Work Benefit/Entitlement - OUTRAGED!

Redders825 · 13-01-2009 10:55am #1

Hi all,

Basically i have a query some of you might be able to help me with. I am working in Dublin for a prominent financial company and i have been working here for 8months now. I have fulfilled my probation period and am now full-time. Before i left my previous job i was emailed the details of my offer to me which included basic salary, pension, holiday entitlements etc. It also said that Gym/Sports Club reimbursement up to 317euro.

I know people that have been working here longer and they have received this reimbursement. So last week i emailed HR enquiring on how to go about getting this money back and they informed me that i need to forward them receipt of gym. I got in touch with my gym and they provided me with a receipt for the 600euro i had paid for 12 months membership. I forwarded this to HR and they informed it would be processed in Jan salary. Happy days i thought.

Now this morning they emailed me informing me that that i am no longer entitled to this. I forwarded them the original email and stated that it clearly showed Gym/Sports Club reimbursement of 317euro. When i rang them i told them i have paid for this gym upfront on the back of the fact i was going to get this money and now im 300 out of pocket! they said sorry, your are no longer entitled to it and basically tough!

What can i do? surely they cant get away with that? If it was on paper then surely they must honour it. i can change my hours so why can they change their benfits!?

Thanks in advance.

Thanks

murphym7 · 13-01-2009 11:11am

If its not outlined in your contract of employement you are fecked. An email won't do and its not a signed agreement.

Serafijn · 13-01-2009 3:25pm

As above. Check your contract - if it's in there you're entitled to it, unless they have issued a contract ammendment. If not then unfortunately you've nothing to throw at them

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 13-01-2009 3:46pm

What i'd do for a job with no benifits right now... Basic pay and a roof would be more than enough.

You're lucky you have a job. Just keep at it.

x in the city · 13-01-2009 4:45pm

300e out of pocket, wow our hearts bleed for you.....!

kiwikid · 13-01-2009 4:59pm

ah lads its rough all the same but **** can happen and my dear it has happened to you to the tune of 3ooe.
Just as an asside you did your probation but until you are a year i the job you technically are not permanent or protected by any decent employment law. was the offer email including your contract? if its in your contract then yes keep pestering them but remember they can give you a weeks notice legally (i can stand corrected on that but) and its dole q for u.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 13-01-2009 8:28pm

kiwikid wrote: »

ah lads its rough all the same but **** can happen and my dear it has happened to you to the tune of 3ooe.
Just as an asside you did your probation but until you are a year i the job you technically are not permanent or protected by any decent employment law. was the offer email including your contract? if its in your contract then yes keep pestering them but remember they can give you a weeks notice legally (i can stand corrected on that but) and its dole q for u.

They would have to give a good explanation. Regardless of how long you are employed you can still build a case for wrongful dismissal. If my memory serves me right.

wmpdd3 · 13-01-2009 8:58pm

You know you are liable for 40% tax (your applicable rate) of that €300 under benefits in kind tax.

Xiney · 13-01-2009 9:38pm

Boone Thoughtless Windstorm wrote: »

What i'd do for a job with no benifits right now... Basic pay and a roof would be more than enough.

You're lucky you have a job. Just keep at it.

While I understand your frustration Boone Thoughtless Windstorm, posting stuff like the above is no more helpful to the OP than those who tell us that we're simply not looking hard enough or don't have the gumption to go out with a ladder and wash windows so it's our fault we're unemployed.

Eoin · 14-01-2009 9:05am

Xiney wrote: »

While I understand your frustration Iamxavier, posting stuff like the above is no more helpful to the OP than those who tell us that we're simply not looking hard enough or don't have the gumption to go out with a ladder and wash windows so it's our fault we're unemployed.

No, but I think in the current climate some people need to get some perspective on why they should be "outraged" because of a work problem.

Xiney · 14-01-2009 9:55am

Well, for what it's worth, I'd also be pretty peeved if I thought I was going to get 300 euro back from work as outlined in what I assumed was my contract and then they decided to reneg on the deal. I wouldn't be telling HR I was outraged, and I'd probably keep my head down at work, but I might vent my frustration using such words on boards.

Mr. Incognito · 14-01-2009 10:18am

Just look at your contract terms.

It's only 300 ffs AND you're getting value for money in a gym.

You need some perspective mate.

kiwikid · 14-01-2009 10:35am

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

Just look at your contract terms.

It's only 300 ffs AND you're getting value for money in a gym.

You need some perspective mate.

Agree on perspective but in all fairness i would not say only 300. then again i am too mean to join a gym. :cool:

Motley Crue · 14-01-2009 12:20pm

Its a lot of money to pay for a Gym, and I think the OP is just upset he won't get this money back, he doesn't need to be told that he is lucky to be even in a job.

Unfortunely the company have every legal right to change their mind unless its stated in your contract that you actually have the right to claim this money back. Emails will not hold up in court.

Personally, I would be as upset as you, but at the end of the day Im afraid it might just be a reluctant acceptance that you cant do anything about it.

Dearg81 · 14-01-2009 1:40pm

If its not outlined in your contract of employement you are fecked. An email won't do and its not a signed agreement.

Yea, u have to find your contract and make sure its in there.

It's only 300 ffs AND you're getting value for money in a gym.

You need some perspective mate.

You need to relax. He's intitled to be annoyed and follow up on it. Just beacuse he's lucky enough to have a job doesnt mean he has to accept this especially if its in his contract. You just sound bitter.

Redders825 · 15-01-2009 1:27am

Guys, fair enough, i understand where ye are coming from with respect to 'your lucky to have a job' but it was pretty annoying, when they offered me the position with these incentives and then reneg on the deal. 300euro is alot of money and if i were to lose my job i would rather have it than them!

i didnt complain, i just accepted it and i am as Xiney said kept my head down and worked away! just maybe wanted to vent some anger!

Thanks for the replies.

Xiney · 15-01-2009 7:34pm

Maglight wrote: »

Actually I think Iamxavier has a point. The OP is correct, morally he/she is entitled to the subvention for the gym, but given the state of the market and the difficulties just about every company is going through, it's not unreasonable for them to cut every non essential cost. Most companies have frozen pay increases, cut bonuses and many have cut pay.

Now isn't the time to be standing on a point of principle. You may win the battle OP, but in the long run, you'll lose the war

It's clear he has a point.

He should have just articulated it in a more helpful fashion, imo.

Work Benefit/Entitlement - OUTRAGED!

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