Company claiming “place of work” legally has to be the company's registered address for contract purposes [on hold]

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The company I work for has been acquired by another company - both are very small in size, with no more than ten employees total. It's at the point where we've all been asked to sign new contracts, but I'm reluctant to sign as my "normal place of work" is listed as the company's registered address, not the office where I currently work (and this would theoretically add over two hours onto my commute each way!)

I've pushed back on this, but have been told:

• Not to worry, I can carry on working in the same place informally;


• The normal place of work can't be changed on the contract, as the normal place of work listed legally has to match the company's registered address.

My gut feeling is that this legal argument is nonsense. I'm also reluctant to sign not just because of the place of work change, but because of implications on claiming expenses for travel.

Assuming that this claim is the nonsense it seems to be, what is the best way to push back?

united-kingdom contracts legal

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edited 25 mins ago

Myles

26.2k661108

asked 8 hours ago

Anonymous

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put on hold as off-topic by gnat, paparazzo, Twyxz, bharal, Jay 4 hours ago

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – gnat, paparazzo, Twyxz, bharal, Jay

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  as the normal place of work listed legally has to match the company's registered address Not an answer in and of itself, just some common sense: the existence of two types of addresses (registered address, place of work) inherently proves that it's possible for these addresses to be different. If they always have to be exactly the same, you wouldn't need both of them - place of work would be redundant.
  – Flater
  6 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't get the hold. The question doesn't ask about company policy: it specifically says "legally". Arguably this is "law" and not "workplace", but the hold reason is not applicable.
  – Jay
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Edited to attempt to bring on topic for this SE. OP if you feel this deviates from your intention please feel free to roll back.
  – Myles
  24 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  VOTED TO REOPEN - this seems perfectly on-topic to me.
  – Joe Strazzere
  16 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
12
down vote

favorite

The company I work for has been acquired by another company - both are very small in size, with no more than ten employees total. It's at the point where we've all been asked to sign new contracts, but I'm reluctant to sign as my "normal place of work" is listed as the company's registered address, not the office where I currently work (and this would theoretically add over two hours onto my commute each way!)

I've pushed back on this, but have been told:

• Not to worry, I can carry on working in the same place informally;


• The normal place of work can't be changed on the contract, as the normal place of work listed legally has to match the company's registered address.

My gut feeling is that this legal argument is nonsense. I'm also reluctant to sign not just because of the place of work change, but because of implications on claiming expenses for travel.

Assuming that this claim is the nonsense it seems to be, what is the best way to push back?

united-kingdom contracts legal

share|improve this question

edited 25 mins ago

Myles

26.2k661108

asked 8 hours ago

Anonymous

694

New contributor

Anonymous is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

put on hold as off-topic by gnat, paparazzo, Twyxz, bharal, Jay 4 hours ago

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – gnat, paparazzo, Twyxz, bharal, Jay

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  as the normal place of work listed legally has to match the company's registered address Not an answer in and of itself, just some common sense: the existence of two types of addresses (registered address, place of work) inherently proves that it's possible for these addresses to be different. If they always have to be exactly the same, you wouldn't need both of them - place of work would be redundant.
  – Flater
  6 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't get the hold. The question doesn't ask about company policy: it specifically says "legally". Arguably this is "law" and not "workplace", but the hold reason is not applicable.
  – Jay
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Edited to attempt to bring on topic for this SE. OP if you feel this deviates from your intention please feel free to roll back.
  – Myles
  24 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  VOTED TO REOPEN - this seems perfectly on-topic to me.
  – Joe Strazzere
  16 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
12
down vote

favorite

up vote
12
down vote

favorite

The company I work for has been acquired by another company - both are very small in size, with no more than ten employees total. It's at the point where we've all been asked to sign new contracts, but I'm reluctant to sign as my "normal place of work" is listed as the company's registered address, not the office where I currently work (and this would theoretically add over two hours onto my commute each way!)

I've pushed back on this, but have been told:

• Not to worry, I can carry on working in the same place informally;


• The normal place of work can't be changed on the contract, as the normal place of work listed legally has to match the company's registered address.

My gut feeling is that this legal argument is nonsense. I'm also reluctant to sign not just because of the place of work change, but because of implications on claiming expenses for travel.

