Drivers Could Damage Your Business
A recent discussion on social media highlighted the impressions people gain about a business from the driving habits of their van drivers when out and about.
It was started by a mother who highlighted the many times she and her children were put at risk by inconsiderate drivers when they were walking on pavements or using street crossings.
Her final comment was: “when your logo is emblazoned across your vehicle I remember it. I often think I’m going to ring that company and report their driver/driving……… When you drive on our roads you carry the company name and I for one won’t go recommending said company to anyone if you almost turn me and my children into statistics. ”
Her post gathered a number of comments in agreement and some from people who had actually reported drivers to their employers.
Don’t risk your business reputation
What would you do if you received a telephone call from a member of the public reporting such an incident, especially if they ask about your driver’s score on their last risk assessment?
The wrong answer is to admit that your company does not carry out driver risk assessments. The complainant may then report your company to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive).
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act)2 as an employer you have a duty of care not only to safeguard your employees while they are at work. You must also ensure that others are not put at risk by your work-related driving activities.
The same duties apply to self-employed drivers.
The regulations require employers to not only assess the risks to employees involved in any work activities, but also to provide information, instruction, training and supervision, to ensure their safety.
They must also ensure that when they are off site their activities do not put other people at risk.
If a driver is a persistent offender and is frequently out and about on company business the employer may be liable if the driver is involved in an accident.
It is also important to remind people that when they are driving company vehicles that carry the business name and contact details their behaviour reflects on the company’s reputation.
If the volume of posts in the social media discussion is any indication, it wouldn’t be too long before your business reputation also started to suffer and a bad or inconsiderate driver lost you sales.
