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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To say no to this work request?

31 replies

Sallythecat · 15/09/2021 23:01

Unless they can provide some type of paperwork to say I won't be held responsible for any damage etc...

Background - I work in a small nursery and I've had my driving licence for 4 years. I turned 23 in May which now means I can drive the nursery van for school pick ups/drop offs if needs be. Recently my manager asked if I could start helping out which I initially said yes to, but after hearing that an ex staff member once had to pay over £300 in damage costs, it has really worried me. Clearly I'm not planning on driving the van into a wall or anything. I'm a sensible driver, especially when kids are in the vehicle but the nursery drive is pretty narrow and I would have to reverse all the way back every single time.

I spoke to my manager about it who reassured me that they have insurance for this type of stuff, but it still doesn't explain why an ex employee would have to pay for any damage. She did say I would have to pay for any parking tickets as it's my responsibility to park legally, which I think is fair but the insurance issue is still concerning me. Perhaps I'm worrying for no reason, but I only earn minimum wage and can't really afford to pay for any damage costs if something goes wrong. What would happen if someone drove into the van, they drove off and I didn't get a chance to catch their number plate. Would I be held responsible for the costs? I can barely afford to pay for my own car let alone someone else's.

I'm more than happy to drive the van and I'm sure with practice I will be fine, but WIBU to say I won't do it unless they can provide some type of paperwork to say I won't be held responsible for any damage etc?

Thank you

OP posts:

Original poster

Sallythecat · 15/09/2021 23:04

I did say before that I think it's fair in regards to the parking tickets, but I'm actually not sure now. There are 3 primary schools that we have to pick up/drop off from and the parking is terrible. What happens if there are no parking spaces and the kids are waiting to be picked up...

OP posts:

Doyoumind · 15/09/2021 23:04

Perhaps it was the excess that had to be paid, or they didn't claim on the insurance to avoid the premium going up so the person who damaged it had to pay. I would get confirmation in writing that you wouldn't be liable for any costs rather than relying on anything you are told verbally.

Halo1234 · 15/09/2021 23:08

Thats what insurance is for. Even being the most sensible driver in the world accidents can happen. Hence we are all insured. I think its reasonable to ask for it in writing that your are not liable. Especially given the history with the other employee. I assume someone else is there to pick up too? In the event on no parking could they not get the kids.

negomi90 · 15/09/2021 23:09

As @Doyoumind said. You need confirmation in writing, that they have insurance, that you are covered on it, that nursery will pay for any excess in all circumstances (baring parking and speeding tickets which you can pay) and that petrol will always be reinbursed.
No documented promise that you can't be liable for costs, no driving.

parietal · 15/09/2021 23:10

I agree you should get it in writing.

do they give extra training for driving the van? I drove a minibus for a charity & they gave 2hrs extra training with a driving instructor on that vehicle to give us confidence too.

Original poster

Sallythecat · 15/09/2021 23:15

Thank you, I will definitely ask for something in writing then. That's a good question @parietal, I haven't actually asked that yet.

OP posts:

Fraine · 15/09/2021 23:19

I can’t believe they made an employee pay £300. It would make me very wary pf saying yes to this. What happens if you clip the car and they ask you to pay the excess and they get shirty with you for saying no and make your job hell?

simitra · 15/09/2021 23:22

I would be asking for financial recognition of what is, in effect, greater responsibility because it requires a particular skill. If you worked as a shelf filler in a warehouse and were upgraded to drive the fork lift truck because you had the training would you not expect your pay to reflect it?

xaphan77 · 15/09/2021 23:27

If you have an accident whilst driving the works vehicle, even if the school pay the excess etc you will still have been involved in an accident so will effect your own personal insurance premiums. Just worth considering also.

thumpingrug · 15/09/2021 23:28

I suspect that the employee who had to pay the £300 was responsible for what happened and as a consequence the insurance did not cover the full cost. Of course you will be responsible for any fine if you park illegally, just because you are collecting children does not give you a right to break the law.

