Client site parking and travel time question

[blubell]

Hi all

Appreciate any advice and views on this.

I'm currently on assignment with a client that has on site parking for perm staff only. Although there is parking available, the client chooses to make parking for contractors available off site only.
There are no alternative parking sites available near client site, none that I could even choose to park at and pay for myself, as client site is not in business or retail area (location is a little isolated). Client site is also very poorly serviced by public transport. Client therefore lays on shuttle buses to 2 or 3 points to allow staff to connect to limited public transport. Majority of staff therefore drive and park.

Up until now, alternative parking site for contractors has resulted in extra travel time, but hasn't been too long so has been acceptable. Now client has given up lease on alternative parking site, and given contractors parking at a different alternative parking site, which is considerably further away. This adds an extra hour travel time every day to travel to and from this much further parking site. I will note again that there are no alternatives to parking near client, if there were, I would pay for parking to save the extra travel time. There is, however, parking on site, but the client refuses to make any spaces available to contractors.

What is your take on the extra travel time now being pushed onto contractors? This has been changed part way through contract when expectation on acceptance of contract was parking at closer site (and less travel time).

[NotAllThere]

At renewal time - renegotiate your rate to cover it. Or quit.

[blubell]

Thanks for your input.
I have already decided that at renewal time I need to adjust my rate to account for the extra time, however, I am currently nearish the beginning of a reasonable length contract with client, and this surprise change has been made with no alternative. The client is pushing the cost of the extra time for travel onto all its contractors.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

From what you have said, depending on your circumstances, after 1st October the client may be obliged to offer on site parking to contractors under the terms of the Agency Worker Regulations

[d000hg]

Do they check their own car-park... can you just park there anyway? Maybe you could consider car-sharing with a permie?

[northernladuk]

At least it is great for your IR35 status!!

[JamJarST]

At least it is great for your IR35 status!!

Unless HMRC argue that the shuttle bus is an employee benefit and if you use it you are inside IR35

[malvolio]

Sorry, does not compute. Your rate is for your working time (or your deliverables, ideally), not your time spent getting there and back again; that's your problem. By all means ask for a rate rise, or an hours reduction, but don't be at all surprised if all you get is a hollow laugh. Your travel arrangements aren't their concern.

If you're using a umbrella then the AWR may come to your rescue, but I wouldn't rely on that happening either. Press the point and you may find you don't need to park there at all.

Oh the joys of being a freelance contractor, eh...?

[Spacecadet]

Unless HMRC argue that the shuttle bus is an employee benefit and if you use it you are inside IR35

In which case, get a taxi and add that to the day rate as well!

[d000hg]

It seems highly petty that they won't let you park there. I bet their other business suppliers (cleaners, vending machine repairs, etc) aren't blocked the same way.

Is it crazy to demand parking privilege at renewal time?