Conference 7.286::digital

    Just to clarify - I've been the same office longer than either of the
    current managers or past resent ones, and the office was in it's
    present location (or 1 block from it) since before their arrival. In
    fact, the original Customer Svcs mgr did'nt live close to the office
    either. In short, the implication that the location was selected as a
    convenience to them is unsubstantiated. All major vendors in our area
    are in the same general location. I think this is a more likely reason
    for the choice, along with some proximity to the airport.

    RE:.0

    	All my working life I've had to get myself to work and back home
    again on my own time.  Those people who actually punch a time card
    don't punch it at home they punch it at work.  I don't see where the
    company should pay for your travel time either unless it's a perk you
    negotiated for when you where hired.  Wouldn't it be to your benefit to
    use the shorter mileage between your home and the customer rather than
    the longer mileage between your home and the plant.

    Joe 

    reg.1
    I'm still not sure why being next to the more impressive IBM building
    has to be a prerequisite for locating an office. As far as the airport
    for overnight deliverys, most air freight companys guarantee the same
    time for the whole metro area, as far of customers I'm not sure very
    many fly in, to come to the office.
    
    reg.2
    I understand that getting to the office,and returning is my time. But
    that isn't the issue. If I leave my home to go to a customer are not
    I working for digital, case in point. If a customer does not have a
    service agreement with digital ( PER CALL ) we charge the customer for
    the travel time, to and back from his location. Since I'm charging him
    for my travel from home, aren't I on digitals time. ( which would
    equate to business mileage ). Second case if I get injured in a
    accident traveling to the customer first thing in thr morning or
    returning from my last call fo the day, is this a work comp issue or my
    wife medical insurance issue.
    

    If the site is closer than the office, the mileage is personal.
    
    You're on DEC's time once you get to either the site or the office. Not
    before.
    
    The only modification allowed is regarding standby callout where your
    home is considered your office.
    
    It doesn't matter where or why the office is where it is.
    
    I believe that this an IRS interpertation, therefore DEC has no
    latitude in the policy.
    

	A related story...

	The only time I've ever experienced anyone charging door-to-door was 
	several years ago when a plumber I'd called started the clock the 
	moment he left HIS door and stopped it when he got back to his office. 
	I questioned him about the bill and got him to adjust the travel
	time. He said it was company policy to charge the travel time. From
	that, I suspect it's nothing to do with state law whether a company
	charges travel time, but a matter of company practices (at least in
	Massachusetts). FWIW, I changed plumbers.

    Digital charges all its per-call maintenance customers for travel.
    

    re: 3. - I never said that locating close to IBM and others was driven
    by a need to "humble ourselves" when comparing offices. The point is
    that MANY computer companies tend to locate close to each other. I've
    seen this in several different cities across the country. Why is it so?
    Don't really know, just seems to be that way. I'm sure there is a
    reasonable business logic.  Historically, our office was just across
    from the airport as you may recall and there was a reason for it which
    perhaps still carried influence in our remaining somewhat close in the
    2 moves since that point. Perhaps more light can be shed on the real
    reason by asking those in the office who were there when decisions were
    made, eh?

       From what I understand when I was asked to participate in the new
    office committee last year, moving the office a small distance from the
    ( I bielieve 5-10 miles from the orginal office ) could open the door
    of relocation for some employees. So I guess the seed can not move
    very far from where its planted. Its just frustrating servicing a large
    percentage of are customers from such a inconvenient location. And now
    with the change in the car plan ( personal use charges ) it effects
    mine and our bottom line.
    

    Reg .4
    
    I did some research today regarding IRS regulations for
    personal/business of use of a car. ( from IRS publication 917 and 17 )
    
    Home: The place where you reside. Transportation expenses between your
    home and your main or regular place of work are personal commuting
    expenses.
    
    Regular or main job: Your principal place of business. If you have more
    than one job, you must determine which one is your regular or main job.
    Consider the time you spend at each, the activity you have at each, and
    the income you earn at each.
    
    Temporary work site: A place where your work assignment is irregular or
    short-term generally a matter of days or weeks. Unless you have a
    regular place of business, you can only deduct your transportation
    expenses to a temporary site outside your metropolitan area.
    
    So my interpretation of the last paragraph regarding my
    field/customer/multi vendor service enginner postion.
    
    1) I do have a regular place of business ( digital office )
    
    2) Temporary work site where your work assignment is irreguler
       ( customers site for repair of hardware/software issues which
         have no predetermined time frame established. )
    
    So leaving or returning from or to home for digital is BUSINESS MILES.
    any opinions.
              

    RE: .7
    
    If your office is close to the "other" offices, people from both 
    offices will probably eat lunch at the same place.  It's amazing 
    what you hear at lunch.   Remember....
    
    	Loose lips sink ships!!!
    
