Employer dictating where I can park

LegacyUser

I work in a retail store on a main street in a medium sized town. Parking on the street is free, there are no restrictions. I typically park in whatever spot is available close to my place of work at the start of each day.

Recently my employer has started to ask me to move my car if it is parked close to the business premises.

I'm not too keen on this as although I'm more than happy to follow instructions my employer has for me pertaining to work, I feel that where I park is completely separate to my job. I pay my taxes and am as entitled as any other person to park wherever I see fit as long as I'm within the confines of the law.

I understand why my employer wants me to park elsewhere - it makes it easier for customers to find parking near the store and purchase from us. There was an initiative set out by the local chamber of commerce within the town promoting this policy among the business leaders of the town and recommending that staff of businesses park in the local car park. I don't like parking there as I feel it is very unsafe.

I have moved my car on a number of occasions in the past week at the request of my employer but I'm not happy to do this anymore and want some advice on how to handle the situation. Is this something that my employer can require me to do? (no mention of it in contract)


Thanks for your advice.

Wanderer2010

Its not something that they can legally force you to do but you could be on the unofficial black list if you insist on being awkward about this issue. Try and see it from their point of view- they want more customers and more profit. Even one extra car space could make the difference between a customer coming in and dropping some cash or driving on because they couldn't be bothered looking for parking.

I would box clever on this one and think long term, do you really want to be seen as a "difficult" employee who insists on getting their own way when the needs of the company could be better served if you just parked a bit away and walked the rest. I know you shouldn't have to but it would be much more advisable to be seen as obliging and polite on this issue and just grit your teeth and say "Oh no problem, ill park further away, that way more customers can come in" rather than being stubborn about an issue that might make you look unreasonable. Its the reality of work sometimes. Good luck!

GalwayGrrrrrl

If your employer doesn’t get enough customers they won’t be able to employer assistants (ie- YOU!) it’s in your interest to get as many customers as possible into the premises so if you can do this small thing to help your employer you should do it. If you feel unsafe in the car park could your colleague or employer walk you to your car after work?

Dillosk412

Basically you are preventing the customers of the business you are working for from accessing that parking space.



A shopping parking space is on average 14 times a day. By leaving your car there, you are pushing those customers away. They are the people responsible for your wages being paid, but you don't seem to want to know.


I also note your "I pay my taxes" attitude. That stinks. As you are a retail worker the chances are you are paid less than 25k. At that level you will pay about €1500 in tax. Your employer will pay about the same in employer prsi. They will also be paying huge commercial rates which is what pays for local roads and parking.

So it not your "taxes". It's your employers rates that pay for town parking, so maybe find another job.

Peter Denham

Try to come to an agreement with your employer that they cover any costs that may arise from you parking in the other car park.

Employers love pushing the limits of what they can get for nothing from employees, if they want you to move they need offer you reassurance.

Nekarsulm

Your employee probably had to pay a "contribution" to the Council for parking spaces "taken up" by employees.
Typically this happens at the planning permission stage as the Council think that by employing people with cars, the owner is hindering shoppers from using the town

So your employer probably thinks let them park away from the shop, I've paid for 6 spaces, by God I'm going to get my moneys worth in customets.

OMM 0000

I think you should do what your employer has asked you to do.

Making a big deal about this will just make you appear unreasonable and will damage your career.

Simple_Simone

Carparkeranon wrote: »

. local Chamber of Commerce recommending that staff of businesses park in the local car park. I don't like parking there as I feel it is very unsafe.

Have you informed your employer or the local C of C of your feelings? Do other employees share your concerns?

Remember - if you don't raise them, then how will others know that there's a problem.

enricoh

Car park is unsafe for you In the dark or for your car? Id ask boss to push council for more lighting etc. Buy a steering wheel lock.

Doesn't look good disobeying boss n if business slows down you n the car could be first to go.

wonski

1 parking spot blocked for a day in front of the premises, or close to it, might cause a drop in daily customer count.

Not a given, but since your job depends on that I would just park further away.

There is no legal obligation on you to do so, though.

easygoing1982

Dillosk412 wrote: »

I also note your "I pay my taxes" attitude. That stinks.

So it not your "taxes". It's your employers rates that pay for town parking, so maybe find another job.

