Company Car being taken off the person who uses it.

[dmh9282]

My girlfriend is going on maternity leave and the end of December. She is a manager in a Child Day Nursery and drops children to and from school. She was informed 2 weeks ago that she will not have the use of the car while she is off on maternity. Can the employer do this.

She doesn't get taxed on the car and she gets a petrol allowance of �30 every week.

Any help on this would be great

Thanks

[redcrx]

If shes not taxed on it then its not part of her salary. Therefore i cant see how she can expoct to have use of it whilst on maternity leave.

[McNoodle]

She's also been given plenty of notice to make other arrangements... and will probably lose her �30 allowance for the period she's off.

[dmh9282]

Thanks for you help

[Dassie]

If she uses the car to and from work as well as during "business" hours then actually it's a taxable perk and this should be declared. Does her work contract say she is entitled to the use of a company car? If so you have a case.

[BenDToy]

Of course they can. Unless the car is a pure perk, and tax has virtually made that worthless, most contracts of employment covering company cars include a paragraph which allows the employer the right to withdraw the car if it is not required for company business. Also it is pretty clear to me that she should be paying tax on this car, since it is obviously available for private use. Otherwise why would she care if she doesn't have it when on maternity leave. Looks like she could lose out on both counts here.