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I have this scenario where due to a recent contract with a bank, I am forced to go out to locations to do work however the work is dependent on verizon finishing circuitry installation.
Now there are multiple occurances where verizon will state the work is finished however nothing has been done. My company asks me to go to the site to do the work and verify if the work has been done if there are any issues.
The problem with this is the expected payout for a successful completion of one work site is 50 dollars however if no work can be done due to verizon's failures, you are only paid 15.
If my tolls cost 20 dollars alone from commuting, and I know the work has not been finished due to the failure of verizon, can my company fire me for refusing to comply with duties in regards to visiting a site? Basically I feel that I am forced to take a financial loss on a trip due to contractual terms with the bank and my company.
I'd think your company should reimburse you for the tolls (and even mileage if you are driving your own vehicle). But from a legality standpoint, they're simply giving you a job. The fact that your expenses exceed the pay in doing that job becomes a financial decision on your part on whether or not you want to continue to do this.
I don't see how they are legally obligated to ensure your expenses are not higher than your pay. And expenses like that are usually tax deductible - its not the same as having it reimbursed... but better than nothing.
Also - is that ratio between tolls and site visits static? In other words, is it possible to have $20 in tolls but you visiting 3 sites? Which would still net you $25 in a worse case scenario... not saying this makes it a non issue.. but just looking at all angles.
Yes. Whatever both parties agree to is legal so long as pay is above minimum wage. I suggest you ask for some kind of revised compensation agreement to account for this.
I'd think your company should reimburse you for the tolls (and even mileage if you are driving your own vehicle). But from a legality standpoint, they're simply giving you a job. The fact that your expenses exceed the pay in doing that job becomes a financial decision on your part on whether or not you want to continue to do this.
I don't see how they are legally obligated to ensure your expenses are not higher than your pay. And expenses like that are usually tax deductible - its not the same as having it reimbursed... but better than nothing.
Also - is that ratio between tolls and site visits static? In other words, is it possible to have $20 in tolls but you visiting 3 sites? Which would still net you $25 in a worse case scenario... not saying this makes it a non issue.. but just looking at all angles.
Yes it is better when 3-4 sites are visited on one trip however this isn't always the case. This is a side project my company is doing and i've been sent multiple times the past month to take care of these little projects with no avail.
I have this scenario where due to a recent contract with a bank, I am forced to go out to locations to do work however the work is dependent on verizon finishing circuitry installation.
Now there are multiple occurances where verizon will state the work is finished however nothing has been done. My company asks me to go to the site to do the work and verify if the work has been done if there are any issues.
The problem with this is the expected payout for a successful completion of one work site is 50 dollars however if no work can be done due to verizon's failures, you are only paid 15.
If my tolls cost 20 dollars alone from commuting, and I know the work has not been finished due to the failure of verizon, can my company fire me for refusing to comply with duties in regards to visiting a site? Basically I feel that I am forced to take a financial loss on a trip due to contractual terms with the bank and my company.
I suspect if you refuse to do your job for whatever reason, yes you will be fired, as Donald Trump would say. Now...let me give you a little advice. I work for these bastards and I know how it works. They can't be trusted as you have learned the hard way. It is for a number of reasons such as the lazy install tech lying to his supv that the work is done, the customer assuming it is because they (Verizon) said it would be on that date, etc etc.
I am not sure how large an area you cover as you dont say, but you need to get a contact name and number of the Special Circuits Supervisor (T1, Frame Relay, DSL, Fios) or the I&R Supervisor (regular dialtone) at the Verizon branch and call him/her BEFORE you go out. Thell him/her I have a service order to install X at such and such a customer and I was told the desired due date is X and I was just checking to make sure it was done. Then, after you are insured it was, ask for the order confirmation number or service order number that installed the service. Politely tell the supervisor that if you go to do your work and the job is in fact NOT complete, you will have to bill them (Verizon) your trip charge and labor for the site visit.
Then, bill them $100 trip and whatever you like per hour for your wasted time. I suggest $100-200 hr for your labor. One of two things will happen/ You get rich or they start meeting your desired due dates.
I have this scenario where due to a recent contract with a bank, I am forced to go out to locations to do work however the work is dependent on verizon finishing circuitry installation.
Now there are multiple occurances where verizon will state the work is finished however nothing has been done. My company asks me to go to the site to do the work and verify if the work has been done if there are any issues.
The problem with this is the expected payout for a successful completion of one work site is 50 dollars however if no work can be done due to verizon's failures, you are only paid 15.
If my tolls cost 20 dollars alone from commuting, and I know the work has not been finished due to the failure of verizon, can my company fire me for refusing to comply with duties in regards to visiting a site? Basically I feel that I am forced to take a financial loss on a trip due to contractual terms with the bank and my company.
Sounds like you're an independent contractor working piece work and the company is 1099ing you.
If this is the case then there is nothing you can do other than to try and renegotiate your contract with them.
I can not answer the question of whether you can do anything about the company policy. But you may be able to minimize your losses.
You have not said if you are an employee (w2) or an independent contractor
(1099).
However, each way you can keep records of your "unreimbursed" expenses for a year end tax deduction. This works much better for Independent Contractors, as you can deduct directly on your Scd C. If you are an employee you will have to itemize your deductions (if possible) to claim on your taxes.
But either way, you should be keeping records of these trips and any other unreimbursed expenses (tools, education, uniforms, etc.). It may help you at year end.
When "Verizon" tried(unsuccessfully) to repair my land line, sometimes they would report "repair complete", I would come home just to see "Line is in use"(short) on my screen. If they would have just tried to call the number they just "repaired", they would hear it is not in service. 6(!) times. Go figure. But I've heard everything in the book(it is inside the house, it is your equipment, it is your internet, it is your wires, it is the best we can do...) But they called my cell with pre-recordered messages "Technician scheduled...", "Technician dispatched...", "Repair completed..." instead of actually fixing the problem.
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