I think you'll find it's the motor tax that I believe the OP may have been referring to that pays towards the town parking also.

mikemac2

You don't feel safe in the car park so that's not good

Raise it with your employer and they can raise it with the council. Them being ratepayers n'all

Extra lighting wouldn't be a huge job for the council though it will take a bit of time

Dillosk412

easygoing1982 wrote: »

I think you'll find it's the motor tax that I believe the OP may have been referring to that pays towards the town parking also.

It doesn't. That goes into central taxation. Commercial rates pay for town expenses.

A well located store of 300sqm in a small town would have rates of about €10,000-€15,000 per year.

AndrewJRenko

easygoing1982 wrote: »

Dillosk412 wrote: »

I also note your "I pay my taxes" attitude. That stinks.

So it not your "taxes". It's your employers rates that pay for town parking, so maybe find another job.

I think you'll find it's the motor tax that I believe the OP may have been referring to that pays towards the town parking also.

If that's the case, the OP is way off target.

noodler

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

Its not something that they can legally force you to do but you could be on the unofficial black list if you insist on being awkward about this issue. Try and see it from their point of view- they want more customers and more profit. Even one extra car space could make the difference between a customer coming in and dropping some cash or driving on because they couldn't be bothered looking for parking.

I would box clever on this one and think long term, do you really want to be seen as a "difficult" employee who insists on getting their own way when the needs of the company could be better served if you just parked a bit away and walked the rest. I know you shouldn't have to but it would be much more advisable to be seen as obliging and polite on this issue and just grit your teeth and say "Oh no problem, ill park further away, that way more customers can come in" rather than being stubborn about an issue that might make you look unreasonable. Its the reality of work sometimes. Good luck!

I'd be wary of the above OP.

You have been accommodating rather than "difficult".

SteM

OP, towns all over Ireland are emptying. Councils have brought in expensive car parking in towns that has pushed people to start shopping in out of town centres. You should be happy that your town council is being progressive and helping to safeguard your job.

the_syco

Carparkeranon wrote: »

Recently my employer has started to ask me to move my car if it is parked close to the business premises.

Carparkeranon wrote: »

There was an initiative set out by the local chamber of commerce within the town promoting this policy among the business leaders of the town and recommending that staff of businesses park in the local car park. I don't like parking there as I feel it is very unsafe.

Why do you feel that the local car park is unsafe, and where do other workers park? I'd say that if all workers parked their cars like yourself, all businesses would experience a drop in business.

Stanford

Dillosk412 wrote: »

Basically you are preventing the customers of the business you are working for from accessing that parking space.



A shopping parking space is on average 14 times a day. By leaving your car there, you are pushing those customers away. They are the people responsible for your wages being paid, but you don't seem to want to know.


I also note your "I pay my taxes" attitude. That stinks. As you are a retail worker the chances are you are paid less than 25k. At that level you will pay about €1500 in tax. Your employer will pay about the same in employer prsi. They will also be paying huge commercial rates which is what pays for local roads and parking.

So it not your "taxes". It's your employers rates that pay for town parking, so maybe find another job.

Are you suggesting that OP should pay more tax than he is legally obliged to?

salmocab

Is your employer and workers from other shops parking elsewhere? If they in the main are then you probably should although no harm raising issues with employer regards your safety concerns.

Leinsterfan18

Legally, I think you can park where you want.

For an easier life, park elsewhere.

Stanford

salmocab wrote: »

Is your employer and workers from other shops parking elsewhere? If they in the main are then you probably should although no harm raising issues with employer regards your safety concerns.

Good suggestion, if there is a general unwritten policy amongst other workers parking elsewhere you should follow that even though you are not obliged to do so, consider it as "keeping the peace" so to speak

Seanieke

Park outside the competition! Job done.

wonski

There was a guy in one of the places I worked for that calculated it would cost him 200 euro in petrol a year to park behind the building rather than in front of it.
He was not reimbursed for his expenses. That building was not that big, it was big deal for him, though.

While the op is allowed to park where he wants it is worth reminding the others that if it is a company premises, not a public road, they can tell you to f*** off, unless parking spot is in the contract

Ask any Kildare Village and other places like that where their employees park. Usually far away from the entrance.

micks

Dillosk412 wrote: »

Basically you are preventing the customers of the business you are working for from accessing that parking space.



