I recently moved to Switzerland because of a job opportunity in sales. I have previous sales experience from a similar role (actually the same corporation) from another country, and as one of the benefits of my new role, I was given a company car, with free mileage, paid gas, etc.
The car is a premium hatchback , and I was pretty excited about the car prior to moving here. I now have had the car (and the job) for 3 months now, and the car is honestly awful. Turns out the car was 3 years old when I got it, and it had all kinds of issues, late on service, scratched exterior, weird noises, sketchy clutch, you name it. The company pays all expenses for repairs, etc., but having been to the garage 3 times already, and having 1-2 more appointments in the scope is rather absurd. It has come so far that I use my private car (imported when I moved here) for business as well. And honestly the insurance deductibles are shite, and I am not covered if I should run a red light or similar
Before people post comments saying that I should be thankful that I have a car, and that I sound like a spoilt child, I would like to point out that the car is part of my salary, and a significant part of my work is driving to customers in Switzerland.
The company seems to have no interest in changing my car before the lease runs out in 1 year. I would also like to have a larger car, but I am well aware that I can't expect the company to pay for this.
So I had a thought - I could ask them to increase my salary, and in return I would lease my own car. Yes, I would put a financial risk on myself, but in return I could have a car that could actually fit a family and a dog. In a Swiss context, do you think it would be too radical of an idea, or even a possibility? Any ideas on how to tackle this and bring up the issue with my employer?
What’s in it for the company? They have to pay you a higher salary, more in pension cost plus social security and are stuck with the lease car.... Can’t see them being happy with your idea.
The OP could ask for a car allowance that is equal to the lease car cost. It wouldn't be a salary component and not much of an additional cost for the employer.
Back to the company the car, late services and paint scratches do no affect how it works. However, the clutch looks like a serious failure. What if you cannot climb an incline in a stop light, go in reverse and hit the car behind? That makes the car unsafe. I ignore your employment terms but there might be something in the terms that says that you must check the car is safe to operate before leaving the car parking. I'd say a clutch with problems makes the car unfit to drive.
My impression is that you have to play by the rules, tell the car doesn't work and get a working one.
The negotiation for a larger one.....well, what can a bunch of strangers in an online forum can know about the specific environment and relationships among people at your job?
Company could give a car allowance but they are stuck with the car for a year so likely not happy and also, you would pay tax on it like if it was income. All in all if you are going to have a car anyway, stick with the car and big them until they give you a proper one.
And perhaps use the fact that it makes you look bad at the customer Vs that you need it for family and dog - that may have more effect.
As someone with a company car, I can simply request a new one (either pick it up, or they drop it off for me) if something is wrong with the current one (4 year lease).
Had an elderly man back their vehicle into my door a few years back, and after a few calls, the shop doing repairs simply gave me another car for the duration of the repairs.
Granted, if you've got issues every month with your car, it sounds like a lemon, and then speaking with your fleet manager about other options may be in order.
For new employees at my company, you do indeed receive something that a previous person left when they changed roles or took an opportunity elsewhere. So I know a few colleagues that have been asked to keep a current fleet vehicle prior to ordering a new one.
As mentioned by some here, there can be the good and the bad, a clutch letting go on an uphill road is bad of course. Can you wait it out, and can you order a new one? I was approached by my fleet manager to request a new car nearly 9 months before the current one ends its lease due to shortage on goods. If for whatever reason you get the new vehicle early, it may dampen the sour taste...