Travel Policy

[Scoi]

Does your Ltd Co have a travel policy?

I'm getting a bit annoyed with the regular 'discussions' regarding travel class, duration, reimbursements, billing etc.

ClientCo. has just been taken over by a major company and the new travel policy is being rolled out which basically means everything has got much worse unless you are management level. 14 hour flight in economy, land at 6am, clients office at 8am.

I'm thinking of putting a travel policy in my next contract/renewal with some 'reasonable' terms so i don't get stung if i book something the client is not happy with and also spell out what i charge during travel days.

In the end i would just like the conversation to go smoothly, they tell me where they would like me to go for a project meeting, i say its estimated cost of £Xk as per my terms, they agree, i give them a bill. Rather than the current negotiating which takes days and 3 levels of management sign off.

[cojak]

Yes, I include it in my contracts.

It's rarely used but when these things are brought up it saves awkward conversations.

[Kanye]

Feel your pain. We have so many layers of approvals that the reason for travelling has passed.

I doubt having it written in your contract would bypass those in most big companies.

[Scoi]

Yes, I include it in my contracts.

It's rarely used but when these things are brought up it saves awkward conversations.

Would you mind sending me a copy of what's included in yours.

[northernladuk]

Feel your pain. We have so many layers of approvals that the reason for travelling has passed.

I doubt having it written in your contract would bypass those in most big companies.

I did a hell of a lot of travelling 2 years ago and the client was pretty good with it so haven't fallen foul of this yet. There was a bit of give and take and had to do a couple of nightmares but got recovery time after etc. I do think the above is right though. Although they were good they would certainly not have bent to anything more I would have requested. My last finance gig was the same. I did try push a better deal with travelling but got a flat no. If they do it for one they have to for all the others so better just to say no negotiation full stop.

You have to try it of course and have to be pretty firm with it but can't see large clients bending. Maybe an understanding client manager could come to a 'gentlemans' agreement possibly? WFH or something day after etc.

[cojak]

Feel your pain. We have so many layers of approvals that the reason for travelling has passed.

I doubt having it written in your contract would bypass those in most big companies.

No, it wouldn't bypass it - but it does set out what I expect to pay for and what I don't and is a good starting point for discussion and negotistion

[NickNick]

I got caught out a while back, but to be honest it was my own fault. Client paid for airfare for a series of meetings (as per my contract) but declined to cover hotel expenses whilst out of country (as i'd not included it in the contract.)

[jmo21]

I got caught out a while back, but to be honest it was my own fault. Client paid for airfare for a series of meetings (as per my contract) but declined to cover hotel expenses whilst out of country (as i'd not included it in the contract.)

I wouldn't have went.

[NickNick]

None of this came to light until I returned and submitted an exes claim.

[escapeUK]

If it were to be in my contract it would say "Contractor does not travel anywhere on your behalf." I can think of few things I wanna do less than traipse around the world for something that could be done via telephone.