Assuming that this claim is the nonsense it seems to be, what is the best way to push back?

united-kingdom contracts legal

share|improve this question

edited 25 mins ago

Myles

26.2k661108

asked 8 hours ago

Anonymous

694

New contributor

Anonymous is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

The company I work for has been acquired by another company - both are very small in size, with no more than ten employees total. It's at the point where we've all been asked to sign new contracts, but I'm reluctant to sign as my "normal place of work" is listed as the company's registered address, not the office where I currently work (and this would theoretically add over two hours onto my commute each way!)

I've pushed back on this, but have been told:

• Not to worry, I can carry on working in the same place informally;


• The normal place of work can't be changed on the contract, as the normal place of work listed legally has to match the company's registered address.

My gut feeling is that this legal argument is nonsense. I'm also reluctant to sign not just because of the place of work change, but because of implications on claiming expenses for travel.

Assuming that this claim is the nonsense it seems to be, what is the best way to push back?

united-kingdom contracts legal

united-kingdom contracts legal

share|improve this question

edited 25 mins ago

Myles

26.2k661108

asked 8 hours ago

Anonymous

694

New contributor

Anonymous is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

edited 25 mins ago

Myles

26.2k661108

asked 8 hours ago

Anonymous

694

New contributor

Anonymous is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited 25 mins ago

Myles

26.2k661108

edited 25 mins ago

Myles

26.2k661108

edited 25 mins ago

Myles

26.2k661108

26.2k661108

asked 8 hours ago

Anonymous

694

New contributor

Anonymous is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

asked 8 hours ago

Anonymous

694

asked 8 hours ago

Anonymous

694

694

New contributor

Anonymous is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

New contributor

Anonymous is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

Anonymous is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

put on hold as off-topic by gnat, paparazzo, Twyxz, bharal, Jay 4 hours ago

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – gnat, paparazzo, Twyxz, bharal, Jay

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

put on hold as off-topic by gnat, paparazzo, Twyxz, bharal, Jay 4 hours ago

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – gnat, paparazzo, Twyxz, bharal, Jay

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  as the normal place of work listed legally has to match the company's registered address Not an answer in and of itself, just some common sense: the existence of two types of addresses (registered address, place of work) inherently proves that it's possible for these addresses to be different. If they always have to be exactly the same, you wouldn't need both of them - place of work would be redundant.
  – Flater
  6 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't get the hold. The question doesn't ask about company policy: it specifically says "legally". Arguably this is "law" and not "workplace", but the hold reason is not applicable.
  – Jay
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Edited to attempt to bring on topic for this SE. OP if you feel this deviates from your intention please feel free to roll back.
  – Myles
  24 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  VOTED TO REOPEN - this seems perfectly on-topic to me.
  – Joe Strazzere
  16 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  as the normal place of work listed legally has to match the company's registered address Not an answer in and of itself, just some common sense: the existence of two types of addresses (registered address, place of work) inherently proves that it's possible for these addresses to be different. If they always have to be exactly the same, you wouldn't need both of them - place of work would be redundant.
  – Flater
  6 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't get the hold. The question doesn't ask about company policy: it specifically says "legally". Arguably this is "law" and not "workplace", but the hold reason is not applicable.
  – Jay
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Edited to attempt to bring on topic for this SE. OP if you feel this deviates from your intention please feel free to roll back.
  – Myles
  24 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  VOTED TO REOPEN - this seems perfectly on-topic to me.
  – Joe Strazzere
  16 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

3

3

as the normal place of work listed legally has to match the company's registered address Not an answer in and of itself, just some common sense: the existence of two types of addresses (registered address, place of work) inherently proves that it's possible for these addresses to be different. If they always have to be exactly the same, you wouldn't need both of them - place of work would be redundant.
– Flater
6 hours ago

as the normal place of work listed legally has to match the company's registered address Not an answer in and of itself, just some common sense: the existence of two types of addresses (registered address, place of work) inherently proves that it's possible for these addresses to be different. If they always have to be exactly the same, you wouldn't need both of them - place of work would be redundant.
– Flater
6 hours ago

