Hi Folks,
I need some advice on how to approach my employer regarding compensation for travel time for a new project I will be starting. I don't know how to do this without making a "career limiting move", as this is a smallish company, and the owner is less than accomodating for family / personnel issues.
Currently, my employer only compensates for travel time outside of the greater Toronto area. The employer also just implemented uniform employment contracts / h.r. Policies. When I mentioned the drive to my boss (not the owner) she essentially said suck it up, I drive that much everyday too (she lives on the opposite side of the city)
I have nearly closed on a 12 month contract for my services as a project manager. I expect to be able to increase our rather low rate by $20/hour. This means the company will make an additional ~$40,000 on my time at the client, as well as open the door for price increases for our other consultants. (I am already working at this client on a different project)
However, this will lock me in driving 2 - 2.5 hours a day. To put it in perspective, this is 500 - 600 hours a year... In terrible Toronto area traffic.
I am actually very interested in this project. It is critical to the success of the business, as in if they don't complete this project in a year, they are no longer manufacturing product. I suspect telecommuting isn't an option (need to interact face to face + I have a 2.5 year old and a 6 month old at home).
I also had a revenue neutral promotion to manager from consultant last year. (I was well compensated as a consultant, and am now just at the average for management) on the plus side I have 4 weeks of vacation a year.
So I have a couple of choices:
1 - Ask for compensation of travel time and deal with the fallout.
2 - Suck it up.
3 - find a local, bike-able job with similar compensation.
What are your thoughts?