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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:
Justleaveitblankthen · 15/08/2024 07:12

Anewuser · 10/08/2024 11:40

This is ridiculous. If she ran someone over whilst driving, would you all take part of her prison sentence for her?

Exactly this.
Wow, I've met some CF's in my time but this takes the biscuit!

Original poster
CountryVic · 15/08/2024 07:12

Sorry for the delay in getting back to everyone, it’s all been sorted now. Sonia is responsible for the fine and the demerit points, the fine has been updated with her details and will be resent to her address, she can contest if if she chooses, nothing to do with work.

The office manager has been educated in the car policies and been encouraged to reach out to his support network in future if not sure, he must follow all practices and policies.

HR pretty much said it’s Sonia’s responsibility, nothing to talk about here and the staff member who paid $65 already has been given her money back, and she needs to read up on the car hiring policy’s again, as does Sonia.

We often have to travel together in pairs or more, you wouldn’t typically refuse to get in a car with another staff member who’s driving without very good reason. In the past I have chosen at times to take my own car for work or travel but we don’t get mileage or and allowances or reimbursement of any kind. I actually live mid way between the offices so on this instance I had to leave my home at B, drive to A to get the work car, then drive to C and back again, adding an 2 hours to my day. (30 mins to office A or C). I have said next time I’ll just meet at the location C and the others can find there way, Sonia was giving me death stares earlier so not sure I want to be paired up with here for a few months anyway!

OP posts:
CanelliniBeans · 15/08/2024 07:23

I’d split a parking fine as we could all read the parking rules and take responsibility for where the car was parked.
no way would I split a speeding fine unless I had actively encouraged someone to speed or condoned their speeding if we were late (which I wouldn’t).
she was speeding, you didn’t ask her to.
she broke the law.
she pays.

velvetcoat · 15/08/2024 07:30

Well, unless Sonia consulted you all about what speed she should go then she pays.

If you didnt get to contribute a view about her speed then you shouldn't have to contribute to the money for the fine. Its really that simple.

WickieRoy · 15/08/2024 07:32

Great update OP.

FeetupTvon · 15/08/2024 07:35

Personally, I would share it, had she not offered to help with the driving you’d have had to do all the driving .

Marseillaise · 15/08/2024 07:43

The manager should have been able to work this one out for him or herself. Suppose Sonia had sped every day, would each of the passengers be expected to pay out over $200 each for the privilege of being driven by a careless driver?

Uglyandgrumpy · 15/08/2024 07:44

only just seen this... Sonia was driving so Sonia was responsible..... although if i was one of the passengers who wasn't able to drive I would probably give Sonia a gift towards the fine just for appreciation of her driving and getting the fine. But absolutely under no obligation to - just out of kindness. If it had been me driving i expect to take the punishment and wouldn't expect anything, but a gift would be a nice gesture.

Askingforafriendtoday · 15/08/2024 07:51

CountryVic · 15/08/2024 07:12

Sorry for the delay in getting back to everyone, it’s all been sorted now. Sonia is responsible for the fine and the demerit points, the fine has been updated with her details and will be resent to her address, she can contest if if she chooses, nothing to do with work.

The office manager has been educated in the car policies and been encouraged to reach out to his support network in future if not sure, he must follow all practices and policies.

HR pretty much said it’s Sonia’s responsibility, nothing to talk about here and the staff member who paid $65 already has been given her money back, and she needs to read up on the car hiring policy’s again, as does Sonia.

We often have to travel together in pairs or more, you wouldn’t typically refuse to get in a car with another staff member who’s driving without very good reason. In the past I have chosen at times to take my own car for work or travel but we don’t get mileage or and allowances or reimbursement of any kind. I actually live mid way between the offices so on this instance I had to leave my home at B, drive to A to get the work car, then drive to C and back again, adding an 2 hours to my day. (30 mins to office A or C). I have said next time I’ll just meet at the location C and the others can find there way, Sonia was giving me death stares earlier so not sure I want to be paired up with here for a few months anyway!

Thanks for the update, OP. Sensible result all round, lessons have been learnt it seems incl by the manager! Good decision by you too yo make your own way in future!

A poster still considering giving a gift to the speeding driver... hmmm🤔

LookItsMeAgain · 15/08/2024 07:54

I have no idea why Sonia is giving you death stares - I mean she signed the same driving policy that you did as did your other colleagues, so she has to pay the fine, and will be because HR and Corporate had to get involved and show her what she signed up to.

I'm glad it got resolved but under no circumstances would I go out of my way now for anyone in the company and definitely not by adding 2 hours on to my day for unpaid work related stuff.

As for refusing to get into a car with a colleague without good reason - well you have your get out of jail free card right there. The fact that she tried to pawn off to you, frozen shoulder and trainee the costs of her mistake and it was only when Corporate/HR got involved did she back track, I'd refuse to get into a car with her because goodness knows what she might try and say you did (even if you were the one driving) - a whiplash case in her future even if you're staying under the speed limit. I really wouldn't trust her as far as I could throw her!

