Work want to charge for accidents.

fozzy

fozzy

fozzy

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I wasn't sure were to put this, so I thought I'd try here.

I work for a small company who employ approximately 300 people nationwide. This includes around 30/40 7.5T drivers and 4 HGV class 1 drivers. I work nights driving a class 1, usually double manned because of the work involved. I went into work last night and received my pay packet, and attached to this was a small letter regarding a new rule on their accident policy. I'll have to copy it out because my scanner hasn't worked since going to Vista.........


To all staff.

RE: Changes to accident re-charges for drivers

Due to recent increases in our insurance premiums, with immediate effect the following charges are to be introduced. For any accidents for which you are responsible, which includes both the vehicle you are driving and the third party vehicle, you will be liable for the cost of the repair as follows:

First offence: up to £500
Second offence: up to £750
Third and subsequent offences: up to £1000

All accidents which are not reported within 48 hours will incur a penalty of £500 in addition to the repair charges. The charges will be taken direct from payroll, this may be taken over a period of months should you prefer.

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Regards bla bla bla.



I've only ever worked in the past for large company's and this is the first time I've ever heard of any thing like this before. Does anybody know if they are entitled to do this?
 
Just from the fact that they've done it I'd say that they were entitled to, as there'll be clauses in the contracts of employment that they can 'reasonably alter expenses policies where they see fit' etc. I'd be amazed if they'd done something like this without checking it over first.

However I'd be pretty peeved. Just don't crash I guess.
 
Had company cars for 15 years and this was always the rule although you normally get 1 free and fee increases (500/750/1000) on each crash but tbh yer gonna have to be a pretty poor driver to keep having own fault accidents.

Only had 1-2 minor dings in my 15 years so never had any charges but a fellow engineer had a huge bill (about 12 crashes none of which he informed fleet about )

Persil
 
It depends on the contract but I imagine this is perfectly reasonable.

I used to work for a company that had quite a few vans and the people driving them just couldnt care less, cost a fortune...
 
The company I work for have much the same, I dont think any laws are being broken. Its a bit unfortunate but insurance is obviously hurting a lot of big companies.
 
At the end of the day if you dont respect the property you've been trusted with, like so many people I've heard about then I think its only fair you should need to pay for it.
 
I've been driving professionally for 7 years now and never had these types of charges in my contract. Accidents do happen as they do in every job, I could understand if a driver was regularly wrecking havoc on the roads but it seems a bit extreme to get charged £500 for a first offence.

BTW this is a change to your contract that you have not signed up to, id be getting in touch with labour relations or your union before agreeing to anything.
 
This sounds wrong to my mind (but is probably legal) - as an example, if you have an at fault accident with my employers, generally, you lose your driver bonus (around £50 depending on which contract you work on) if its more serious i.e. dangerous driving / careless driving / negligence, then your more than likely going to simply get sacked - and quite right imo.
 
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Thanks for the replys. :)

@ R420, this is how it has worked at every other place I've worked. I've been driving for 18 years now, 14 of those with a class 1 and I've never had an accident yet *Touch wood* As far as I'm aware, all of the accidents are occurring with the lads who drive the 7.5's You know the type...More drops than Santa. ;)

Any how, looks like I had better be extra, extra careful from now on!
 
fozzy said:
As far as I'm aware, all of the accidents are occurring with the lads who drive the 7.5's You know the type...More drops than Santa. ;)

Any how, looks like I had better be extra, extra careful from now on!
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How many of them didn't have to do an extra test? From the outside I've always got the impression driving 7.5t is the arse end of the haulage industry.

I've been in the cab of an Iveco, it was like going back 20 years. I think the deskboard might have started life as a Reliant Robin.
 
Bit harsh if you ask me but it may have a Good effect on drivers. Most company's I've heard of that charge the driver for Own fault accidents just kick there Bonus, This is usually enough to get a more responsible driver as the bonus usually covers there tax for the week.
Something does have to be done to kerb irresponsible company drivers as I know myself that I drive like a loony when in a Company vehicle, Kind of a God given right to Thrash the knackers out of either a Hire car or a Company vehicle not worrying if you total it. :o
 
busman said:
I've been driving professionally for 7 years now and never had these types of charges in my contract. Accidents do happen as they do in every job, I could understand if a driver was regularly wrecking havoc on the roads but it seems a bit extreme to get charged £500 for a first offence.

BTW this is a change to your contract that you have not signed up to, id be getting in touch with labour relations or your union before agreeing to anything.
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Except its up to So very minor, a slight scrape would be the cost to fix. (Im guessibng!)
 
Dogbreath said:
Only if the employees or their representative body agree to the contractual changes.
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I'm a fleet risk manger and I've yet to see anyone overturn the introduction of a penalty system in my 18 years. Of course it may have happened somewhere, somehow, but certainly not on my watch :p
 
merlin said:
I'm a fleet risk manger and I've yet to see anyone overturn the introduction of a penalty system in my 18 years. Of course it may have happened somewhere, somehow, but certainly not on my watch :p
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It's a change to employees contracts, so standard employment law would apply. Good opportunity to get out with some cash if you have worked there for a couple of years or more and got your eye on another job...though it's an increasingly unlikely situation these days.
 
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