http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/27/10/2011/117679/doncaster-social-workers-must-accept-pay-cut-or-lose-jobs.htm
"Separate to the negotiations over terms and conditions, the council has announced it will charge employees £700 a year to park - even if they need to use their cars for work, as many social workers do.
Wiles said: "By opening up staff car parks, we will generate income of £400,000 for the council which will help reduce the need for cuts to frontline services and further job losses.""
These are cuts to front line services Mr Spin
Jeez, what a pile of ***......how can they justify charging staff to park when it is part of the conditions of employment that they use their own car for work purposes.....that's already on top of the inadequate payments for fuel use and the wear and tear on the car from using it at work.
I think I'd be refusing to use my car for work purposes.
What's wrong with charging people to park their cars? Employees have no right to free car parking any more than shoppers or visitors to hospitals do.
Essential car users get allowances so any costs incurred in the exercise of ones job can also be reclaimed but only when ones car is actually in use for the performance of the job - not just getting to work - you wouldn't expect to be able to claim back your bus fare just for travelling to work.
A common sense approach is needed.
Rupert M: What's wrong with charging people to park their cars? Employees have no right to free car parking any more than shoppers or visitors to hospitals do. Essential car users get allowances so any costs incurred in the exercise of ones job can also be reclaimed but only when ones car is actually in use for the performance of the job - not just getting to work - you wouldn't expect to be able to claim back your bus fare just for travelling to work. A common sense approach is needed.
They're not expecting to claim home to work miles are they? It's not about that.
There needs to be some equality as some offices are city centre (paid car parks) and others are out of town, lots of free parking. Having worked in a city centre and subject to seasonal parking pressures, I often used to spend an hour trailing around for a space- good use of social work time.
Buses must be the answer. Another thing- few local authorities now pay the car allowance and for those that do, the days are numbered.
Spot on!
Being provided with free car parking is a 'perk' not a right.
If you are not expected to use your car for work but use it just for commuting, then I can (reluctantly) accept paying for car parking.
But how can you say that it is justified if car use is expected as part of the job? There is no automatic mechanism to claim those car parking costs back as far as I can see. It's just expected to come out of the worker's pocket. Not all workers who are expected to use their car for work gets an allowance or lump sum - I don't. I just get a mileage rate which does not even cover the cost of the petrol that I use in the job.
Free parking is not a 'perk' when having a car is essential to your employment.
My LA will not employ Social Workers who do not drive as we cover large, rural area's, some which are in assessable by public transport.
We also lost our essential car users allowance in this years cuts
Isn't the car, for most social workers, one of many 'tools' they use to do their job? "A perk" ? A company car is a perk, a petrol card with it is a perk, complimentary furry dice and a magic tree air freshener would be a 'perk'. The pittance milage allowance compared to fuel prices doesn't cover much at all if we consider the MOT, services, plus wear and tear - I see no 'perk'. I agree with comment above, i'd consider not using my car at all!
Although in addition to this, isn't the car possibly a calm retreat or lifeline from any hostility that social workers might face? I'd prefer to hop in my car if things get 'sticky' rather than leg it down the road for the bus or be sat on the bus leaving an estate sat with parents whose children I might have removed.
Once again, why do the cuts always have to start from the direction of those staff actually performing public facing and significant roles. Never those with a huge salaries sat in meetings all day up to the fat necks in tea and biscuits. :(
Workers should find the nearest free parking spot and walk to work from there. Start on time but then spend half your day walking to and from your car.
Don't worry if its a couple of miles away the walk will be beneficial.
Management would soon have another think, paying you to keep fit.
Oh, and don't increase your hours to make up for lost time. In fact give a few cases back to compensate.
The point is, parking is mainly for the benefit of the employer.
Taking away car parking + pay cut + reduction in mileage + there is no essential car users in Doncaster Rupert.
Did you not read the article? It is a kind of prerequisite for sensible discussion.
Especially Doncaster a cesspit of a children's services for so long - how do they hope to attract?
Much as it galls me, I'm agreeing with Long Gone.
The point is that these are covert cuts to services.
Removing children and relying on buses would have to be perfectly timed.
Lol. ....right gotta go my last bus is due in 5mins....
Swansea have been charging essenital users for the privallige of parking your car since the begining of this year.
We may not like it but thats the way it is.
Go Locum and ltd and offset against company expenses !!!!!!!!!
Al78: Lol. ....right gotta go my last bus is due in 5mins....
Was thinking more about the spare change.
".... thats the way it is."
Only if we accept it.
Support public transport and reduce greenhouse gases!!! I'm all for it.
Right. That's really going to work in rural areas, isn't it? Not.
It's all about planning - Bus Time Tables help!
What planet are you on, Rupert?
The one that says if you need a car then that's your choice. Several LA's do not insist on car ownership and promote the use oif public transport / car sharing.
In rural areas there is still public transport, albeit more limited.
If it is a Condition of Service to have a car then the employer will reimburse mileage.
It's all about choices and accepting that we are in time of austerity.
NO, it's not my choice. It's in the terms and conditions of my contract of employment.
Last year my car broke down severely and I could not afford to fix it. I was told by my manager that if I did not have a car to use for work I was at risk of losing my job.
As I have said before, mileage is given but not at a rate that covers the petrol used, and no lump sum.
And buses in my rural area - two per day.
Obviously we are in a time of austerity, but there have to be limits.
Anyway there ya go. I'm not engaging with you any more about this.
Well, as you accepted the terms and conditions of your Contract you can not blame your employer can you?
Taxis-might not work out as savings in the long run though.