Stuck in the middle of nowhere...appropriate to use work credit card?

[Anonymous]

I have been traveling around the country for 2 weeks. I'm 300 miles from home and stopped to get gas...only to have my debit card declined at the gas pump. Apparently I used my card at a store that had some sort of security breach. My bank canceled my card as a precaution. They sent a notice to my home...but I didn't get it, as I've been out of state.
I have no cash, no credit card of my own (I live debt-free) and Western Union doesn't open here until 10am. My employers gave me a credit card for work purposes. Would it be weird or out of line for me to ask permission to use the card to put gas in my car to get home?
I've been with them for a year and a half and we have a fantastic relationship.
It's that or hang out in McDonalds or in my car for the next 11.5 hours.
I can pay them back as soon as I get home. Please be nice-I have plenty of money for my trip.. I just ran into a road-block (haha!).
MBs-would you be ok with your nanny asking this?

[Anonymous]

I would be happy to let you use the credit card. As long as there is a trusting relationship I don't see a problem and I would feel horrible if our nanny sat at mcdonalds all night knowing in could have helped. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny but I would ask. I'm sure MB wouldn't want you stranded. I would think its ok if you didn't rack up an insane amount and paid them back ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Thank you PPs. I decided to call and MB was so insistent that I use the card. She even told me not to worry about paying them back, but of course I will. I'm relieved!

[Anonymous]

Why didn't you have cash on you?

FYI, I also live debt free, yet still use credit cards. I pay them off in full each month. You should reconsider not having credit cards - they help you build credit.

[Anonymous]

MB here - I'd be fine with this, and I'd be glad you had the option of the extra card for an emergency! Glad your MB reacted the same way.

I wouldn't have minded if you had gone ahead and used it without asking, but the fact that you called before using it speaks really well of you.

Hope you get your card sorted out. I've had similar hassles and got a second credit card to have for just this reason.

[Anonymous]

I have a corporate card and this kind of use is specifically prohibited. I'm not sure why you would want to risk your job in this way. I'm also an MB and wouldn't be ok with it - and it would make me question if you were responsible enough to take care of my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a corporate card and this kind of use is specifically prohibited. I'm not sure why you would want to risk your job in this way. I'm also an MB and wouldn't be ok with it - and it would make me question if you were responsible enough to take care of my child.

Me too. And I oversee all the staff in our organization who have corporate cards.

If any long and securely tenured employee of mine, who had built up a working relationship of trust and reliability, was in an emergency situation and had to use the corporate card I would ok it immediately. I would also be fine with it if it wasn't possible to obtain an ok before use but a promise of immediate repayment was given. I care about my staff and their safety would come before any use policy. Does this apply for purchase of jewelry on a whim - no? But for gas or transportation when no other option is available? Sure. I'm ok with that.

If an employee reneged then you take the amount of repayment out of their next paycheck(s) and either dismiss them or put them on probation. There is recourse for abuse.

Emergencies happen. I would hope any employer would be compassionate and any employee would be trustworthy. The world is built by and for humans after all - not the sanctity of any particular policy. Treat people how you would wish to be treated, expect the best and prepare for the worst.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone!
I'm really glad it worked out. I made it home late last night.
I'm planning to head to work soon to drop off the money I put on the card.
I had been travelling with a bit of cash, but hadn't been able to get to an ATM yesterday (it wouldn't have worked anyway). As for a credit card, I have a CC with a local gas station chain and a line of credit with a local store.
I don't have a traditional credit card. I made some bad financial choices as an 18 year-old and have managed to dig myself out of it and now have great credit. I don't want to tempt myself with a regular card. My two lines of credit keep my score raised.
Thank you everyone!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a corporate card and this kind of use is specifically prohibited. I'm not sure why you would want to risk your job in this way. I'm also an MB and wouldn't be ok with it - and it would make me question if you were responsible enough to take care of my child.

I guess it is a good thing I don't work for you. You'd rather have your nanny make a risky choice, like staying in her car overnight than to ask to use a credit card? That says way more about your nanny's responsibilty than if her bank canceled her card unknowingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a corporate card and this kind of use is specifically prohibited. I'm not sure why you would want to risk your job in this way. I'm also an MB and wouldn't be ok with it - and it would make me question if you were responsible enough to take care of my child.

I guess it is a good thing I don't work for you. You'd rather have your nanny make a risky choice, like staying in her car overnight than to ask to use a credit card? That says way more about your nanny's responsibilty than if her bank canceled her card unknowingly.

It's irresponsible to not have a backup card. Solely having a debit card shows poor decision making.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a corporate card and this kind of use is specifically prohibited. I'm not sure why you would want to risk your job in this way. I'm also an MB and wouldn't be ok with it - and it would make me question if you were responsible enough to take care of my child.

I guess it is a good thing I don't work for you. You'd rather have your nanny make a risky choice, like staying in her car overnight than to ask to use a credit card? That says way more about your nanny's responsibilty than if her bank canceled her card unknowingly.

It's irresponsible to not have a backup card. Solely having a debit card shows poor decision making.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a corporate card and this kind of use is specifically prohibited. I'm not sure why you would want to risk your job in this way. I'm also an MB and wouldn't be ok with it - and it would make me question if you were responsible enough to take care of my child.

I guess it is a good thing I don't work for you. You'd rather have your nanny make a risky choice, like staying in her car overnight than to ask to use a credit card? That says way more about your nanny's responsibilty than if her bank canceled her card unknowingly.

It's irresponsible to not have a backup card. Solely having a debit card shows poor decision making.

I suppose it was a possibility that my employers could have reacted the way you would in my situation. Fortunately they didn't.
This has zero to do with my judgement or sense of responsibility. I'd step in front of a train for my charge and my MB/DB know that.
Have a great week folks! I'm going to take a nap!

[Anonymous]

I'm glad your family was understanding. Of all the families I worked for I can't think of one who would deny my request if I were in similar circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been traveling around the country for 2 weeks. I'm 300 miles from home and stopped to get gas...only to have my debit card declined at the gas pump. Apparently I used my card at a store that had some sort of security breach. My bank canceled my card as a precaution. They sent a notice to my home...but I didn't get it, as I've been out of state.
I have no cash, no credit card of my own (I live debt-free) and Western Union doesn't open here until 10am. My employers gave me a credit card for work purposes. Would it be weird or out of line for me to ask permission to use the card to put gas in my car to get home?
I've been with them for a year and a half and we have a fantastic relationship.
It's that or hang out in McDonalds or in my car for the next 11.5 hours.
I can pay them back as soon as I get home. Please be nice-I have plenty of money for my trip.. I just ran into a road-block (haha!).
MBs-would you be ok with your nanny asking this?

Not sure how old you are but traveling around on a roadtrip with only one debit or credit card without first notifying your bank is absolutely asking for it to be turned off. It looks like unusual, fraudulent activity, and they do not "cancel" your card because of that, they put a "hold" on it and call and email you. They do not mail you a letter. You get a voicemail a day.

Please update your contact info with your financial institutions and please pay back your employer immediately via check in the mail tomorrow.

If you were my nanny or office employee I'd think you were a dunce.
Maybe if you were 21 I'd rack it up as a "learning the hard way" episode, but I would question your common sense and judgment. On vacation the week before Xmas? interesting as well.