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Original poster

Who should pay?

249 replies

CountryVic · 10/08/2024 11:34

Last month, 4 work colleagues were going in a work car to another office for the week. We were to meet at work for 7.30am and the drive was an hour, and we returned for 5pm. Two people were not able to drive, one has a frozen shoulder, and the other has not got a full licence (trainee) so the driving was left to myself and one other, let’s call her Sonia.
I drove every morning, and Sonia drove 4 of the 5 afternoons, all good. Until a speeding ticket arrived at work. My boss sent an email to all 4 staff advising as per policy that we signed when taking the car, this needs to be paid by the driver, so can we please confirm who was driving on Thursday afternoon at 4.36pm so they can update the details and have the ticket sent in the correct name and with licence details.
I responded to the email 2 days later when my manager called me to follow up, I had assumed Sonia had responded and taken ownership. I CC everyone in the email and confirmed Sonia was driving, but she replied saying she can't be sure and she thinks it was me! The other 2 staff said they think she drove, but it was a while ago so can’t be sure, so the manager had head office send the full ticket so he can see who the driver is. Of course it shows Sonia, we look nothing alike, but she still says she does not think she should be held fully responsible.
The ticket is $260 and Sonia is suggesting that we split it 4 ways paying $65 each and as we all benefitted from driving together. The other staff member with the frozen shoulder agrees that this is fairest, I disagree and have said no, I won’t be paying this.
On Friday morning I got an email saying this needs to be resolved on Monday, if we can not agree then we have to to attend a meeting with the manager and someone from corporate services as they oversee the work car bookings.
The manager has said it’s up to us how to handle it, reminded us we’re all one team, here for one another but I have said there is nothing to handle, the photograph shows Sonia driving, she should pay the fine, it’s a legal document and nothing to do with work at all. I am happy to go to the meeting and advise this.
The other staff member has put $65 in an envelope for the manager, the trainee has said she’s not got any spare cash until payday and could she pay it over a few pays, I have said there is no expectation for anyone by but Sonia to pay as she was the one with her foot on the accelerator!
Am I wrong here?

OP posts:
gamerchick · 10/08/2024 13:11

Yeah man, poor trainee is probably desperately trying to juggle her budget to afford it.

I find it's easier to stand up for others, than yourself sometimes. Do it for her.

Strictlymad · 10/08/2024 13:14

This is a hill I would absolutely die on! Sonia should pay! Can you speak to someone higher? It’s shocking she blamed you and wants you all to chip in! I would be putting my foot down

IncompleteSenten · 10/08/2024 13:14

I'd refuse to pay because she lied. I might have sucked it up and helped out otherwise but not after that.

As pp said, ask them if she knocked someone over would you all be expected to take a share of the conviction.

The driver is in control of the car. It is solely their responsibility to drive safely and legally.

Hodge00079 · 10/08/2024 13:14

Management is weak. The policy is that driver pays. If they don't enforce, this weakens any other policies. Should not have to be a meeting. If there is a meeting I would refuse to pay and quote policy. I would be aware this would not go down well but so be it.

From a moral point of view I still think it is on Sonia. While you benefited from her driving it was her that doing the driving. You weren't saying can you go faster we need to get there. If Sonia was alright generally I would probably split. However, sounds like tried to worm out and doubt she would do the same for you.

For the sake of harmony I might pay trainees share but on understanding they would not be expected to pay. I wouldn't pay 'my share'.

chattyness · 10/08/2024 13:15

Sonia should pay the whole thing the rest of you didn't have any choice in her speeding it's all on her and it's company policy as she was driving. I'd also call her out on trying to blame you when the photo clearly shows it's her, that's really snidey, shitty behaviour.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 10/08/2024 13:16

I'm on your side

prh47bridge · 10/08/2024 13:17

Sonia should pay. She is the one who broke the speed limit. The other three of you were not in control of the car and may not have known how fast she was going. I understand her not wanting to pay, but she is being very unreasonable.

Dosomethingdifferent · 10/08/2024 13:21

GRex · 10/08/2024 11:38

It's a very tricky one as you all benefited from sharing driving, but it was for work. I think I would contribute for goodwill sake, but explain to work that in future I will not ride share due to the risk of additional personal costs.

Sonia had her foot on the accelerator. Sonia made the decision to break the law. Sonia did not negotiate this to agree to take the risk.
if Sonia has caused an accident it would be Sonia in the doc.
Sonia is failing to take responsibility for her own actions and trying to force a TRAINEE to part pay her fine.
It is Sonia’s responsibility and nothing to do with anyone else. If Sonia can’t deal with this without causing difficulties in the team then Sonia needs to find a new job.