1

1

I don't get the hold. The question doesn't ask about company policy: it specifically says "legally". Arguably this is "law" and not "workplace", but the hold reason is not applicable.
– Jay
3 hours ago

I don't get the hold. The question doesn't ask about company policy: it specifically says "legally". Arguably this is "law" and not "workplace", but the hold reason is not applicable.
– Jay
3 hours ago

1

1

Edited to attempt to bring on topic for this SE. OP if you feel this deviates from your intention please feel free to roll back.
– Myles
24 mins ago

Edited to attempt to bring on topic for this SE. OP if you feel this deviates from your intention please feel free to roll back.
– Myles
24 mins ago

VOTED TO REOPEN - this seems perfectly on-topic to me.
– Joe Strazzere
16 mins ago

VOTED TO REOPEN - this seems perfectly on-topic to me.
– Joe Strazzere
16 mins ago

add a comment | 

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

up vote
24
down vote



accepted

My gut feeling is that this legal argument is nonsense.

You're 100% correct - registered address for a Limited company in no way has to be your usual place of work. It can be but no obligation to make it so.

If you're having trouble making them understand that then ask them how on earth companies with multiple offices/branches/etc manage to exist.

Amusingly if you did sign the contract as is but were expected to continue working at your existing site you'd actually become eligible to claim mileage/traveling expenses for going to the existing site as it would no longer be considered your "normal" place of work for tax purposes.. HMRC would almost certainly not accept that of course but you could attempt to use that as a way of point out the wrongness of their proposition by sticking an expenses claim in!

share|improve this answer

edited 5 hours ago

answered 8 hours ago

motosubatsu

33.6k1584136

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks very much for the confirmation. This was my understanding as well, but I wanted a second opinion; legalities are not my strong point.
  – Anonymous
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  No matter what paperwork your employer puts in about your "normal place of work", HMRC will never let you claim expenses for travelling to what is clearly your normal place of work. The duck test applies.
  – Philip Kendall
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @PhilipKendall true.. although the criteria they apply is ill-defined. It would come down to a judgement call from HMRC, my last paragraph is more tongue in cheek then anything else as arguing against the existing site being considered "normal place of work" in the OP's case would never fly in a million years. Still, might be a way of pointing out the idiocy in the contract to them though.
  – motosubatsu
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  If registered location and usual place of work were the same, every self employed contractor would be trouble unless they always work from home... bear in mind though if you don't sign, then you may find yourself without a contract.
  – UKMonkey
  6 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  There is more striking example: virtual offices. Such law would make them actually useless.
  – Agent_L
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
11
down vote

As others have said, the legal argument is nonsense - imagine for example an employee of a supermarket chain - their normal place of work will be the particular branch of the supermarket, but the registered address will be the head office.

I would be very concerned about this, as it clearly says to me that they intend to close your office and force you to commute to the other location. The 'informal' arrangement then won't be worth the paper it isn't written on... I'd also read the rest of the terms VERY carefully, in case they've tried any other tricks...

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

Nick C

2114

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Nick C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

up vote
2
down vote

Other answers have pointed out that the address thing is a lie.

What you should be really worried about is that they are lying to you to get you to sign the contract. Given that, any informal assurances they give you are completely untrustworthy. Nothing will count except what's written in your contract, and expect them to try to get out of that as it suits them. This is a terrible start to an employer-employee relationship.

If you don't go out and find another job, have a lawyer look over your contract before you sign, and be on the alert for other things.

share|improve this answer

answered 4 hours ago

David Thornley

76115

add a comment | 

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
24
down vote



accepted

My gut feeling is that this legal argument is nonsense.

You're 100% correct - registered address for a Limited company in no way has to be your usual place of work. It can be but no obligation to make it so.

If you're having trouble making them understand that then ask them how on earth companies with multiple offices/branches/etc manage to exist.

