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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not want to pick up/drop off colleagues?

46 replies

BrumBrumBeepBeep · 23/04/2022 13:09

Hello

I work as a community carer and I am a driver. When calls require 2 carers sometimes I am paired with a colleague who can’t drive. It seems to simply be ‘expected’ that they will be collected and dropped off at home.

For instance today, I am collecting a person who lives the opposite way from me. I then have to go back past my house to our first client then the same afterwards to drop the person back at home.

I don’t get paid for the extra fuel needed, and whilst it may not be much in one single day, it adds up when you do it regularly. Plus I haven’t been paid since Feb as I am new to this company.

So, quite simply, AIBU to not want to play unpaid chauffeur?

OP posts:
Catnuzzle · 23/04/2022 13:11

What happens if your car is in the garage? How would they get to work then? YADNBU

Shoxfordian · 23/04/2022 13:12

Yanbu

Ask them to get to/from your house if they want a lift

Candleabra · 23/04/2022 13:12

YANBU. For this, as in many situations in my own life, I would say: what would happen if I wasn’t here?
How did they all manage to get to work before you started? Perfectly well I would imagine.

Smileandtheworldsmileswithyou · 23/04/2022 13:13

No, I don’t think that’s fair at all. How has it worked in the past with situations like this? Can you talk to your boss quietly and explain that now fuel is so expensive that you can’t do this, and see what they suggest? I would also just be annoyed at the extra journey time for me to get home after a day at work. And the expectation would be annoying too. Do they say thank you for the lift? Seems strange that they just expect you to be happy to chauffeur them around.

Cantbebotheredwithausername · 23/04/2022 13:14

How do your non-driving colleagues make it to their own calls/clients when alone or unable to catch a ride? I assume there is a better plan than expecting someone to simply act as unpaid driver. I have a similar job type, but being able to drive is a job requirement, and if you're unable/unwilling to use your own car (with compensation), my workplace has cars available for us to use.

Original poster
BrumBrumBeepBeep · 23/04/2022 13:16

Catnuzzle · 23/04/2022 13:11

What happens if your car is in the garage? How would they get to work then? YADNBU

They’d be put with another person who can drive.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrumBrumBeepBeep · 23/04/2022 13:23

Cantbebotheredwithausername · 23/04/2022 13:14

How do your non-driving colleagues make it to their own calls/clients when alone or unable to catch a ride? I assume there is a better plan than expecting someone to simply act as unpaid driver. I have a similar job type, but being able to drive is a job requirement, and if you're unable/unwilling to use your own car (with compensation), my workplace has cars available for us to use.

Usually they purely do clients needing 2 carers. If they were to do clients needing single calls, they’d have to walk but all the calls would have to be local to their home address, which sometimes means they may only get 3 calls per round equalling 1.5hrs of work.

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 23/04/2022 13:24

When I had to play chauffeur I was paid to collect and return

linelgreen · 23/04/2022 13:27

Just please make sure you are insured for business use if you are doing this

Regenbogen22 · 23/04/2022 13:31

Can't you just say you're not collecting or dropping off to whomever makes your schedule? Or stipulate that the second person has to get to yours or somewhere on route to the job? What about a bus?!

It's not your fault that others don't drive and therefore would have less work

MagneticRubberDucks · 23/04/2022 13:32

I have a friend who does the same job, she had exactly the same issue as you.

her solution was to contact the other carer before the shift starts and ask them if they would rather meet her at the end of her street or on the main road (bother options are in the direction she will be travelling to the first client)

most of the time they pick one but if they specifically ask to be picked up she says she can do that but she will have to charge them for fuel, it’ll be £X per mile as per Google maps estimate, (she then gives them a price for just collecting and for collecting and dropping them back off) and says she will need the money sent before she sets off, including her bank details.

most of the time they say they will meet her.

