The recovery of more than £107,000 in unpaid mileage expenses for care workers has attracted significant attention across the employment and HR press, highlighting the importance of ensuring workers are properly reimbursed for work-related travel costs.
Senior Associate Chloe Grant of Bellevue Law was recently quoted in a number of publications discussing the implications of a Fair Work Agency investigation which found that care workers had been underpaid due to unreimbursed mileage expenses.
The issue is particularly relevant for employers with mobile workforces, including those in the care, healthcare, facilities management and support services sectors, where employees are regularly required to travel between locations as part of their duties.
As scrutiny of worker rights and compliance continues to increase, the case serves as a reminder that employers should review their expenses practices and reimbursement policies to ensure workers are not inadvertently paid below minimum wage thresholds as a result of work-related costs.
Chloe’s comments appeared in the following publications:
This case highlights a key area of risk for employers. Where employees incur expenses in carrying out their role, businesses should ensure reimbursement arrangements are carefully reviewed and documented. Failure to do so can lead not only to wage underpayments but also enforcement action, financial penalties and reputational damage.
Listen: Bellevue Law’s Fair Work Agency podcast
The Fair Work Agency is expected to play an increasingly significant role in UK employment law enforcement. In our recent podcast, Bellevue Law’s employment law specialists discuss the Agency’s powers, what employers can expect, and the practical steps organisations should be taking to prepare.
Listen to the podcast here: The Bellevue Brief Podcasts – Season 2 (ERA 2025) Episode 6 : Fair Work Agency – Bellevue Law
This recent mileage expenses investigation demonstrates the type of issue that may attract greater scrutiny as enforcement activity develops, making it even more important for employers to understand their compliance obligations.
Bellevue Law regularly advises employers on wage compliance, worker status, expenses policies and broader employment law risk management. If you would like advice on reviewing your organisation’s arrangements, please get in touch with our team.
