies across UK).

Jza

Drunken Bungle Whore

I'm HR qualified (CIPD) and it doesn't sound quite right to me. If its written into your contract and they haven't consulted you then it sounds a bit dodgy - but I think you need some professional advice - start at the CAB and take it from there. Contract law is a nightmare so you need someone who's able to give you qualified legal advice.


Good luck

Jza

I think the point is they are going to try and force me to accept this move. My question is - do i have a right to say "no" to the move at this stage. I take it i should lodge my complaint in writing now ?

Can they force a move anyway?

Brendan Hughes

When did you sign; recently? Sounds v. dirty. Can you sue for constructive dismissal after one week?

fast bloke

They can't force you to move, but they can say they no longer require your services at the first location and give you a choice of move or accept redundancy.

Diablo

Jza

There's probably something in your contract that says you may be required to work from another location.

Most multi location companies will have such a clause.

Mine does, and ecery contract I've had has said the same thing.

"you will be based at/your working office will be X but you may be required to work from (basically anywhere) as the job dictates"

If it doesn't, then what fast bloke said applies.

Diablo

Oh, and btw - you're fcuked whatever happens, as you are now, officially, a "pain in the **** employee"

Its not right, but it happens.

D

Jza

LOL - you got that right

Jza