Amusingly if you did sign the contract as is but were expected to continue working at your existing site you'd actually become eligible to claim mileage/traveling expenses for going to the existing site as it would no longer be considered your "normal" place of work for tax purposes.. HMRC would almost certainly not accept that of course but you could attempt to use that as a way of point out the wrongness of their proposition by sticking an expenses claim in!

share|improve this answer

edited 5 hours ago

answered 8 hours ago

motosubatsu

33.6k1584136

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks very much for the confirmation. This was my understanding as well, but I wanted a second opinion; legalities are not my strong point.
  – Anonymous
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  No matter what paperwork your employer puts in about your "normal place of work", HMRC will never let you claim expenses for travelling to what is clearly your normal place of work. The duck test applies.
  – Philip Kendall
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @PhilipKendall true.. although the criteria they apply is ill-defined. It would come down to a judgement call from HMRC, my last paragraph is more tongue in cheek then anything else as arguing against the existing site being considered "normal place of work" in the OP's case would never fly in a million years. Still, might be a way of pointing out the idiocy in the contract to them though.
  – motosubatsu
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  If registered location and usual place of work were the same, every self employed contractor would be trouble unless they always work from home... bear in mind though if you don't sign, then you may find yourself without a contract.
  – UKMonkey
  6 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  There is more striking example: virtual offices. Such law would make them actually useless.
  – Agent_L
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
24
down vote



accepted

My gut feeling is that this legal argument is nonsense.

You're 100% correct - registered address for a Limited company in no way has to be your usual place of work. It can be but no obligation to make it so.

If you're having trouble making them understand that then ask them how on earth companies with multiple offices/branches/etc manage to exist.

Amusingly if you did sign the contract as is but were expected to continue working at your existing site you'd actually become eligible to claim mileage/traveling expenses for going to the existing site as it would no longer be considered your "normal" place of work for tax purposes.. HMRC would almost certainly not accept that of course but you could attempt to use that as a way of point out the wrongness of their proposition by sticking an expenses claim in!

share|improve this answer

edited 5 hours ago

answered 8 hours ago

motosubatsu

33.6k1584136

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks very much for the confirmation. This was my understanding as well, but I wanted a second opinion; legalities are not my strong point.
  – Anonymous
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  No matter what paperwork your employer puts in about your "normal place of work", HMRC will never let you claim expenses for travelling to what is clearly your normal place of work. The duck test applies.
  – Philip Kendall
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @PhilipKendall true.. although the criteria they apply is ill-defined. It would come down to a judgement call from HMRC, my last paragraph is more tongue in cheek then anything else as arguing against the existing site being considered "normal place of work" in the OP's case would never fly in a million years. Still, might be a way of pointing out the idiocy in the contract to them though.
  – motosubatsu
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  If registered location and usual place of work were the same, every self employed contractor would be trouble unless they always work from home... bear in mind though if you don't sign, then you may find yourself without a contract.
  – UKMonkey
  6 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  There is more striking example: virtual offices. Such law would make them actually useless.
  – Agent_L
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
24
down vote



accepted

up vote
24
down vote



accepted

My gut feeling is that this legal argument is nonsense.

You're 100% correct - registered address for a Limited company in no way has to be your usual place of work. It can be but no obligation to make it so.

If you're having trouble making them understand that then ask them how on earth companies with multiple offices/branches/etc manage to exist.

Amusingly if you did sign the contract as is but were expected to continue working at your existing site you'd actually become eligible to claim mileage/traveling expenses for going to the existing site as it would no longer be considered your "normal" place of work for tax purposes.. HMRC would almost certainly not accept that of course but you could attempt to use that as a way of point out the wrongness of their proposition by sticking an expenses claim in!

share|improve this answer

edited 5 hours ago

answered 8 hours ago

motosubatsu

33.6k1584136

My gut feeling is that this legal argument is nonsense.

You're 100% correct - registered address for a Limited company in no way has to be your usual place of work. It can be but no obligation to make it so.

If you're having trouble making them understand that then ask them how on earth companies with multiple offices/branches/etc manage to exist.

