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What I don't understand is that back in the day when I was training one of my first purchases was a veichle to suit the job. Isnt a van part of a builder/trades/landscapers toolkit. If not then we always used to question the seriousness of the person involved. To be honest if he hasn't got basic tools then id be invlined to think about the old heave-ho, a little harsh , but why should your life be even harder by someone that your giving a wage to, there was a time when people were obliging and respectful to an employer.....I must be getting old..
A couple of questions spring to mind to consider....
1/ is he a true contracted employee (or self employed) ?
2/ is he insured to carry tools and use his vehicle for business class 1/2 use?
3/ do you pay him mileage allowance ?
4/ is there an underlying staff relationship issue ?
Hi Gary -
To answer your points -
- He is a true employee yes, not self employed
- I don't know about insurance for tools carried but given he drives to and from his place of work on a regular basis (albeit different sites) he should have included that type of business use on his insurance anyway I would have thought.
- No I don't pay mileage allowance as its only to and from place of work. If on occasion I do ask my other employee to drop something off or collect something on an adhoc basis, I give them a contribution towards fuel costs from time to time
- Unfortunately / fortunately the chap involved is also a friend living in the same village as me and yes we certainly have our ups and downs. On balance I prefer to have him as an employee rather than not, as his good points outweigh the occasional difficulties.
Interesting point that Steve makes that anyone serious about working in the trade should have a suitable vehicle. I've thought about buying a second vehicle myself for others to use but really don't think it is cost justified at the moment but it is something I revisit from time to time. If we have a 10 day job, the van is only really needed on days 1 and 10 on a lot of jobs.
Intersting point does your employee have business insurance on his vehicle? as it states personal insurance on a car cover you to travel to your perment place of work and if your tools get pinched from his vehicle are you covered always seems a bit strange to me when a trade man turns up in a private car to do work and not very professional. not sure what others think. Is it not time to get a second works van?
I was more 'thinking aloud' as to what the issues could be (not sure of the answer tho :-)
Clearly one of these aspects, or something similar, is behind his reticent.
Perhaps offer the occasional 'car valet' put thru as a legit business expense ?
Re: Insurance, it is likely he has SD&P inc Commuting to a fixed place of work. Variable locations and carrying tools of the trade would not typically be covered.
Ultimately, especially if you grow, if you are likely to run concurrent jobs, perhaps a second small van needs to be looked at ?
Steve Morris said:
We run with 4 including me. I think it unreasonable to expect an employee to use their car other than to get to and fro work place. By having them transport tools in their car means they are in a way subsidising your business. These are the joys of expansion, the more employees, the more 'running around' servicing them you will have - or you bite the bullet and buy a cheap van.
We ran just one vehicle for years and it got to the exact stage you are at now Steve, so I bought a cheap van to run alongside our truck, solves a lot of problems and when you weigh up the savings in your time alone(and I bet you are the most productive!)a second vehicle is a must. You won't regret it.
Agree with Colin. We never allow our guys to commute to a site. We all meet at the yard and use company vans to go to site. Its their responsibility to get to our yard on time, then no excuses, no issues over mileage or working hours.
Maybe you're starting to experience growing pains...;-)
Colin Hunt said:
When I was an employee and my employed asked me to do runs for whatever reason I always needed to be compensated, either with fuel or time off (example) early that day. Chances are you have got his back up, I know you pay his wages but there has got to be a little give and take.
Either that or buy the second van.
Exactly the same for us. We all meet at the yard each morning and get ready for the day.
Gary RK said:
Doesn't sound sinister in any way to me. The guy has bought a new car, he isn't supplied with a company vehicle, and probably has the real boss at home telling him not to use their new car to carry dirty tools around for his employer!
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