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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Managers who don’t drive ..

29 replies

Peopleshouldhavetails · 04/05/2025 18:42

My manager is responsible for 3 sites but hardly visits 2 because she doesn’t drive. So she’s always at the same one and tries to run the other 2 from a distance.
Occasionally she’ll plan in a day at the other 2, planned in advance because of public transport but it’s always a hassle. And she’s never able to just pop over if there’s a staffing issue so will ask other staff to cover because she can’t get there…
AIBU to find it rather unprofessional to be a non-driver when you are required to look after several sites.
And yes, I do judge people who don’t drive and find having a driving license part of being a fully functioning adult if you live outside of London 🫣

OP posts:
2024onwardsandup · 04/05/2025 18:43

I think then work should pay for her to have taxis.

2024onwardsandup · 04/05/2025 18:43

And there’s lots of reasons she might not drive that she has no obligation to share with yiu

Original poster
Peopleshouldhavetails · 04/05/2025 18:47

She says she finds it a bit scary to learn to drive

OP posts:
Openthisdoor · 04/05/2025 18:48

Give it a rest! So tired of these repetitive threads about non drivers.

NuffSaidSam · 04/05/2025 18:48

This is the second 'I don't like people who can't drive' thread today!

As with the other thread, this is a management issue (i.e. her manager). If she was honest about not being able to drive and they gave her the job anyway then she's done nothing wrong. If she lied about not being able to drive then it's on her, but the problem is the lying not the lack of driving.

There are lots of good reasons people can't or don't drive. If you can't think of any of them I'd say your low IQ is probably more of an issue for the company than her driving!

faerietales · 04/05/2025 18:50

The issue is that the company hired a non-driver and aren't paying for taxis to allow her to do her role probably.

Lookitsnotmyproblem · 04/05/2025 18:50

I've had a driving licence (was a district nurse) bit now can't drive because of disability. You really don't know why manager doesn't drive. I used to work for an nhs team that worked closely with social services it was quite common for SS team to arrive by bike, public transport or taxi it didn't seem to hinder their job (or promotions).

faerietales · 04/05/2025 18:50

Peopleshouldhavetails · 04/05/2025 18:47

She says she finds it a bit scary to learn to drive

And?

CrepuscularCritter · 04/05/2025 18:51

I am a fully functioning adult.

I don't drive.

I have an eye condition that I don't share with people who don't need to know.

I make arrangements to get to places I need to be for work. I think I've had to ask for a lift once in 40 years.

Forgive my somewhat strident tone. I can understand that you might think two sites are being inappropriately supported, but surely that's an issue for the manager's manager.

BethDuttonYeHaw · 04/05/2025 18:53

faerietales · 04/05/2025 18:50

The issue is that the company hired a non-driver and aren't paying for taxis to allow her to do her role probably.

Entirely this

ObliviousCoalmine · 04/05/2025 18:53

If I have to go to a different office, I am paid mileage to drive. If a non driving colleague has to go to a different office, their travel expenses are repaid. You’re expected to get the cheapest public transport option (like don’t Uber 50 miles when the train is a tenner for the same journey).

I don’t really see what the problem is other than her being lazy and not planning in regular days at different sites. This isn’t a non driver problem, it’s a lazy person problem.

BethDuttonYeHaw · 04/05/2025 18:53

And judging people for not driving is really, really weird.

Jeschara · 04/05/2025 18:54

You sound judgemental and silly OP, there are many reasons people can't drive and it's nothing to do with being a functional adult.
My partner and close friend do not drive, they never ask for lifts, use public transport, and both are fully functioning adults. They also done/do responsible jobs.
Your judgement sounds immature. I would hate to work with you

TulipCat · 04/05/2025 18:56

She doesn't have the skillset to carry out her role fully. It's not for you to judge her for not driving, but it is fine to give this as professional feedback to her manager.

She has never driven, so it must have been known she didn't drive when she was given the role. Perhaps at the time they discussed how she would handle three sites but over time that has fallen off and two are being neglected. Frame it like that, not as vitriol for non drivers.

