Hi

I have been working for a company for over 10 years with a fully experienced company car. The cars have always been owned by the company and in my contract it says that I am responsible for the car. Now they have decided to lease the cars and have told me I need to sign a contract with the lease company. I don't see why I should do this as I feel that its my employers responsibility to supply me a car? ( My contract covers the fact I need to look after it and pay fines ect) I will also loose some of the benefits such as being able to toke my car out the country on holiday. Can they do this or can I refuse to sign a contract with some company I don't want to?

Thanks in advance

Rin

So in effect they have changed your T&Conditions? Did they give you notice this was going to happen and did they negotiate these changes with you? I would not sign a contract with a lease company the car you use is supplied by the company so i personaly think its down to them to lease it and any clause such as looking after it or paying fines should be issued in writing to you by the company.

Hi

There was no notice or negotiations regarding this. Just called to get new car and everyone just accepted that they get a new car for signing a piece of paper.

Are you sure you're signing a lease? I would have thought the company would sign the lease for each vehicle and you would be signing to take responsibility for the vehicle while in your possession

We have leased cars and they can be taken out of the country - you just need to inform the lease company and they send you a European driver's pack.

Ditto. Same here. A company car, where the driver is permitted to use it for personal AND business travel should be to all intents and purposes your own private vehicle for the period of the lease - including use for holidays abroad subject to certain conditions.

My car is leased but everything related to it is tied in with my contract of employment so I don't have a separate agreement with the lease company, however if that is what the company dictates then that is the way it probably has to be. No agreement = no company car - you can't dictate what arrangement the company uses to source fleet vehicles.

Look at the contract, challenge any clauses which appear to reduce the existing benefit, but as for refusing to sign? Probably not a good idea!

Thank you for the advice. I need get a contract to read and try avoid pressure to sign it till I understand whats in it.

Be cautious that you are not signing for the lease, with the company paying the bill each month. If you leave the company it's going to fall to you to pick up the payments for the remainder of the term.

Does your contract of employment state the company will provide you with a vehicle to perform your duties ?