California employee-Can my employer have me deduct miles from driving because I don't have a "normal" job site

Question

My employer (retailer based out on the East Coast) just changed it's mileage reimbursement policy. It says for someone who does not have a store assigned and travels on a daily basis, he/she is required to deduct 35 miles each day to compensate for commuting mileage. My concern is that while I travel daily and do not have a "regular" location, my travel between the stores I support will not be reimbursed because they are in close proximity to one another (specifically in the more populated area.) Is this legal for the state of California? Can they require me to deduct 35 miles every day simply for commuting mileage?

Answer 1

It seems like it may be okay, but you should check with the California Department of Industrial Relations.

What is your commute to one store?  If it is less than the 35 miles, you should see if you can negotiate to have that considered your "home" store and then get reimbursed for all travel between that "home" store and the other stores.

See:

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/2802Regs/2802...