MemorableTrenchcoat · 04/05/2025 18:57

And what if a fully-functioning adult has a medical condition that precludes them from driving, or can’t afford driving lessons/car ownership, or has tried hard but simply can’t master it? These judgemental posts about non-drivers are pathetic.

oceancolourblue · 04/05/2025 18:58

I’m married to a non driver. I’m so glad I didn’t have preset ideas about this as he’s a wonderful husband and father.

ShortyShorts · 04/05/2025 18:59

Openthisdoor · 04/05/2025 18:48

Give it a rest! So tired of these repetitive threads about non drivers.

Some people are so thick aren't they?

They 'judge' people who know their own capabilities and who don't want to risk killing both themselves and others.

It really doesn't take more than a minimal amount of thought to understand why not everyone drives.

fallinlovenothate · 04/05/2025 19:03

I don't drive and am now responsible for more then one site (unfortunately my non driving is due to medical issues so I can't just learn) I have set days in each place (3 in the biggest and the 1 day each in each other places) however I can be at another site within 40 mins in an emergency- sickness cover is a little different as I have my own case load and appointments are pre-booked so generally it's a case of managing what we can remotely and rebooking any that can't be covered. It can be tricky but it's workable as a non driver manager

Mucholderlittlewiser · 04/05/2025 19:07

And yes, I do judge people who don’t drive and find having a driving license part of being a fully functioning adult if you live outside of London

Has it ever occurred to you that there are lots of reasons why people don't drive? In my case I surrendered my licence because I have a medical condition which makes me unfit.

Oxpeckercarnival · 04/05/2025 19:12

If her not being at sites when she needs to be there is affecting the business, then you need to raise this with senior management and they need to find a solution. Her saying she can't get there isn't an acceptable excuse from her as she could get a taxi and claim on expenses. It sounds like she is using not driving as an excuse so she can avoid having to travel which is a different issue.

ObelixtheGaul · 04/05/2025 19:19

Really, really sick of hearing how one isn't a 'fully functioning adult' if they live outside of London and don't drive.

As a 50 year old who was working full time from the age of 18, has a home with a fully paid off mortgage, has travelled extensively, etc, but has never owned a car nor even lived in a city, never mind London, I am not sure in what way I have not been 'fully functioning' because of one thing I cannot do?

I have asked this question before, and all I get is half-arsed answers about the 'people they know'.
I know people who can drive who are like helpless babies when their car is off the road, but hey, I'm not fully functioning as an adult because I get the bus.

I don't know what the deal is with your manager. Maybe she lied about her driving status, but if being able to drive was essential for the role, she shouldn't have been given the job. Not be of this means those who cannot drive for any reason are all not fully functioning adults.

Octavia64 · 04/05/2025 19:20

It’s not unprofessional to be a non driver.

plenty of people can’t drive for medical reasons they are not all unprofessional.

she should be able to work out ways to supervise all sites effectively though.

Greenartywitch · 04/05/2025 19:21

The issue is with the company management who hired a non-driver to manage different sites, not with her.

If frequent travel was involved they should have selected someone with a driving licence and access to a car.

Or they should pay for taxis if the premises are not accessible by public transport.

Elsvieta · 04/05/2025 20:42

If driving was a requirement for her job, that should have been made clear when it was advertised (and reiterated to anyone who interviewed for it); YANBU if you think that whoever didn't do that was unprofessional. But I don't think it's wrong of anyone to take a job on the terms it was offered. Sounds like her boss didn't think this through.

TeenLifeMum · 04/05/2025 20:46

I’m a manager across many sites (more than 40). I generally work out of 2 plus home. Most of my work is on teams so I can work across the other sites by speaking to people. I do drive but losing precious work time driving seems pointless. If your manager’s line manager is happy then it has fuck all to do with you!

Do I think not driving is massively life limiting? Yes. But yabu here.