Following lengthy discussions regarding driving company vehicles and how best to ensure the safety of our members and at the same time protect their rights to privacy and against disciplinary action, the below document has finally been agreed.
Whilst not fully reaching our aspirations, we have removed many of the areas of concern that was in the original draft
why was this policy agreed without consulting members, when they will be tracking everyone on a 24 hour basis, watch how they are driving and judge whether they need extra courses to help their driving.
Hi Dan,
This is Paul Jackson 07810643681. The policy was discussed for a year or so and went out to all the reps across TfL Engineering and was agreed with them. Obviously, the idea is that they distribute and discuss these matters.
The reality is that we got the worst of the previous policy wiped off. Such as all the things that you’ve mentioned, personal responsibility for tools in the van and excess (ie you pay it) etc. I need to stress this point, this is not a new policy but a revision of an existing one
The monitoring is not done through your company and they have no access to this data. Please see extract from the policy
‘Requests for information will only be considered from those parties that have a legitimate need and reason for it;
The Police or other Investigating Authority
Insurance companies
The driver (Freedom of Information Request)
Investigation through Distribution Services.’
There is also a bigger issue here too. One is to protect our drivers whilst driving from Claims and disciplinary action. But we also have a duty of care to our members health and safety and there have been several deaths over the years. It is not the intention of this policy to punish, but I am only aware of one person that has flagged any issues so far and it was felt that there was no grey area with regards to that case and he was advised and supported on how to drive safely