To say no to this work request?

[Sallythecat]

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

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

Taxis drop off kids with no chaperone all the time. As long as all the checks are done, there is no safeguarding issue.

@BoredZelda have you read my replies?

@CornishTiger yes you are right, different rules, different countries. Not permitted here in Ireland if driving a 'work vehicle'. Will there be a member of staff also with you OP? How many children are you talking about?

have you read my replies

Yes, my response was to the person who I quoted, not to you.

With regards to the £300, it certainly isn't uncommon for the driver to be liable for the excess. It certainly is where I work, and I am pretty certain that it's the same with the other half.

The only way companies can get reasonable insurance is to have a large-ish excess.

Presumably you have to reverse out of the long drive onto a road... isn't that against the highway code?

At the very least I would be sorely tempted to say that -

(1) You will not reverse onto a road

(2) You will not reverse into a nursery drive without someone to guide you, not least because you don't want to kill a toddler.

(3) You will never park the van illegally because you can't afford to EVER pay a ticket and that as a result you will need to leave the nursery an hour before school pick-up, or you'll need the school to know you might be very late for pick-up due to looking for a space.