if there's an issue with a driver (ex. to many accidents, etc) how any companies a written company policies that covers what is and what is not acceptable by drivers. is what you are expected to do outlined? is the reprocussions for not following procedure outlined as well?
We have just currently ran into this situation and have revised some things to help with the drivers understanding what is acceptable and what is not. I found that the biggest help came from our insurance provider. They specifically list what will result in the driver not being covered by insurance. I would suggest contacting your insurance agent and seeing if you can get a similar list. This will give you a good start. We simply noted things as being determined by the insurance provider in policy and having a meeting with the drivers and going over the specific list. As always insure that you have documentation showing that this was covered with each driver.
It is very important that you have an express (written) company policy on what as to what disqualifies a person from being a driver. This policy should be known by and handy to any manager that hires drivers. In addition, the policy should be in the drivers handbook (which they have to sign for). Having such a policy comes in to play in several instances. First, when you are hiring it protects you from lawsuits. If you have a policy outlining what disqualifies a person from being a driver (and you follow it) it keeps people from claiming discrimination. If you have a driver that is getting too many traffic violations you can meet with them and pull out the policy to warn them that if they do not stay out of trouble you will have to terminate them. In this way it will protect you from an "unlawful termination" lawsuit. Also, if you can prove to your insurance company that you enforce this policy it could lower your insurance (depending on which provider you use).
In creating this policy you should consult your state laws, talk to your insurance company and the districts you provide service to. Also, use common sense!
Laidlaw has a handbook that states all the procedures. I think if you are in 3 preventable accidents within two years they terminate you. I guess that is reasonable. The only thing i did not like about the Handbook that Laidlaw has is that there were many spelling and grammer errors, which to me, made the company look unprofessional.... What do you guys think? A hand book should be error free so that it reflects the professionalism of the company! Hope no one from Laidlaw knows who i am !! I'd probably get fired for saying that there are / or were tons of spelling errors and grammer errors !!
Sent you a copy of our Accident Policy via e-mail since couldn't figure out how to post it in this thread. Hope this is what your looking for. Should not have any spelling errors in it.
Aloha
Edited by - Mr. B SB #377 on 10/28/2002 12:25:21 AM
First Student has an employees manual that is updated each year. Everyone is required to sign a receipt & hand it in at orientation. They also have extra acknowledgment sheets for district policies and other items such as sleeping child policy. Since I've only worked for FS I thought all companies did that. If they don't, you might want to suggest it. The time putting it together is well worth the effort.
discipline procedures for drivers
Posted - 10/11/2002 : 10:22:19 PM
