If my stepdad works for a vacuum dealer, shouldn’t the dealer be responsible for the fuel costs of a company vehicle used for company work?
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If my stepdad works for a vacuum dealer, shouldn’t the dealer be responsible for the fuel costs of a company vehicle used for company work?
He manages 2 other employees and was given a company van to travel accross the state for sales. The dealer he works for made him responsable for paying for the fuel used in this vehicle while working. My stepdad is given to form of help paying for the fuel and is not reimbursed for fuel costs regardless of sales.
Asked on February 15, 2015 under Employment Labor Law, Michigan
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
Unless there is an employment contract, union agreement or exisiting company policy that mandates fuel reimbursement, your stepdad can be made to pay for his gas. This is true even though he is driving a company vehicle while on company business.
The fact is that most employment relationships are "at will". This means that an employer can set the terms and conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit. So unless some form of actionable discrimination is present, your stepdad's employer is under no duty to reimbusrse him for fuel costs. While not fair, it is legal.
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