Instructed Not To Drive In Snowy Conditions

[Tannedbaldhead]

Was up at the crack of dawn today to get an early start in to work anticipating lots of snow related delays.
I was stopped in my tracks by a phone call from the regional manager to say that as Police "do not make unnecessary journey warnings" have been issued if company cars and vans move today they do so at the driver's own risk. ie anyone who has a bump pays for their own damage. He then went on to say if we don't work we don't get paid.
Now I was quite happy to haul my ass out in this risking life and limb should my luck run out on the slippy stuff. Am pissed off that should I end up dodgem driving subsequent damages are footed from my pocket.
Is this fair.

[hyphen]

What do you do, what type of employment contract is it?

[Tannedbaldhead]

Surveyor. Full time employee.

[thebraketester]

The journey ‘is’ necessary because if you don’t make it you won’t get paid.

[JamesNotJim]

As a surveyor myself. I wouldn’t want to work is this anyways. If it’s not the van at risk. Your gear is at risk (which costs ALOT more than a company vehicle)
Are Work paying you for today?

[Robertj21a]

Tannedbaldhead said:

Surveyor. Full time employee.

In which case I'd get the company to confirm their instruction in writing.

[Tannedbaldhead]

JamesNotJim said:

As a surveyor myself. I wouldn’t want to work is this anyways. If it’s not the van at risk. Your gear is at risk (which costs ALOT more than a company vehicle)
Are Work paying you for today?

Are they hell.

[55palfers]

Define "unnecessary"

[Dan_1981]

Tannedbaldhead said:

JamesNotJim said:

As a surveyor myself. I wouldn’t want to work is this anyways. If it’s not the van at risk. Your gear is at risk (which costs ALOT more than a company vehicle)
Are Work paying you for today?

Are they hell.

Assuming you are meant to be site based and completing surveys?

I'd drive to the office maybe even in my own car. And sit at a desk all day - they have to pay you as you're at work and you've not put he van at risk.

[Gretchen]

Take a taxi for the day, claim it on expenses

[JamesNotJim]

Tannedbaldhead said:

Are they hell.

Now that’s naughty.
So they don’t want you to drive company vehicles unless you accept liability, but aren’t willing to pay for a forced day off.
Any work you could do from home?

[GT03ROB]

JamesNotJim said:

Tannedbaldhead said:

Are they hell.

Now that’s naughty.
So they don’t want you to drive company vehicles unless you accept liability, but aren’t willing to pay for a forced day off.
Any work you could do from home?

Don't know the legalities of it, but have to agree, very naughty.

[hondafanatic]

Tannedbaldhead said:

JamesNotJim said:

As a surveyor myself. I wouldn’t want to work is this anyways. If it’s not the van at risk. Your gear is at risk (which costs ALOT more than a company vehicle)
Are Work paying you for today?

Are they hell.

I've no idea why a company would take that attitude with it's employees. Seems very shortsighted and unlikely to instil loyalty to the company.

[Wacky Racer]

I'd be very pissed off by this, and looking to move to a new company.

Anyway, any damage would be covered by the insurance company, they don't say "We won't pay out if you drive in bad weather"

[NDA]

You're a full time employee? It seems odd that they can do this.

I had to close the office once due to flooding - everyone got paid.

I'm a bit stumped for an answer I'm afraid.

[AllyBassman]

Very naughty and empty threats i'd say.

If it were me, i'd go to work as normal.

[hyphen]

And then apply for jobs elsewhere, as company and/or manager seem terrible to work for.

[Sheepshanks]

AllyBassman said:

Very naughty and empty threats i'd say.

One job I had I was presented with a form to sign on the first day saying I'd pay the insurance excess of £1000 for any at fault accident. I signed under protest but took advice that it would be un-enforceable.

In practice if your face fitted they didn't make you pay.

[Far Cough]

Just tell him you went to work but the journey time was greatly exaggerated due to the conditions and you didn't get as much done as you`d hoped ???? Will he be able to prove otherwise ??

[Rick101]

Sounds like a joker company.

Quite right advising you not to drive if it's risky.
Not paying you for following their instruction. Laughable.