8dpwoah · 15/09/2021 23:29

I've seen colleagues have to pay speeding fines for use of minibuses (not speeding outrageously but speeding nonetheless) but I think that fits in with laying parking fines if you choose to park somewhere you know you can't.

Agree with the others, get it in writing that the insurance covers staff for accidental.damage caused by and to them.

Also check your driving licence allows you to carry the amount of passengers that there are seats in the van (even if they're not all in use), I don't know the rules but I know there are some!

Original poster

Sallythecat · 15/09/2021 23:32

That's interesting. I never knew that thank you @xaphan77

@thumpingrug of course picking up kids doesn't give someone a reason to break the law. I know that, but I'm concerned that parking could be a nightmare outside busy schools. Sometimes staff go on there own as It depends on how many children are being picked up.

OP posts:

TwoLeftElbows · 15/09/2021 23:34

I think you're being extremely sensible, and you're right to be very wary.

It's a completely reasonable request for you to make. If they won't provide the paperwork, why not? Perhaps because they don't want to accept risks that they are tacitly asking you to take on - ie they'll be proving you right.

Homemadearmy · 15/09/2021 23:37

Can you drive a van on your driving license, I know on newer ones you can no longer drive larger vehicles.

Feelingoktoday · 15/09/2021 23:39

My local nursery rents a drive near to the local schools and parks there. Could your nursery do this? Otherwise you will need to ensure that you get to the school early to get a space. As someone else pointed out this is additional responsibility and you should get paid a premium for it.

trappistkepler · 15/09/2021 23:41

Not in the UK, but a standard car licence here in Ireland would not cover you to drive a works vehicle and there is also a limit on passengers. A quick google suggests similar in the uk. What category is on your driving licence?

trappistkepler · 15/09/2021 23:42

If you are not licensed for a minibus/van you are not insured.

KrisAkabusi · 15/09/2021 23:43

@Sallythecat

That doesn't give you the right to park illegally! In almost any company in the country you would be responsible for your own fines. They should also be keeping a log of who was driving and when so that fixed penalty notices and licence points can be applied to the right person.

WorraLiberty · 15/09/2021 23:47

@Sallythecat

What happens if there are no parking spaces and the kids are waiting to be picked up...

If being late or parking illegally are your only choices, you'll have to be late.

Parking restrictions around schools are generally to keep children and families safe.

Original poster

Sallythecat · 15/09/2021 23:49

I have no idea what's on my driving licence, I'd need to pull it out and have a look. It's a transit van that the nursery use. @KrisAkabusi as I said before, I know that it doesn't give me the right to park illegally. I was just giving an example as to why I'm concerned about taking the responsibility on...

I doubt I will be paid extra either. They pay us minimum wage for a reason...

OP posts:

KrisAkabusi · 15/09/2021 23:51

@trappistkepler

Yes it does! Unless you are specifically talking about a minibus, of course you can drive a work car or van on a standard car license.

8dpwoah · 16/09/2021 00:06

I also wouldn't ever drive it alone- that's a massive safeguarding policy red flag right there. I used to drop kids home for various reasons in a work vehicle and absolutely HAD to have a second adult with me even if it was site staff or someone from the office, it didn't matter what their role was but there had to be someone or you didn't get the keys to the vehicle. It preferably had to be someone who could also drive the vehicle if need be so non- drivers only came on the really short/easy runs.

trappistkepler · 16/09/2021 00:12

@KrisAkabusi, I know that; surely the children are not being piled into a work van? It sounds like a minibus? But Op you would have to confirm what type of vehicle it is? How many children? If it's just a hiace type job , how are they all suitably restrained?!

BoredZelda · 16/09/2021 00:18

What happens if there are no parking spaces and the kids are waiting to be picked up...

Then you do what the rest of us do and park further away or wait for a space to become, available. You don’t just illegally park.

CornishTiger · 16/09/2021 00:20

Anyone with a normal licence can drive a minibus with up to 12 seats. For people who passed their test and got their driving licence before 1 January 1997, you are likely to have a Category D1 licence. As you haven’t you’d need to pass a test if more than 12 seats.

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