Charged by employer for a replacement security/swipe card to enter office building.

LMummy2 on 02/02/2015 - 20:45

My partner lost his security/swipe card for work (for a professional company). He was charged $90 for a replacement by his employer.
Is this normal to be charged (and this kind of amount)? He's not aware of any Ts&Cs in his contract that state he will be charged for a replacement security/swipe card. It's more the principle than the amount that bothers him.
It's the first time he's ever lost a work security card so not sure if this is standard policy, or not, these days - I lost one once in 2002 and wasn't charged for a replacement (but was at a different company).

I suggested he submit a expense form to his employers to reclaim the amount as legitimate work expenses (without the swipe card he is unable get into the office to do his job) ;)

Education & Work

Comments

  • PVA on 02/02/2015 - 21:07

    not good at all. contact his Union I think.

    If anything at least claim it on tax.

  • grabngo on 02/02/2015 - 21:12
    -1

    Perhaps there are costs incurred in changing the access codes etc.
    None the less,he should have a rethink about his position at work.
    Working for people is getting so over-rated.
    We should become gardeners or vets.
    No need to deal with people.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/02/2015 - 22:00

      vets' suicide rate is approximately four times that of the adult population.

      • [Deactivated] on 03/02/2015 - 00:22
        +1

        Access to lethal drugs might also be something worth considering with those stats, no? I mean, just personally, if I was suicidally depressed in various careers, hypothetically… chances are I'm most likely going to DO it (or at least succeed) if I could simply swipe some lethabarb one day on the job, go home, knowing that there's no mucking about or room for error here.. and be done with it.

        I reckon being a vet would be hideously depressing. I adore animals more than anything in the universe, but jebus, I'd never be a vet. Imagine the heartache. No wonder the suicide rate is high, if indeed those are the statistics :( The shit they'd have to see, and people they'd have to deal with… cos.. the animals do have owners (and not all are ideal).

      • [Deactivated] on 03/02/2015 - 10:00
        +2

        That escalated quickly

  • chazfg on 02/02/2015 - 21:17
    +1

    No, it is not normal. The replacement swipe card may be issued by a separate contractor, which is normal for small businesses, but still not normal to get charged for a replacement card.
    I worked for both small and big companies, have damaged my swipe cards several times and lost one, but all were considered as wear and tear.

  • Morien on 02/02/2015 - 21:25

    Pretty normal in my experience. Charge was upfront from day 1. $90 seems steep though.

  • Shadowsfury on 02/02/2015 - 22:11

    My workplace charges about $60

  • rooman on 02/02/2015 - 22:54

    The charge is to high. Access cards cost $10-$25 depending on the coding on the card and take about 2 minutes to program. It would be a reprint and to cancel the old card is another 30 seconds, each card is numbered and it is easy to do. Claim it on your tax

  • Magpye on 02/02/2015 - 23:05

    The replacement fee is at the discretion of the company providing them, and are typically much higher than the card costs, purely as a deterrent.
    However, when he was issued the card, they should have made it very clear, as in provided in writing, that there is a fee incurred for losing a card. I'm not sure on the legality of them not informing him, but he has a reasonable defence if he was not provided any warning about fees.
    He should go over his T&C's and make sure it is not covered in there first though.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/02/2015 - 08:16

    $90 seems steep.
    At my work your first replacement is free, $20 thereafter

  • Forfiet on 04/02/2015 - 00:10

    My card has a dual purpose, so mine costs $25~ to replace….

  • Shadow54 on 04/02/2015 - 12:29

    The charge is waaaaaay above the actual cost of replacement! Sounds like the kind of mean spirited ripp off company that I work for!!

  • TtiGeR on 06/02/2015 - 22:06

    Sounds more like a punishment than the actual cost of replacement.

  • tonyjzx on 10/02/2015 - 15:57

    even if the charge was stated upfront, its illegal

    a call to fair work would clarify

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