A shopping parking space is on average 14 times a day. By leaving your car there, you are pushing those customers away. They are the people responsible for your wages being paid, but you don't seem to want to know.


I also note your "I pay my taxes" attitude. That stinks. As you are a retail worker the chances are you are paid less than 25k. At that level you will pay about €1500 in tax. Your employer will pay about the same in employer prsi. They will also be paying huge commercial rates which is what pays for local roads and parking.

So it not your "taxes". It's your employers rates that pay for town parking, so maybe find another job.

Dillosk412 wrote: »

It doesn't. That goes into central taxation. Commercial rates pay for town expenses.

A well located store of 300sqm in a small town would have rates of about €10,000-€15,000 per year.

But that is not what OP said is it?

I pay my taxes and am as entitled as any other person to park wherever I see fit as long as I'm within the confines of the law.

They just said they're entitled to park - nothing else

wonski

micks wrote: »

But that is not what OP said is it?



They just said they're entitled to park - nothing else

To be fair the op has said he/she paid the taxes and is entitled to this or that... And they are, but

While it's true, the retail is a bitch and you really want the shop you own or work at to do well. Getting as many people in as it is possible is one of the reasons the employee is asked to not to block parking spot nearby for hours.

micks

Carparkeranon wrote: »

I work in a retail store on a main street in a medium sized town. Parking on the street is free, there are no restrictions. I typically park in whatever spot is available close to my place of work at the start of each day.

Recently my employer has started to ask me to move my car if it is parked close to the business premises.

I'm not too keen on this as although I'm more than happy to follow instructions my employer has for me pertaining to work, I feel that where I park is completely separate to my job. I pay my taxes and am as entitled as any other person to park wherever I see fit as long as I'm within the confines of the law.

I understand why my employer wants me to park elsewhere - it makes it easier for customers to find parking near the store and purchase from us. There was an initiative set out by the local chamber of commerce within the town promoting this policy among the business leaders of the town and recommending that staff of businesses park in the local car park. I don't like parking there as I feel it is very unsafe.

I have moved my car on a number of occasions in the past week at the request of my employer but I'm not happy to do this anymore and want some advice on how to handle the situation. Is this something that my employer can require me to do? (no mention of it in contract)


Thanks for your advice.

It obviously bothers you so if as suggested:

Stanford wrote: »

Good suggestion, if there is a general unwritten policy amongst other workers parking elsewhere you should follow that even though you are not obliged to do so, consider it as "keeping the peace" so to speak

salmocab wrote: »

Is your employer and workers from other shops parking elsewhere? If they in the main are then you probably should although no harm raising issues with employer regards your safety concerns.

Then maybe move on - there's no shortage of work

Do you like the job? are there other things that bother you?
Its a trivial enough matter to come onto boards about? is it the straw.....

Wanderer2010

noodler wrote: »

I'd be wary of the above OP.

You have been accommodating rather than "difficult".

They would possibly be seen as difficult if they refuse to move their car in future when this issue comes up again, which is what the OP was asking for advise on i.e the long term solution to being asked to move the car.

doolox

If you are parking in a public space with no price restrictions or privileges for employee parking how on earth does the employer know you are parking where you are parking???

I realise that off street private parking can imply that an employer may ask you to register your car registration with the relevant security working on a private site but I did not know if such obligations exist on a public street.

Challenge you boss the next time the subject is raised.

How do you know it is my car?

Deny it is your car.

The boss cannot get registration details from the guards or any other local authority by GDPR.

Claim that your brother/aunt/ uncle etc may have driven in and parked in a public space as is their right.

For heaven sake be careful to drive off at end of work without any nosy parker spotting you and reporting you to the boss........

wonski

doolox wrote: »

If you are parking in a public space with no price restrictions or privileges for employee parking how on earth does the employer know you are parking where you are parking???

I realise that off street private parking can imply that an employer may ask you to register your car registration with the relevant security working on a private site but I did not know if such obligations exist on a public street.

Challenge you boss the next time the subject is raised.

How do you know it is my car?

Deny it is your car.

The boss cannot get registration details from the guards or any other local authority by GDPR.

Claim that your brother/aunt/ uncle etc may have driven in and parked in a public space as is their right.

For heaven sake be careful to drive off at end of work without any nosy parker spotting you and reporting you to the boss........

