I'm a low level manager of a sales support team (admin) for a healthcare company, working remotely. HR suddenly demanded that all 200+ employees who were onboarded remotely since 2020 and live in our county need to drive down to the office and verify their I-9 documents in-person next week.
Our county is pretty big and I have an employee who lives far from the office, but within county lines. They don't have a car. HR has refused to cover this employee's travel expenses for the mandatory in-office document inspection, which I think could be up to $100+ for a rideshare – did I mention this employee doesn't have a car?? And no public transit will work for this. Our HR replied back to me “sorry it's a US govt requirement” with a smiley face in the email.
Of course I'm going to reimburse this employee myself. They're still upset that the company won't pay directly, and it's coming out of my pocket. I reassured them not to worry, but my husband is actually unemployed for 6 months now and I do need the money. But it's too unfair on my employee who makes less than myself, so I have no issue paying them.
My only issue is, what the hell company?? It's even more annoying because we're one of those touchy feely companies that brags about “core values” but won't even pay for employees to travel locally for a mandatory work requirement. This shouldn't even be legal in my state, but I'm sure they found a loophole. Any other remote workers dealing with this situation lately, or can relate?