Payments for delayed trains - honesty and tax!

Who should keep the money - and is it taxable?

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Here's one for a Friday afternoon. My train to London was delayed this morning for long enough that Virgin will pay 50% of the ticket cost under their "Delay Repay" scheme. My employer paid for the ticket and I was travelling on business  - so in my view, they should get the 50% paid by Virgin. (I'm carefully not using the word "compensation"!) That simply reduces my employer's travel costs for tax purposes.

However, I encountered different views amongst my fellow passengers, many of whom were going to claim in a personal capacity and keep the money. (I think that, in that case, if it's viewed as compensation for inconvenince, it's not taxable on the individual.

What would you do? (If you'd keep the money - it's too late; I've sent my ticket to our travel booker to make the reclaim on my employer's behalf). Am I too honest (or any other word you are to use that the moderators wont' obliterate!) PNL - I'm braced! 

 

Any reposnses in the next few hours will keep me amused on the (hopefully not delayed) train home!

 

Replies (12)

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By Ruddles
15th Sep 2017 16:13

If you missed a business meeting because of the delay then I'd say that your employer is entitled to the refund.

If the delay meant that you couldn't get to the pub in time for lunchtime steak pie and a pint, I'd keep it.

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Replying to Ruddles:
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By MJShone
15th Sep 2017 17:06

I didn't miss anything. In time for my first meeting.

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By possep
15th Sep 2017 16:18

How much was it, presumably in the scheme of things not much. As you were delayed not the employer I expect you would prefer to keep it although if pushed I anticipate it's the employers legally.

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Replying to possep:
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By MJShone
15th Sep 2017 17:07

About £35. Wouldn't everyone prefer to keep it?????

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Replying to possep:
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By MJShone
15th Sep 2017 17:07

About £35. Wouldn't everyone prefer to keep it?????

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By Matrix
15th Sep 2017 16:43

Were you being paid during the delay?

I would keep the money as it was your inconvenience and that line has been a nightmare this week.

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Replying to Matrix:
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By MJShone
15th Sep 2017 17:09

The train was due to arrive at 09:40. It arrived at 10:37. Technically my hours are 9-5, so I was being paid during the delay. I frequently work before 9 and after 5, but I'm not paid. It's part of the job.

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By andy.partridge
15th Sep 2017 17:11

Employer made the payment, employer gets the refund.

Was it your time or your employer's that was wasted (not a pub reference, despite Friday pm)?

If the former, your employer might want to allow you an overtime claim (yeah, right), if the latter you don't appear to have lost anything except your pride (not a beer reference, despite Friday pm) in not working as efficiently and effectively as normal.

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Replying to andy.partridge:
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By MJShone
15th Sep 2017 17:15

Overtime? I haven't been entitled to overtime since 1991!

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Replying to MJShone:
RLI
By lionofludesch
16th Sep 2017 09:27

Do your employers kindly waive charges to their clients for any work you do for which they don't pay you?

No pay, no work.

You need a Trade Union. Unpaid work, going to Lahndon, you're being taken for a Muggins!!

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By Marion Hayes
16th Sep 2017 11:04

@lion - have things changed then?
as I remember it as soon as you became "management" any overtime went straight out of the window as part of the duties of the role

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Replying to Marion Hayes:
RLI
By lionofludesch
16th Sep 2017 14:54

How would I know ?

I haven't had a job since 1991.

Although, funnily enough, I've just taken on a part-time role for three months to plug a hole for someone I know.

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