Are you for real???

I mean your post???

No responsible employee parks outside the shop they work in. They leave these spaces for customers. After all, without customers, they’re out of a job.

the_syco

doolox wrote: »

Challenge you boss the next time the subject is raised.

How do you know it is my car?

I'm guessing the OP took the piss one day, and parked so close to the shop, that their employer called them up on it.

joebloggs32

doolox wrote: »

If you are parking in a public space with no price restrictions or privileges for employee parking how on earth does the employer know you are parking where you are parking???

I realise that off street private parking can imply that an employer may ask you to register your car registration with the relevant security working on a private site but I did not know if such obligations exist on a public street.

Challenge you boss the next time the subject is raised.

How do you know it is my car?

Deny it is your car.

The boss cannot get registration details from the guards or any other local authority by GDPR.

Claim that your brother/aunt/ uncle etc may have driven in and parked in a public space as is their right.

For heaven sake be careful to drive off at end of work without any nosy parker spotting you and reporting you to the boss........

It's not rocket science to know what car the OP is driving. This obviously is a small town as the on street parking is free. In small towns we generally know what car everyone else drives so if it is being left in the same spot each day the employer would cop that easily without having to go all Sherlock Holmes to figure it out.
I have observed this problem in my own town. Plenty of free spaces in public car parks but some employees hog the free spaces outside businesses.

doolox

Nobody has answered my question. How does the boss know that the employee own his car???? You do not give out the information to any boss unless you are parking on private land or in a carpark owned by the boss.

If the parking is public then it is none of the bosses business who parks where or who owns what car parked in a public space although there are many who would like to imagine they own all the spaces near their shop or in close proximity to their shop.

The wise thing is not to let your boss know you own a particular car. It is none of his business what car you own but I do realise that it easy to find out in a small town. Any questions relating to divulging information regarding car ownership or how you get to work should be met with stony silence, none of their business.

What you really need to do is swap cars with a family member or partner on a random basis and park right outside the shop and see what happens. Dont be seen entering or leaving the car......

doolox

doolox wrote: »

Nobody has answered my question. How does the boss know that the employee own his car???? You do not give out the information to any boss unless you are parking on private land or in a carpark owned by the boss.

If the parking is public then it is none of the bosses business who parks where or who owns what car parked in a public space although there are many who would like to imagine they own all the spaces near their shop or in close proximity to their shop.

The wise thing is not to let your boss know you own a particular car. It is none of his business what car you own but I do realise that it easy to find out in a small town. Any questions relating to divulging information regarding car ownership or how you get to work should be met with stony silence, none of their business.

What you really need to do is swap cars with a family member or partner on a random basis and park right outside the shop and see what happens. Dont be seen entering or leaving the car......

In a small town, everyone knows who drives what. Shop staff usually have enough cop on not to hog parking spaces outside businesses.

doolox

...and drive all his stock into town on different days and confuse the hell out of the boss....

Different day different car.

Thats not my car.

Dillosk412

wonski wrote: »

There was a guy in one of the places I worked for that calculated it would cost him 200 euro in petrol a year to park behind the building rather than in front of it.
He was not reimbursed for his expenses. That building was not that big, it was big deal for him, though..

Must have been a hummer! 😂

Let's say it was a huge building and it was an extra 300 metres.

That's 1,5km in a week.

Assume 6 weeks holiday / bank holiday combined, gives 46 weeks or a total of 69km
Even a very bad fuel economy car will take about 5litres for 69km.
At today's petrol prices that is about €7

I hope he didn't work as an accountant 😂

wonski

doolox wrote: »

...and drive all his stock into town on different days and confuse the hell out of the boss....

Different day different car.

Thats not my car.

Are you one of those that is not my job/car vigilante

Sure, that is not my hand, Gardai

doolox

I know of no other building or campus that is 1 Km on a side.

NSAman

doolox wrote: »

I know of no other building or campus that is 1 Km on a side.

Maybe has was talking about the Berj Khalifa, driving his V12 Mercedes up and down the building... then he woke up.

Dirtdrifter

SteM wrote: »

OP, towns all over Ireland are emptying. Councils have brought in expensive car parking in towns that has pushed people to start shopping in out of town centres. You should be happy that your town council is being progressive and helping to safeguard your job.

