What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois
Hi everyone.
I have a question/concern regarding the legality of a new "rule" my employer has implemented.
I work in IT as an outsourced technology director and sometimes-field technician for a company. For the last two summers, I have ridden a motorcycle to work as often as I can, simply because I love saving money on the gas (which is paid at the IRS per mile rate when visiting clients) and because it's enjoyable. I have had no issues with carrying my tools of the trade/parts/etc in this time frame. While there are 2 other employees who have motorcycles, I am known as the "motorcycle guy" at work and am the only one who uses it at clients. My bikes are nice and look great, are not ratty/smelly/etc. (Comes into play soon.)
Today, when I arrived at work, my lead/manager told me, "Hey, this isn't meant to pick on you, but we are no longer allowing motorcycles at clients." I asked why and was told, "What if you needed to go on an emergency trip to fix something.. you wouldn't be able to." (Nevermind I've done this for 2 years now with no issues..) I said, "OK, well.. I have an enormous set of luggage I can add to it.. if that's not enough, what if I got a motorcycle hitch and small trailer?" I figured if the vehicle was able to function in a capacity equivalent to that of my four-wheeled vehicles, there should be no problem on days I used it. I was then told, "Well, a motorcycle isn't a 'professional' vehicle." I didn't know they had the ability to decide what was professional or not. I asked "what if I got a Nissan Leaf electric car and couldn't travel more than 75 miles round trip? Would that be unprofessional of me to do, as I can no longer travel to/from certain clients?" My manager then said, "Well, I didn't make the rule, sorry.. you can take it to HR if you wish." I am currently doing that. I would kind of understand if the bikes were in disrepair or very smelly, etc, but as I noted, they are not. At the same time.. if someone couldn't afford a car that wasn't a piece of junk, I dont' think it would be fair to call it unprofessional, either.
I feel singled out and discriminated against... what's the legality of this situation? Can they limit what vehicles I am allowed to use? We do have a company van that we can sign out when it is available (rarely), and I'm happy to use it on certain days.. but I'm also outsourced four days a week to a client in the city and am being told that I can't ride it there, either. All three of the "VIP/higher-up" people at that site are bikers and we all get along, so I know there have been no complaints...
Just looking for advice.
Thanks!
Hi everyone.
I have a question/concern regarding the legality of a new "rule" my employer has implemented.
I work in IT as an outsourced technology director and sometimes-field technician for a company. For the last two summers, I have ridden a motorcycle to work as often as I can, simply because I love saving money on the gas (which is paid at the IRS per mile rate when visiting clients) and because it's enjoyable. I have had no issues with carrying my tools of the trade/parts/etc in this time frame. While there are 2 other employees who have motorcycles, I am known as the "motorcycle guy" at work and am the only one who uses it at clients. My bikes are nice and look great, are not ratty/smelly/etc. (Comes into play soon.)
Today, when I arrived at work, my lead/manager told me, "Hey, this isn't meant to pick on you, but we are no longer allowing motorcycles at clients." I asked why and was told, "What if you needed to go on an emergency trip to fix something.. you wouldn't be able to." (Nevermind I've done this for 2 years now with no issues..) I said, "OK, well.. I have an enormous set of luggage I can add to it.. if that's not enough, what if I got a motorcycle hitch and small trailer?" I figured if the vehicle was able to function in a capacity equivalent to that of my four-wheeled vehicles, there should be no problem on days I used it. I was then told, "Well, a motorcycle isn't a 'professional' vehicle." I didn't know they had the ability to decide what was professional or not. I asked "what if I got a Nissan Leaf electric car and couldn't travel more than 75 miles round trip? Would that be unprofessional of me to do, as I can no longer travel to/from certain clients?" My manager then said, "Well, I didn't make the rule, sorry.. you can take it to HR if you wish." I am currently doing that. I would kind of understand if the bikes were in disrepair or very smelly, etc, but as I noted, they are not. At the same time.. if someone couldn't afford a car that wasn't a piece of junk, I dont' think it would be fair to call it unprofessional, either.
I feel singled out and discriminated against... what's the legality of this situation? Can they limit what vehicles I am allowed to use? We do have a company van that we can sign out when it is available (rarely), and I'm happy to use it on certain days.. but I'm also outsourced four days a week to a client in the city and am being told that I can't ride it there, either. All three of the "VIP/higher-up" people at that site are bikers and we all get along, so I know there have been no complaints...
Just looking for advice.
Thanks!
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