Over at the Canadian Media Guild, they are talking about a new policy brought down by management that CBC employees will not be reimbursed for passport fees when travelling for work. Employees are encouraged to still file the expenses and then take it up with the union if expenses are denied.
Good arguments could be made for both sides in this issue.
- On one hand, there really aren’t that many companies that would reimburse passport expenses, as the passport has personal as well as business use.
- On the employee side, some employees actually do only go out of the country on business and choose to spend their vacation and other time in Canada only - the CBC may arguably have more employees that are inclined to do this than other organizations.
There is also the good old “we’ve had it and now it is being taken away”, which doesn’t sit well with anyone. Kind of like having a nice holiday party every year and then being told you have to pay for admission.
What do you think about the new passport policy? Fair? Unfair?
Photo by HJL used under Creative Commons licence.
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Is the passport needed for the person’s work? If so, the CBC should pay for it. If not, than no. The only reason I have a passport is for business travel and my employer pays for it.
If CBC pays for it, then CBC should hold on to it, giving it to the employee when he/she is traveling for CBC.
If CBC pays for it, then CBC should hold on to it, giving it to the employee when he/she is traveling for CBC.
This place is already enough of a sweatshop. Don’t give people ideas.
The “Is the passport needed for the person’s work?” is silly. I need pants for my work–should my employer pay for them?
Even if you never use it for pleasure (and you really should), it’s all of $17 a year.
The appropriate question here is: how many employers, public and private, cover this expense? Is it commonplace?
I’m guessing that the answers there are “very few” and “no” but that’s pure speculation. I’ve traveled internationally for jobs, and the subject has never arisen.
Since it is now a required item to be able to travel in the US I believe it should be at least partially funded by the employer where such travel is required. I work in a unionized environment. When I work with one part of the business no funding for safety foot wear. Now that I work in a division where I am required to wear them when visiting some sites - the company ponies up 50%. This recognizes that I must have them as part of my job and that I will most likely get some personal wear out of them. In fact the shoe allowance can be spent every 2 years since they don’t want you working in an unsafe manner.
When we could travel to the US with only a birth certificate and a driver’s license there may have been some viable argument for not partially funding passports for employees who are required to travel there. With the new regulations it is an onerous burden on the employee to pay and keep up this document if it is required for business. Even if the travel is infrequent but could be at short notice the company should be contributing to the cost of the document.
When our drivers need to renew their specialized licenses the company pays. When they need special clothing the company pays or provides.
I would be very resentful of having to keep a current passport because my employer needs me to be able to travel. This is not the same as your regular driver’s license. It is not an frivolous expense in money, time and effort to get this document. I live by a passport office and at the height of it lines went around the block at 6 in the morning. They should be grateful that the employee isn’t charging for their time to stand in line for this required document.
added to comment
“If CBC pays for it, then CBC should hold on to it, giving it to the employee when he/she is traveling for CBC.”
Welcome to the police state. Check your rights at the door.
Tod: A passport is good for five years, so that works out to $17.40 a year. Or, if you prefer, $87 once every five years.
Ah… right! Damn this decaf coffee! ;-)– Tod
If you were working on research money (from SSHRC or NSERC) then there is no way you can submit you passport or visa costs against that research money even if you travel for work/research. Vos papiers aren’t much different.