Some main streets with free parking are clogged all day with teachers/students and employees and the like

The only way to free up space for business is to have a paid system of some sort

NSAman

Dirtdrifter wrote: »

Some main streets with free parking are clogged all day with teachers/students and employees and the like

The only way to free up space for business is to have a paid system of some sort

Then the town dies.

People do not want to pay for parking and only use those spaces for times when they actually HAVE to park in town.

They flee the town and go to the free spaces in Lidl, Dunnes or Tesco...If you don’t agree with this I can cite many examples.

The OP sounds like a real pain in the arse, if I have to be honest. Its all about her and no one else.

AndrewJRenko

NSAman wrote: »

Then the town dies.

People do not want to pay for parking and only use those spaces for times when they actually HAVE to park in town.

They flee the town and go to the free spaces in Lidl, Dunnes or Tesco...If you don’t agree with this I can cite many examples.

There's no such thing as 'free parking'. There are costs involved in providing and managing parking, whether on street or in a car park. If there is no charge for parking, then this cost is spread across everybody, including those that don't use the parking facility.


It should really be a planning condition for the out-of-town centres that they are required to charge for parking on a cost recovery basis at least.

Dirtdrifter

NSAman wrote: »

Then the town dies.

People do not want to pay for parking and only use those spaces for times when they actually HAVE to park in town.

They flee the town and go to the free spaces in Lidl, Dunnes or Tesco...If you don’t agree with this I can cite many examples.

The OP sounds like a real pain in the arse, if I have to be honest. Its all about her and no one else.

Not necessarily


It depends how it's implemented,for example they could have the first 15 minutes free

Free spaces blocked all day are no use to any business

NSAman

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

There's no such thing as 'free parking'. There are costs involved in providing and managing parking, whether on street or in a car park. If there is no charge for parking, then this cost is spread across everybody, including those that don't use the parking facility.


It should really be a planning condition for the out-of-town centres that they are required to charge for parking on a cost recovery basis at least.

But they don’t, hence the town is devoid of parking and the out of town is packed.... case in point NAAS

NSAman

Dirtdrifter wrote: »

Not necessarily


It depends how it's implemented,for example they could have the first 15 minutes free

Free spaces blocked all day are no use to any business

But alas they do not do this, as you have to employ wardens who cost money to implement the system, those causing increased costs and needing parking fees to fund same.... vicious circle.

Irlandese

Accomodating ? Are you for real ? Retail shops are facing a very bleak future with more and more of us buying on-line.
Chances are the manager has a list of staff to pick from when the time comes to down-size. If I was this car owner and alternatives were not available, I wouldn't be starting a stupid war, placing me top of that list. I would be thinking of changing to a scooter, a bike or even a pair of roller skates !!

SteM

Dirtdrifter wrote: »

Some main streets with free parking are clogged all day with teachers/students and employees and the like

The only way to free up space for business is to have a paid system of some sort

It doesn't have to be a paid system. It can be a time limit system. Anyway, my point to the OP was that he/she should be happy there is no system in place that discourages shopping in the town.

JeffKenna

Irlandese wrote: »

Accomodating ? Are you for real ? Retail shops are facing a very bleak future with more and more of us buying on-line.
Chances are the manager has a list of staff to pick from when the time comes to down-size. If I was this car owner and alternatives were not available, I wouldn't be starting a stupid war, placing me top of that list. I would be thinking of changing to a scooter, a bike or even a pair of roller skates !!

Bit narrow to assume a car parking space would put the OP on top of this "list". Would sales or performance come into it at all?

Dirtdrifter

NSAman wrote: »

But alas they do not do this, as you have to employ wardens who cost money to implement the system, those causing increased costs and needing parking fees to fund same.... vicious circle.

Sure ,but a paid parking space is still more useful to a Main Street business than no spaces

Which was my original point

Toots

OP, what is it about the staff carpark that makes you feel unsafe? Is it that you're afraid the car will be damaged, or that your personal safety is at risk.

I'd suggest talking to your boss about it and trying to come up with a solution.

OMM 0000

doolox wrote: »

Nobody has answered my question. How does the boss know that the employee own his car????

I'm assuming the boss doesn't have dementia, so the memory of that one time he saw the employee in his car probably exists in his brain somewhere.