Courante · 23/04/2022 13:36

YANBU - MagneticRubberDuck's friend seems to have a very good solution. You shouldn't be the one paying for their convenience and your inconvenience. I would suggest a charge for time and fuel.

custardbear · 23/04/2022 13:36

They need to both pay you, february and no pay! And also a per mile amount, especially as fuel is bonkers at the moment

LookItsMeAgain · 23/04/2022 13:38

My advice, say that you will bring the colleague to/from the visit if they can get to a (mutually agreeable) location, such as a supermarket car park (preferably one nearer you than them) and you will drop them back to that location. You will not be driving to/from their home.
They then have to get to/from that location under their own steam.

Otherwise, you're no longer able to do this extra driving. It must be costing you a bomb in petrol and extra wear and tear on your car.

Peakypolly · 23/04/2022 13:45

Just please make sure you are insured for business use if you are doing this

I would tell my employer that my insurance does not cover me driving others to their place of business, so unfortunately I will no longer be driving them.

LumpyandBumps · 23/04/2022 13:45

You say it is ‘expected’ and that today you are collecting someone who lives in the opposite direction.
Who asked you to do that?
If it was your manager then you are working during the time it takes you to collect and drop off. Why are they not paying you for this time and also reimbursing travel costs?
If you have been asked by the colleague you are saving them travel costs and it is not unreasonable that they pay you a sum to cover your expenses.
Home carers are often not well paid, not given huge amounts of time between visits, don’t have great terms and conditions, etc. It is not fair or reasonable to expect extra unpaid work and expense on top of the huge costs running a car.
I realise it is hard when you are fairly new to a job but you might just need find a way to say no. Make up a sensible excuse if you don’t want to be thought awkward ( although you definitely aren’t ).

IncompleteSenten · 23/04/2022 13:47

You need to tell them that it is their responsibility to get to your house and that drop off will also be your house and you will not be going out of your way.

Pigeoning · 23/04/2022 13:47

Peakypolly · 23/04/2022 13:45

Just please make sure you are insured for business use if you are doing this

I would tell my employer that my insurance does not cover me driving others to their place of business, so unfortunately I will no longer be driving them.

This.

Original poster
BrumBrumBeepBeep · 23/04/2022 13:48

linelgreen · 23/04/2022 13:27

Just please make sure you are insured for business use if you are doing this

Yes I do have business insurance.

OP posts:
Suzi888 · 23/04/2022 13:49

YANBU not to mention the extra time it takes!

Original poster
BrumBrumBeepBeep · 23/04/2022 13:51

Thanks all. I’m going to say meet at a mutual location, ie, the end of my road and go from there! It’s a 20/25 min walk for this person though so I wonder how that’ll be received!

Or her parents could drive her over I guess….

OP posts:
Shortpoet · 23/04/2022 14:00

25 minute walk to a pick up point is perfectly reasonable.

She could always invest in a foldable electric scooter if she wants to save time. Much cheaper than buying and running a car.

Have a really cheap umbrella in your car so if it is ever raining and she complains about wet weather as you are dropping her off you can hand her that and let her get in with it.

NewandNotImproved · 23/04/2022 14:09

She can receive it however she chooses, it’s her problem, and your employers problem. They’re the ones who need to figure out a solution. Compensate you for your time and resources, or, figure something else out. That’s their options.

if she whines or has the audacity to demand you chauffeur her, tell her how weird it is that your employer hasn’t arranged anything, and what’s she going to do?

LouisRenault · 23/04/2022 14:11

Or her parents could drive her over I guess….

Why on earth should they? She's an adult, presumably physically capable of walking, if she's doing a caring job. Unless she's carrying a lot of heavy equipment, a 20-25 minute walk should be no problem, and a good way to get exercise. Everyone should start their day with a walk, imo.

comealongponds · 23/04/2022 14:22

YANBU and I say that as someone who can’t drive. I deliberately live and work in places that are accessible on public transport.

Why can’t she at least get herself to and from your house to save you doing the extra journey?