Travel time and/or costs - Iowa

[cab]

My concerns are related to those expressed in this post.

My circumstances differ somewhat. I am paid hourly, nonexempt. The travel was to an industry conference, several hours away, during working hours in a personal vehicle. The company scheduled and paid for the conference fees and lodging, however it is not paying for travel time and fuel nor mileage.

My understanding is that there are limited specific laws regarding work-related travel and that it is mostly based on individual company policy.

If policy is unclear as to particular costs either paid or reimbursed, is it then up to the company to decide case-by-case?

Is there any requirement to be consistent among various instances or employees?

A secondary concern: Can a company require employees to share company-paid hotel rooms? Or beds? (same gender in this situation)

Thanks.

[ScottB]

Originally Posted by cab

The travel was to an industry conference, several hours away, during working hours in a personal vehicle. The company scheduled and paid for the conference fees and lodging, however it is not paying for travel time and fuel nor mileage.

Travel during normal working hours is supposed to be paid time. There is no requirement for the company to provide mileage reimbursement.

[Pattymd]

And, generally speaking, even if your drive occurred during NON-regularly scheduled working hours, it would be work time.
http://www.dol.gov/dol/allcfr/ESA/Ti...9CFR785.40.htm

California is the only state which requires reimbursement of business-related expenses incurred by the employee, so no, they don't have to pay mileage or other vehicle-related expenses.

And no, the law does not address whether or not you can be required to share a room. I don't think it's a good idea, personally, but that's just my opinion. I had to do it once at a company I worked for (but not for very long), I was sick nearly the whole time, my roommate didn't smoke (I did) and I'm sure I kept her up half the night.