travel to work- is this private information or can my company ask

[chrisdring]

Hi there,

My company are asking me how i get to work, do they have any legal right to ask how i get to work? i did not join any scheme for reduced travel. They are now questioning how i get to work. Is it any of their business?
please help.
thanks

[factor-fiction]

I can't see they have a legal right to demand it, but I also can't see why you are so concerned about it.
Is it just a survey (pehaps to help them plan parking or liaise with local bus companies).
Are they insisting that you tell them- have they threatened disciplinary action if you don't?
What is your objection to helping them out by providing the information.
Can you not give a non-specific answer along the lines of "my mode of transport varies from day to day depending on circumstances including the weather but can be b one or a combination of the following- bus, car, walking, tram, tavel, taxi"

[bednobs]

while it probably isn't any of their business, it seems bizarre in the extreme to want to withold the information from them. They could have a valid reason for asking - for example planning car parking spaces, or cycle sheds or staff car parking badges? perhaps they want to introduce a car sharing scheme, or as in my job check relevant insurances are in place. Perhaps thy are looking at moving the base and seeing how feasible that wold be or their employees. The govermenent often put obligations on employers to make their employees use sustainable travel, and it would seem reasonable to find out the position they are in now with their employees.

[TCL-MUMPING]

It may be in a company contract that they have the right to ask employees to work elsewhere within a certain travelling time. If you get there by foot they would expect you to use the bus if need be, if you travel by car, that would give you more flexibility to travel elsewhere.

If they have a car park, they may be looking at the priorities of those who use it, job, length of service/seniority and distance travelled etc.

Just tell them, what's the harm eh?