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Rising Star
It is pretty common for jobs that require some on-site services will either provide a vehicle, or will reimburse you for using your own vehicle. But, for anyone whose job doesn't require regular customer visits, a "company car" is a perk went out in the 1980s.
A company vehicle should be non-negotiable at this point. How are they not seeing that? I honestly wouldn't take a role where they expected me to put so many miles on my own car. Not worth the long-term wear and tear
If I didn’t work I wouldn’t need a car in the first place so I agree with you conceptually, but they’re not going to pay you to take a train/bus either probably so it’s up to you. Companies take more of a “not our problem “ approach
All these comments and no one is speaking the same language. Commute to work and doing your job are two separate things. Your commute to your job is on you. If you accept a job hours away, that’s on you to get there. If you are THEN going to go to a customer that is not in your office, that is on the company and they should provide a vehicle or travel stipend to use your own car. Most offer mileage but it does nothing for wear and tear. If it’s full time service technician, a vehicle is the only professional option to provide. If you are a salesman, that’s a gray area because you’re selling for commissions and if you want to make more money, you will get yourself to your potentials, but your ultimately selling for the company so they should provide a vehicle, it’s just harder to track because sales usually don’t come into an office so they are not receiving locations or instructions.
Dont think its your companies business. If you were hired lets say for Londons office and you live far away it is on you to figure out how to get to the office if you accepted the offer. If you were hired and then you moved out of the location (happened to alot of people during covid) and are now struggling to get to the office everyday the employer has no obligation to meet your requirement
Entirely understandable you'd prefer not to drive without a company vehicle, just as it's entirely understandable you wouldn't want to commute at all for work.
Reality is that many (if not most) orgs don't want to deal with company vehicles and prefer just reimbursing mileage (even at lower rates from past years!), just like many orgs want derrières in chairs. All a matter of knowing what you need and finding a place that fits you best!
Most apartments complexes have golf carts to use so you don't use your personal vehicle.
If you live in the USA, the IRS stipulates a Per Diem, when you use your personal vehicle for business reasons. Of course you need to keep a very accurate log, as well as receipts for gas, repairs, insurance not only for income tax filing, but in case you get audited. The Per Diem is to cover those expenses. I won't take any type of job, no matter how much they pay me, or give me bonuses etc as an incentive to use my personal vehicle for business. Nor work for an employer who requests that I use my vehicle. Most companies that hire Field Service Tech, aka desktop support, will require personal vehicles. Those companies don't want the liability of owning fleet vehicles, the cost of buying, maintaining and insurance, so they place the burden on their employees, which tells me they won't have your back if something happens to you while performing business transactions..
Chief
What does this have to do with tech?
I'd say that most FSRs are closer to working “in tech” than most Directors I know.
I had bosses tell me before, "Hey, we not tell you where to live, just be here." And when cars die and they need to be in the shop, boy do they make YOU feel guilty for missing work.
Run for the hills
It’s a perfectly valid concern. While using a personal vehicle for work-related tasks can lead to significant out-of-pocket expenses such as rent or utilities. While mileage reimbursement covers fuel costs to an extent, it often falls short of addressing wear and tear, maintenance insurance and the depreciation of the vehicle. Ensuring that a job includes a company vehicle can alleviate these hidden costs and provide peace of mind, making it a key factor in your job search criteria. Sounds like a smart move to me.