Card rules change

New rules for BBC issued chargecards have been introduced after repeated complaints.

The new rules include:

• Liability for paying off the cards is now shared between individuals and the BBC
• Financial penalties for late payment have been scrapped
• Staff credit records will not be affected by any problems in the management of their BBC chargecards.

By the beginning of April 2003 all staff with Company Barclaycards issued by the BBC should have received new application forms for a transfer of existing cards onto the new rules.

If balances on the new cards remain unpaid for more than 90 days, the BBC will settle the bill and deduct the amount owed from the individuals salary.

One new restriction on cards is a complete ban on using them for individual expenditure. Personal use is not allowed, and could be treated as a disciplinary offence, according to the BBC.