Amusingly if you did sign the contract as is but were expected to continue working at your existing site you'd actually become eligible to claim mileage/traveling expenses for going to the existing site as it would no longer be considered your "normal" place of work for tax purposes.. HMRC would almost certainly not accept that of course but you could attempt to use that as a way of point out the wrongness of their proposition by sticking an expenses claim in!

share|improve this answer

edited 5 hours ago

answered 8 hours ago

motosubatsu

33.6k1584136

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited 5 hours ago

edited 5 hours ago

edited 5 hours ago

answered 8 hours ago

motosubatsu

33.6k1584136

answered 8 hours ago

motosubatsu

33.6k1584136

answered 8 hours ago

motosubatsu

33.6k1584136

33.6k1584136

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks very much for the confirmation. This was my understanding as well, but I wanted a second opinion; legalities are not my strong point.
  – Anonymous
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  No matter what paperwork your employer puts in about your "normal place of work", HMRC will never let you claim expenses for travelling to what is clearly your normal place of work. The duck test applies.
  – Philip Kendall
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @PhilipKendall true.. although the criteria they apply is ill-defined. It would come down to a judgement call from HMRC, my last paragraph is more tongue in cheek then anything else as arguing against the existing site being considered "normal place of work" in the OP's case would never fly in a million years. Still, might be a way of pointing out the idiocy in the contract to them though.
  – motosubatsu
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  If registered location and usual place of work were the same, every self employed contractor would be trouble unless they always work from home... bear in mind though if you don't sign, then you may find yourself without a contract.
  – UKMonkey
  6 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  There is more striking example: virtual offices. Such law would make them actually useless.
  – Agent_L
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

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  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks very much for the confirmation. This was my understanding as well, but I wanted a second opinion; legalities are not my strong point.
  – Anonymous
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


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  No matter what paperwork your employer puts in about your "normal place of work", HMRC will never let you claim expenses for travelling to what is clearly your normal place of work. The duck test applies.
  – Philip Kendall
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


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  @PhilipKendall true.. although the criteria they apply is ill-defined. It would come down to a judgement call from HMRC, my last paragraph is more tongue in cheek then anything else as arguing against the existing site being considered "normal place of work" in the OP's case would never fly in a million years. Still, might be a way of pointing out the idiocy in the contract to them though.
  – motosubatsu
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


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  If registered location and usual place of work were the same, every self employed contractor would be trouble unless they always work from home... bear in mind though if you don't sign, then you may find yourself without a contract.
  – UKMonkey
  6 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


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  There is more striking example: virtual offices. Such law would make them actually useless.
  – Agent_L
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

Thanks very much for the confirmation. This was my understanding as well, but I wanted a second opinion; legalities are not my strong point.
– Anonymous
8 hours ago

Thanks very much for the confirmation. This was my understanding as well, but I wanted a second opinion; legalities are not my strong point.
– Anonymous
8 hours ago

3

3

No matter what paperwork your employer puts in about your "normal place of work", HMRC will never let you claim expenses for travelling to what is clearly your normal place of work. The duck test applies.
– Philip Kendall
7 hours ago

No matter what paperwork your employer puts in about your "normal place of work", HMRC will never let you claim expenses for travelling to what is clearly your normal place of work. The duck test applies.
– Philip Kendall
7 hours ago

3

3

@PhilipKendall true.. although the criteria they apply is ill-defined. It would come down to a judgement call from HMRC, my last paragraph is more tongue in cheek then anything else as arguing against the existing site being considered "normal place of work" in the OP's case would never fly in a million years. Still, might be a way of pointing out the idiocy in the contract to them though.
– motosubatsu
7 hours ago

@PhilipKendall true.. although the criteria they apply is ill-defined. It would come down to a judgement call from HMRC, my last paragraph is more tongue in cheek then anything else as arguing against the existing site being considered "normal place of work" in the OP's case would never fly in a million years. Still, might be a way of pointing out the idiocy in the contract to them though.
– motosubatsu
7 hours ago

2

2

If registered location and usual place of work were the same, every self employed contractor would be trouble unless they always work from home... bear in mind though if you don't sign, then you may find yourself without a contract.
– UKMonkey
6 hours ago

If registered location and usual place of work were the same, every self employed contractor would be trouble unless they always work from home... bear in mind though if you don't sign, then you may find yourself without a contract.
– UKMonkey
6 hours ago

1

1

There is more striking example: virtual offices. Such law would make them actually useless.
– Agent_L
6 hours ago

There is more striking example: virtual offices. Such law would make them actually useless.
– Agent_L
6 hours ago

add a comment | 

up vote
11
down vote

As others have said, the legal argument is nonsense - imagine for example an employee of a supermarket chain - their normal place of work will be the particular branch of the supermarket, but the registered address will be the head office.

