More H&S Madness

Work want us all to complete a H&S driving assessment. But on top of
that they have issued a statement that "you are not authorised to use a
motorcycle for business travel."

Can they really do this?

 

But I am insured for business use, so shouldn't that sort things out?
The person in H&S seems only able to answer one question per email and
then only one email per week. I'll be retired before we sort it all out.

 

Will they pay for a taxi if you don't have a car?

 

Problem solved.

 

Don't know yet. I was thinking of pointing out that a 1hr bike ride in
North London is at least 2hrs by car. The last time I did the trip by
train it was 3hrs.

 

.... and if you can't (or perhaps won't, or refuse to admist to being
able to) drive a car?

 

You could be right, but I'll be raving mad by then.

 

A plan

But trains smell.

 

" "

 

Think you've answered yourself ... train every-time unless they play
your way.

 

Or take a car and consistently turn up 'safe' but 2 hours late for
everything.

 

Change employer.

 

Fantastic. Say hello to a big fat compensation claim for unfair dismissal.

 

Well, if you're insured for business use, then I suspect not. Have a
word with your local CAB.

 

"Seems" is the key word.

Speak to /your/ union representative and find out what /your/
contract states with regards to travelling on behalf of the employer.

 

Sorry.

Unless this is a change to the current arrangements (in that you
already have a car licence and use it on behalf if the business and
it's been an accepted requirement of your employment) then you're
fucked. Unless you already use solely a motorcycle for business on a
regular accepted (ie "notorious") basis.

Don't assume just because it seems unfair it actually is in the eyes
of the law.

Oh, and by the way it's not discrimination just because you're a right
on Bro on a bike.

 

Problem with that is that a lot of companies then insist that travel
time doesn't come out of the working day.

Thankfully I work for a more enlightened one.

 

Unless it's home to standard office, I don't think they can, shirely?

Quite.

Ali

 

Hm. I've worked for both and sold the services of both. Himself was with a
few of the Big Six. What we both normally saw happen was that the customer
got a sort of allowance of *some* travelling time - or else, they paid hotel
bills. If the travelling time was more than about an hour each way, then it
had to be accommodation, if that makes sense. And the travel time got time
sheeted, too. At Siemens, support chaps got paid for travel time, as did
engineers.

Ali

 

I'm pretty sure they can, simply by virtue of saying "btw, the meeting
is at 9am".