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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

expatinscotland · 04/04/2017 14:56

Tell them you no longer have a car.

kaitlinktm · 04/04/2017 14:56

No, they don't. It used to be the case they'd give you £2 but now they don't as "supposedly" we get petrol money

I don't understand how they think then - you are getting the "petrol money" to cover the extra mileage you do to pick them up - not to cover your own journey, so you are paying for your own commute whilst they travel free - how is that fair?

BarbaraofSeville · 04/04/2017 15:02

Dog Your DP needs to stop waiting for Pisstaker B. We used to have a lodger and I was stupid enough to offer him a lift to work as I drove past the end of the road where his work was on the way to mine.

However, I needed to leave by a certain time to get to work on time and he was never ready even though I had made it clear what time I went.

I just kept repeating 'I have to be gone before 7.30 am, if you are not walking out of the door and getting in the car at the same time as me, I can't wait. And I didn't and he had to get himself to work.

I'm not a horrible person, I just can't be doing with running round after adults and treating them like children.

Highmaintenancefemalestuff · 04/04/2017 15:03

I work in home care and don't drive. I was originally taken on to do my area, walking distance. They eventually decided to double me up. I've always made my own arrangements to get to the first call because I hate relying on other carers. The last call is around the corner from my house, 2 minute walk. I hope one day I find the confidence to drive.
Most of ours make sure to tell any drivers they need to find their own way to the first call, which is fair enough, everyone else has to make their own way to work and lifts should not be expected but I think it's fine to accept if someone offers.

willitbe · 04/04/2017 15:08

Have you seriously checked your car insurance.

As people have already said, most car insurance policies do not include cover for transporting colleagues. The time between your last duty stop and dropping off your colleague will not be covered by insurance, likewise you going on route to pick them up. If an accident were to occur your insurance could very well be invalidated, unless you have special car insurance covering you for work purposes (and I don't mean the normal travel to and from place of work). Please check with your car insurance company.

bimbobaggins · 04/04/2017 15:12

dog, why doesn't your dh just say he is no longer doing lifts. The woman is a major piss taker and I certainly wouldn't be sitting outside anyone's house waiting for them when I am already doing them a favour. There really is no end to some people's cheek.

Op I'd go down the car insurance route as others have said. You need to nip this in the bud

liquidrevolution · 04/04/2017 15:15

Are you asking the people you collect for a contribution? Explain the situation and say its a flat £5 cost for the door to door taxi service you provide for them to work.

Not ideal but less of an annoyance for you,

Doglikeafox · 04/04/2017 15:16

I know
DP has social anxiety and really can't say something. I rang him the other day whilst he was in the car with her (it comes through the car's speaker) and quite clearly said I wished he wouldn't be so generous to offer so many lifts as I needed him home but she apparently said nothing and acted like it hadn't happened.

londonrach · 04/04/2017 15:17

Dog..dh neds to tell them he cant do it after this week. Last day ths friday giving them time to sort out transport

titchy · 04/04/2017 15:19

Seriously - just tell them your car has broken down but you'll still be available because dp/neighbour/great aunt Maude can drop you off and pick you up in their 2 seater Smart car.

titchy · 04/04/2017 15:20

If they're that desperate they're hardly going to sack you.

Original poster

katherinealice · 04/04/2017 15:23

They won't sack me just won't give me many hours.

OP posts:

DingDongtheWitchIsDangDiddlyDe · 04/04/2017 15:26

If they give you less hours, they are even more short staffed.
I think you aren't willing to even say anything so you really should stop moaning about it.

Original poster

katherinealice · 04/04/2017 15:35

But complaining to my MP doesn't count I think you just want to be rude (it was you who made the peasant comment wasn't it?)

OP posts:

YogaDrone · 04/04/2017 15:45

It seems strange that the company would give you fewer shifts when they are so desperate for staff they are hiring people who can't/won't drive.

Does the company have an HR department you could raise the issue with? Also, I'd suggest you start making a note of exactly how long (in terms of time) and how far the extra journeys are taking you so that when you speak to HR or Management you have a week or two of solid facts to back you up.

Care companies are being highlighted for not paying their staff minimum wage already so if you are spending longer than your allocated travel time then they could be at risk of paying under minimum wage, which is illegal.

helpimitchy · 04/04/2017 15:46

OP, you need to tell them that your car insurance doesn't cover these lifts and the cost of extending your insurance to cover them is just too much. You're a carer not a taxi driver.

LadyPW · 04/04/2017 15:49

But complaining to your MP is pointless. It's not the sort of issue they could be expected to help with. It's a bit like saying 'my boss always eats stinky sandwiches' or 'I always have to unload the office dishwasher'. It's a work thing.
You can either tell your colleagues you can't help (the obvious solution because it is their responsibility to get themselves to work), or you can tell your bosses, or you can do nothing and be pissed off. It really is up to you. You've been given loads of ideas, now implement something. We can't do it for you.

SomethingBorrowed · 04/04/2017 17:54

Not your colleagues fault!
You don't know what they were told at their interview or later on.
Bring it up with the manager if you are unhappy about it.

mylittlephoney · 04/04/2017 18:34

Fuck. I didn't know that. I am literally on a double shift now. I'm expected to pick her up 5 miles from where i live and 3 miles to the clients house. And back again at 10pm tonight. Shit shit shit. Going to have to call my insurers tomorrow or not be available for doubles. Bollocks. Thanks for bringing to my attention.

Chocolateteabag · 04/04/2017 19:19

OP - did you see/read toomuchtvandsocialmedia 's post??

Tell your employer your car insurance doesn't cover you for car shares

Then if they grumble - say that you thought you'd better check after hearing about someone else giving colleagues lifts

If this is a problem then you'll have to change insurers but this will come at a price

ie - it's not that you don't want to help - but....

Chocolateteabag · 04/04/2017 19:22

as in you have your excuse right there - you are invalidating your car insurance.

If they call your bluff and say they'll pay you to upgrade it - then you can call and check with your insurance company.

HecateAntaia · 04/04/2017 19:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SingingSilver · 04/04/2017 19:34

Please tell me the people you pick up give you petrol money too, considering that you're saving them from having to get public transport?

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