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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder why the HELL you'd apply for a job involving driving, when you can't drive?

98 replies

katherinealice · 04/04/2017 13:20

I'm so annoyed as this is putting me in a really unfair position. Repeatedly I am being paired up with non drivers, and work anti social hours when there's no public transport. So I am expected to pick them up & drop off? AIBU to think this takes the piss?

OP posts:
LadyPW · 04/04/2017 13:56

Just say that from x date you'll no longer be able to provide lifts due to "a change in personal circumstances" and that they'll need to look into getting taxis instead. And then when the office asks you repeat "a change in personal circumstances". If they query what those circumstances are, you merely say 'sorry they're personal'

WateryTart · 04/04/2017 13:56

Just say you can't afford the extra insurance costs so cannot offer lifts any more.

thatdearoctopus · 04/04/2017 13:57

So you either tell them that non-coverage of the shift is their problem not yours, or that Marie has to make her own way to a mutually-agreeable pick-up point or that they must pay you for your petrol AND extra hours.
Or, if you're not willing to say this, then I'm afraid you'll have to stop complaining about it. That said, I agree it's outrageous.

Original poster
katherinealice · 04/04/2017 13:57

you can dingdong

Or be given no hours/hardly any hours.

OP posts:
SillyMoomin · 04/04/2017 13:58

What if you couldn't drive that day op??

Broken toe / car failed mot / etc something that didn't prelude you from doing your job but did stop you from giving a lift to Marie? What the chuff would work do to penalise her for not getting to work on time??

BarbaraofSeville · 04/04/2017 13:59

Why is driving Marie to and from various jobs seen to be your problem, when it isn't part of your duties and why would you be punished if you don't do it?

Why aren't they punishing Marie for not being able to do all aspects of the job?

DingDongtheWitchIsDangDiddlyDe · 04/04/2017 13:59

But then you have even more reason to be pissed off at the EMPLOYERS, why are you complaining about the other poor saps that work there? .

bignamechangeroonie · 04/04/2017 13:59

It's a zero hours contract - they'd just refuse to give her work

Flowers
LadyPW · 04/04/2017 14:01

Yes but if Marie can't make it in then they'd have to give OP work otherwise there won't be anyone available.... (may be missing point)

jazzandh · 04/04/2017 14:01

Surely if you are one of only a few drivers, being given no hours etc is not in your employer's interest?

You should be in a reasonable position to "negotiate" something mutually agreeable.....

Jaysis · 04/04/2017 14:01

I'd just say it invalidates your insurance.

Original poster
katherinealice · 04/04/2017 14:02

They'd drive themselves - wouldn't be happy but they would. More non drivers than drivers.

OP posts:
thatdearoctopus · 04/04/2017 14:02

If they refuse to give her work on a zero hours contract, then they've got even more of an issue with staffing then, haven't they? I mean, they're saying she has to pick "Marie" up otherwise they're short-staffed. So they're not really in a position to be choosy, are they?
I think the OP has more power here than she thinks.

glueandstick · 04/04/2017 14:03

It's a sticky awful situation.

To the people saying stick up for yourself and the such- the employers care not one jot. They know they can do what they like (legal or otherwise) as the person it affects has no other real choice so won't say anything. They'll get away with it time and time again. It's a shitty shitty situation.

thatdearoctopus · 04/04/2017 14:04

why are you complaining about the other poor saps that work there?

Perhaps the OP might feel a little better about it all if those "poor saps" offered her something for her time and petrol.

DingDongtheWitchIsDangDiddlyDe · 04/04/2017 14:05

They probably can't afford to on min wage zero hours, and are being told by the company that its OP's responsilbility.

Talk about divide and conquer, hey? Have the peasants fight each other instead, genius.

Original poster
katherinealice · 04/04/2017 14:06

Peasants? Confused

How rude.

OP posts:
mickeysminnie · 04/04/2017 14:07

Tell the person that you are giving a lift that you will need to be paid x amount in future if she wants to 'car share'.
If she doesn't want to pay that is her business, if your employer wants you to do it they can pay you instead.

thatdearoctopus · 04/04/2017 14:10

Can't afford to? But the OP, doing the same job for presumably the same wage, is expected to?
And "peasants" is a turn of phrase in this context, not an insult.

JonesyAndTheSalad · 04/04/2017 14:10

You're a carer aren't you OP?

My Mum was too and she had to ferry the others around too at times.

It's because the agencies take ANYONE they can on. They really don't give a shit if someone can drive when push comes to shove.

WorshipTheGourd · 04/04/2017 14:13

I imagine DingDong means that it is wrong of the Company to let the OP / other workers have to sort this out / set them against each other when Co themselves should be either only employing drivers or properly reimbursing OP for time and petrol having checked she is happy to give lifts on that basis.
PLUS I totally believe that they will give disciplinary / reduce hours for OP being 'unhelpful' as they will see it.

Horrible for you OP!

Gunpowder · 04/04/2017 14:16

Hmmm there must be some kind of legislation, even if it's a zero hours contract? If the expectation is that you pick up Marie every week surely that is part of your hours and you have to be paid for it? If your place of work is different each week you should be paid for travel anyway to be honest, but not sure how that fits in with zero hours.

I think it's worth having a conversation with them. If they fire you who will drive Marie etc. then?

glueandstick · 04/04/2017 14:19

There are a million and one people who are 'carers'. As soon as rock the boat they'll just move on to the next person. Legislation or not.

It's very costly and time consuming to start any proceedings which is why they get away with it.

ThePiglet59 · 04/04/2017 14:21

"I mean, no one is forcing a gun to my head but they'd ring the office and say "well I can't get to work" and the office would ring me and say "why aren't you picking Marie up?" and I'd say "it's not fair that blahblahblah" and they'd say "well there's no one to cover the shift if Marie doesn't do it."

Why is that your problem?
If you refused to do it they would put on a mini-bus for the non driving staff, as most other companies do.

While you are doing it for them like a sap they won't bother.
It's your own fault.

Rememberallball · 04/04/2017 14:23

We have a few people come and work for the agency I'm with and they either don't drive or don't have a car. They are expected to get to their calls by themselves (either by bike or on foot) but are given longer gaps than car drivers between calls to allow that it will take longer to get there.

My agency never expect driver carers to 'ferry' their non driving colleagues about as they view it as the non drivers choice to apply for these jobs.

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