Breaktimebitches · 10/08/2024 13:25

Was Sonia suggesting splitting it four ways when she was trying to blame you?
And if your manager thinks it’s a team
issue, are they going to chip in?
Maybe suggest to Corporate, they pay as
you were on work business. No… thought not. So it is Sonia’s responsibility.

daisychain01 · 10/08/2024 13:28

Gutless management! All the crap about "we're all one team" no, Sonia messed up, she should pay,

Your employer could compromise by paying the fine on Sonia's behalf with the proviso that Sonia signs an agreement that she is willing for 25% of the fine to be taken from her monthly wages for the next 4 months, just to ensure there are no accusations of unlawful deduction of wages.

TortillasAndSalsa · 10/08/2024 13:28

Sonia was driving so Sonia pays the fine. The picture is of her driving not you so do not pay any money towards it as I bet she wouldnt do the same for you

BreatheAndFocus · 10/08/2024 13:33

Did you and the other car occupants make Sonia break the speed limit? No. Then it was her choice/mistake so she pays it. It’s nothing to do with the rest of you unless one of you forced or misled Sonia into speeding.

The fact she initially tried to blame you screams guilt to me, and a nasty dishonesty, so I’d make damn sure she paid the full amount.

AllstarFacilier · 10/08/2024 13:35

She’s signed the policy that says she should pay. The passengers in a car can’t control how fast the driver goes, so the driver has responsibility.

BreatheAndFocus · 10/08/2024 13:35

TortillasAndSalsa · 10/08/2024 13:28

Sonia was driving so Sonia pays the fine. The picture is of her driving not you so do not pay any money towards it as I bet she wouldnt do the same for you

Yep, and if it came to court Sonia would be the one pursued for the money not any random people who happened to be in the car. All passengers ‘benefit from the driver driving the car’, whether they’re colleagues, relatives or friends, but the person responsible for the speeding fine and legally liable is the driver.

DancingFerret · 10/08/2024 13:35

That would be a hard no from me. Sonia was driving, she pays the whole fine and takes the points. End of.

The manager saying you should all split the fine for the sake of the team indicates he's in the wrong job.

Ellie56 · 10/08/2024 13:36

My boss sent an email to all 4 staff advising as per policy that we signed when taking the car, this needs to be paid by the driver

Presumably the policy does not say anything about "team dynamics"?

It has been proved that Sonia was the driver ergo Sonia pays. End of. She is a CF expecting other people to share her fine incurred by her poor driving.

And your manager is a feeble twat. They need to stop this shit pronto, step up and actually manage.

ShouldIbeLeftWithLess · 10/08/2024 13:37

It's interesting that she didn't mention splitting it until evidence proved it was her.

dbeuowlxb173939 · 10/08/2024 13:38

Sonia should pay, I would if it was me in this situation!

AllstarFacilier · 10/08/2024 13:38

The trainee definitely shouldn’t be paying a quarter of the bill if they get paid less. Management are leaving themselves open to people refusing to get in cars with others if they don’t apply the policy. I wouldn’t be getting in a car with people if I knew I suffered the consequences of their driving, they can provide 4 cars in future and all be responsible for themselves.

Blablablabladibla · 10/08/2024 13:40

I would not be paying a penny out of principle.

CinnamonJellyBeans · 10/08/2024 13:41

It's a speeding fine, not road tax. She was entirely at fault.The manager should make her pay and also formally discipline her for:
taking a risk with company workers
taking a risk with the company vehicle
taking a risk with the lives of other road users, whilst on the company clock.

Do not pay. If you're really feeling shit about it, donate the $65 to charity, but not to Sonia.

Scentsless · 10/08/2024 13:42

If this scenario is covered in the training you have to do every six months, I'd be asking management why what is laid out in the training is not being enforced.

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 10/08/2024 13:45

Hellogoodbyehello4321 · 10/08/2024 11:47

As a passenger I would probably agree to split as I'd appreciate she was only driving as I couldn't. But as you shared the driving and she tried to blame you, no way would I offer to split. And I'd be pointing out that you shared the driving and did the team a favour and managed to not incur a ticket.

This. Dear Sonia is an A grade arsehole.

Mumofoneandone · 10/08/2024 13:45

Sounds like the policy needs updating to reflect who pays a fine and if there is a corporate 'punishment' should you commit an offence whilst driving for work.
Imo driver should pay - fact she's tried to dodge it shows poor character and judgement.

Sazza463 · 10/08/2024 13:56

You company will have to update their policies to handle this situation moving forward. Should be the driver’s sole responsibility.