StoatofDisarray · 15/08/2024 08:01

BettyBardMacDonald · 10/08/2024 11:41

Sonia, of course.

Your manager is incompetent.

Sonia and your manager should be enforcing this and, y'know, managing the team.

butterbeansauce · 15/08/2024 08:03

whatthehellnpw · 10/08/2024 12:07

Why was Sonia even saying it might not have been her driving if she believed it should have been split 4 ways. I bet she wouldn't have offered to share costs if you had been caught on that camera!

That's the point. She wouldn't have offered to pay if you had been driving clearly.

If you're all a team then that includes the company and maybe your manager should chip in too? (obviously you can't say that but I'd feel like it!).

I'm guessing your colleague is a bit princessy whereas you are more compliant so they think it's easier to bulldoze you but you're exactly in the right.

butterbeansauce · 15/08/2024 08:06

Just read the update. It's good to hear a positive HR response! Well done for sticking to your guns. I bet the other two are secretly delighted.

Aireeded · 15/08/2024 08:12

CountryVic · 15/08/2024 07:12

Sorry for the delay in getting back to everyone, it’s all been sorted now. Sonia is responsible for the fine and the demerit points, the fine has been updated with her details and will be resent to her address, she can contest if if she chooses, nothing to do with work.

The office manager has been educated in the car policies and been encouraged to reach out to his support network in future if not sure, he must follow all practices and policies.

HR pretty much said it’s Sonia’s responsibility, nothing to talk about here and the staff member who paid $65 already has been given her money back, and she needs to read up on the car hiring policy’s again, as does Sonia.

We often have to travel together in pairs or more, you wouldn’t typically refuse to get in a car with another staff member who’s driving without very good reason. In the past I have chosen at times to take my own car for work or travel but we don’t get mileage or and allowances or reimbursement of any kind. I actually live mid way between the offices so on this instance I had to leave my home at B, drive to A to get the work car, then drive to C and back again, adding an 2 hours to my day. (30 mins to office A or C). I have said next time I’ll just meet at the location C and the others can find there way, Sonia was giving me death stares earlier so not sure I want to be paired up with here for a few months anyway!

Be careful, using your car to drive for work purposes may invalidate your insurance. DD was covered to commute to her work place but not to a suppliers - she needed additional business insurance to make that trip - best to check with your insurers.

Sjh15 · 15/08/2024 08:49

I think after Sonia tried to blame me, I’d be putting my foot down and saying absolutely no way, she was driving

if she hit and killed someone is that all 4 of your responsibility too?

poor management also - saying it’s the drivers responsibility then changes his mind the second Sonia kicks off.

Trethew · 15/08/2024 08:51

Good. The correct and sensible outcome

LemonGelato · 15/08/2024 08:56

I'm surprised she's not also getting a formal warning under the disciplinary policy. You would in most places I've worked - and it would be a final warning as well, no mucking about.

Speeding is dangerous driving and with passengers in the car it's even worse.

As for the death stares ignore, ignore, ignore. And never share a car again with her (or at least make sure you do all the driving!).

Purplecrush · 15/08/2024 08:56

You have been very gracious OP.
I would be VERY upset at Sknia and the office manager.

One a liar, the other a bully and ignorant.
Well done for not tolerating either.

ThePlumVan · 15/08/2024 09:10

100% she should pay in full - she was the one breaking the law, no one else.

Shocked any one has suggested others!

beanii · 15/08/2024 09:20

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.

Each driver is responsible for sticking to the speed limits - not tricky at all!

Babyworriesreal · 15/08/2024 09:21

I wouldn't fullt trust Sonia again - about anything.

seriesoffortunateevents · 15/08/2024 09:32

Babyworriesreal · 15/08/2024 09:21

I wouldn't fullt trust Sonia again - about anything.

Extreme 😂

MumblesParty · 15/08/2024 09:42

FeetupTvon · 15/08/2024 07:35

Personally, I would share it, had she not offered to help with the driving you’d have had to do all the driving .

Edited

@FeetupTvon my understanding is that this was a work situation, in which the drivers shared the load. I don’t think it was OP’s responsibility to do all the driving, so Sonia wasn’t “helping”, she was just doing her share, which she was obliged to do. In fact, she did slightly less than her share, as OP did one of Sonia’s shifts for her when Sonia had a headache.

Beautiful3 · 15/08/2024 10:02

Great update @CountryVic glad hr saw sense, and spoke to your manager. Forget Sonia, she'll get over it.

Topseyt123 · 15/08/2024 10:23

Sonia was driving so Sonia pays. Simple. There's even photographic evidence.

No, I absolutely wouldn't be wishy-washy and make a "goodwill" payment. Why? She tried to shift it onto you.

Glad common sense prevailed though and HR stepped in.