    

    milage will vary depending on your car plan....
    by the way ... IRS alows .28 cents per mile while DEC gives up
    .225 cents per mile
    
    ?? who's following IRS guidlines ??
    
    re. 8 
    
    your office is too far from my office for lunch
    ...that last line must be from your Navy day....
    
    Isaac T.

    re. 11
    the message that stated re. 8 was for 10
    it's late, I'm tired and I never like "numbers"
    
    
    Isaac T.
    

    Quickie question...
    
    Is there somewhere I can get interplant mileage on-line?
    
    ie, miles from PKO to NIO.
        miles from NIO to MKO.
    
    etc...
    
    Thanks,
    Steve
    

VTX TRAVEL

#10	1995 Expense Limits

#7	Mass/New Hampshire Mileage Chart (10/11/94)

    
>    Is there somewhere I can get interplant mileage on-line?
    
    What I thought I saw initially was:
    
    Is there somewhere I can get interplanetary mileage on-line?

	VTX Travel still show $.225/mile as mileage reimbursement.

	IRS for 1995 now allows $.30/mile.

	Anyone know if we plan to raise the reimbursement?

    >
    >	Anyone know if we plan to raise the reimbursement?
    >
    
    Digital has been systematically eliminating perquisites for employees
    over the last five years (if not longer).  Why would you expect them
    to act contrary to that pattern here?
    
    					andrew 

    
    Or lower the mileage reimbursement.........

Mileage reimbursement is not a perquisite.

		Steve

    I probably should have placed "perquisites" in quotes -- several
    other benefits that were eliminated weren't perquisites, either.
    
    					andrew

    .16
    
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
    
    Best joke I've heard in a long time!

    I don't wanna tip off Corporate's hand but...y'all got bicycle helmets?

    
    	So the rumour's true - we *are* getting motorscooters. And that
    saves a lot of money, sportsfans!!!
    
    	'Course you got to drive 500 miles a month, or more...
    
    
    			the Greyhawk

 >     	So the rumour's true - we *are* getting motorscooters. And that
 >     saves a lot of money, sportsfans!!!
    
    Who said anything about *motor*scooters?

    
    	Got to be; legal wouldn't be able to handle something with wheels
    without a motor. Our insurance rates would go through the roof...
    
    	Of course, knowing Tex, we could be getting horses ;-)
    
    		the Greyhawk

    You receive a box of horsesh*t for Christmas.  Your reaction is:
    
    Pessimist: "Sh*t!  This is all I got?"
    
    Optimist: "Oh, boy!  There must be a horse nearby!"
    
    								Tex

"But Mrs. Kressge, it's GREAT sh*t!"

    
    
    ..... we're all Bozos on this bus!
    

    
    ...and we're waiting for the Electrician, or someone like him!
    
    Good Lord, didn't realize so many of us knew how far it was to Goshen!
    
    								Tex

  Waht a bunch of clones!

                                   Atlant

Hey, man, you broke the pres-ee-dent!

    Where's Nick Danger when you need him?
    
    				-John

re: .32

>    Where's Nick Danger when you need him?
    
I think he's on the other side of the record!

- Pc.

  Wait, a minute, let's check...

  "...seivochna on htiw og ot azzip a evah ll'I"
  
  "!regnaD eman ym lleps I -- seivochna oN"

  Yes, it's okay, he's still there.

                                   Atlant

re: .32

>    Where's Nick Danger when you need him?
    
Why, reading the name on the glass of his office door, of course!

Regnad Kcin.

-Hal

    Or my all time favorite:
    
    "You vill sign zee papers!"
    
    {sob}"I cannot sign zee papers!"
    
    "You VILL sign zee papers!!!"
    
    {sob}"But I CANNOT sign zee papers!!!"
    
    "Vy can't you sign zee papers?!?"
    
    "You have broken all my fingers!!"
    
    Part of the "Come to Haiti" marketing skit, if I remember correctly.

>    Part of the "Come to Haiti" marketing skit, if I remember correctly.
    
    Not remembering correctly.  That's Cheech & Chong, not Firesign Theatre.
    
    
    "This is a rebus written in a simple head code.  Any English schoolboy
     could catch it.  Achoo!"
    

re: .37

>>    Part of the "Come to Haiti" marketing skit, if I remember correctly.
>    
>    Not remembering correctly.  That's Cheech & Chong, not Firesign Theatre.
    
Hmm, are you sure it isn't from National Lampoon's "Radio Dinner" album?    

-Hal

Definately Cheech and Chong!  The name of the track is "Tortured Old Man",
circa 1971.

-mark

re: .39

>Definately Cheech and Chong!  The name of the track is "Tortured Old Man",
>circa 1971.

I must have been confused by the "Come to Haiti" part.  "Radio Dinner"
definitely had a skit with that line in it.

-Hal

    
    "If you lived here, you'd be home by now!"
    
    .mike.