When we book travel through DXC’s preferred system, we’re treated to a delightful spectrum of hotel options — everything from “character‑building budget charm” to “I could accidentally spend £1,500 this week and still not find the minibar.”
But the moment you try to claim sustenance expenses, the system suddenly becomes the strictest accountant in the Western Hemisphere. The £50 daily allowance is perfectly reasonable (unless you’re in a capital city, where £50 buys you a coffee and the right to smell someone else’s lunch). Yet submit a meal that’s even 1p over and the system reacts like you’ve attempted financial treason: flashing warnings, red alerts, and a polite suggestion to pay for your own dinner like a naughty schoolchild.
Personally, I rarely hit the daily limit — unless the hotel decides breakfast is an optional luxury, but that’s a separate therapy session. Still, if you’re away for seven nights, that’s £350 total. It would be far more sensible if we could use that flexibly. Some nights you might grab a McDonald’s for under a tenner, and on others you might want to try a decent independent restaurant, or just eat in the hotel without feeling like you’re committing an administrative crime.
Anyway… I realise these are very much first‑world problems. But still — mildly entertaining ones.
2 replies (most recent on top)
Please fill in your timesheets regularly and if you are on a call with the customer, please do ask the customer to initial the tineshits as well.
This is the reason I refuse to travel these days.
The client was paying the bill, but it was a fight every single week to get my travel auth approved, and the expenses paid. Every so often they just get randomly rejected and then the WBS has been blocked and there's nothing we can do!
A company that has the stance - do what you need to, but don't take the pi-s gets far more out of its employees. Many of our competitors grant a working away allowance. You can choose how you spend it. Or indeed save it. It's yours - it's part of the deal and understanding that giving up your home and social life for your company is a commitment many aren't prepared to make. If you are - you should be treated well and financially rewarded for your input.
DXC made it too difficult to work - and they wonder why nobody wants to. They now have a he-l of a struggle to convince any of us that it's changed. The new logo needs to come with substance.