I would be very concerned about this, as it clearly says to me that they intend to close your office and force you to commute to the other location. The 'informal' arrangement then won't be worth the paper it isn't written on... I'd also read the rest of the terms VERY carefully, in case they've tried any other tricks...

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

Nick C

2114

New contributor

Nick C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

up vote
11
down vote

As others have said, the legal argument is nonsense - imagine for example an employee of a supermarket chain - their normal place of work will be the particular branch of the supermarket, but the registered address will be the head office.

I would be very concerned about this, as it clearly says to me that they intend to close your office and force you to commute to the other location. The 'informal' arrangement then won't be worth the paper it isn't written on... I'd also read the rest of the terms VERY carefully, in case they've tried any other tricks...

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

Nick C

2114

New contributor

Nick C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

up vote
11
down vote

up vote
11
down vote

As others have said, the legal argument is nonsense - imagine for example an employee of a supermarket chain - their normal place of work will be the particular branch of the supermarket, but the registered address will be the head office.

I would be very concerned about this, as it clearly says to me that they intend to close your office and force you to commute to the other location. The 'informal' arrangement then won't be worth the paper it isn't written on... I'd also read the rest of the terms VERY carefully, in case they've tried any other tricks...

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

Nick C

2114

New contributor

Nick C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

As others have said, the legal argument is nonsense - imagine for example an employee of a supermarket chain - their normal place of work will be the particular branch of the supermarket, but the registered address will be the head office.

I would be very concerned about this, as it clearly says to me that they intend to close your office and force you to commute to the other location. The 'informal' arrangement then won't be worth the paper it isn't written on... I'd also read the rest of the terms VERY carefully, in case they've tried any other tricks...

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

Nick C

2114

New contributor

Nick C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

Nick C

2114

New contributor

Nick C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

answered 6 hours ago

Nick C

2114

answered 6 hours ago

Nick C

2114

2114

New contributor

Nick C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

New contributor

Nick C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

Nick C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

up vote
2
down vote

Other answers have pointed out that the address thing is a lie.

What you should be really worried about is that they are lying to you to get you to sign the contract. Given that, any informal assurances they give you are completely untrustworthy. Nothing will count except what's written in your contract, and expect them to try to get out of that as it suits them. This is a terrible start to an employer-employee relationship.

If you don't go out and find another job, have a lawyer look over your contract before you sign, and be on the alert for other things.

share|improve this answer

answered 4 hours ago

David Thornley

76115

add a comment | 

up vote
2
down vote

Other answers have pointed out that the address thing is a lie.

What you should be really worried about is that they are lying to you to get you to sign the contract. Given that, any informal assurances they give you are completely untrustworthy. Nothing will count except what's written in your contract, and expect them to try to get out of that as it suits them. This is a terrible start to an employer-employee relationship.

If you don't go out and find another job, have a lawyer look over your contract before you sign, and be on the alert for other things.

share|improve this answer

answered 4 hours ago

David Thornley

76115

add a comment | 

up vote
2
down vote

up vote
2
down vote

Other answers have pointed out that the address thing is a lie.

What you should be really worried about is that they are lying to you to get you to sign the contract. Given that, any informal assurances they give you are completely untrustworthy. Nothing will count except what's written in your contract, and expect them to try to get out of that as it suits them. This is a terrible start to an employer-employee relationship.

If you don't go out and find another job, have a lawyer look over your contract before you sign, and be on the alert for other things.

share|improve this answer

answered 4 hours ago

David Thornley

76115

Other answers have pointed out that the address thing is a lie.

What you should be really worried about is that they are lying to you to get you to sign the contract. Given that, any informal assurances they give you are completely untrustworthy. Nothing will count except what's written in your contract, and expect them to try to get out of that as it suits them. This is a terrible start to an employer-employee relationship.

If you don't go out and find another job, have a lawyer look over your contract before you sign, and be on the alert for other things.

share|improve this answer

answered 4 hours ago

David Thornley

76115

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 4 hours ago

David Thornley

76115

answered 4 hours ago

David Thornley

76115

answered 4 hours ago

David Thornley

76115

76115

add a comment | 

add a comment |