Am I Being Punished?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by LB1, May 16, 2021.

  1. LB1

    LB1 Bobtail Member

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    I think I’m being somewhat punished for some past employee’s behaviors.

    Here is the gist of things...

    I started with a small company as a w2 cpm driver. Was given a company cc and told by the owner “get whatever you need to get yourself comfortable in the truck”.

    Another driver saw my truck with nothing in it and said “why you don’t have a truck gps, cb, scanner, etc? Everyone else uses their cc to get work related items with no issues with a receipt.”
    (side note: I’ve already ran a few loads for them with no issues, 100% on time and it’s OTR.)

    So before getting it or anything else the truck needed, I asked and was told no by the dispatcher who I believe also has some kind of ownership in the company. I was told that previous employees had bought things, quit or were fired and took the stuff with them.

    However, the owner (the money guy) says it’s fine but seems to later on follow whatever the dispatcher (experienced ex trucker) says.

    I’m not sure on how to approach this. On one hand, I get that previous employees were not the best, but why penalize others from the start.

    Now frankly, most companies are not buying anything for you and your lucky to get reimbursed for much. So I didn’t really expect anything, but I’m constantly being treated like the crooked past employees and at this point I’m second guessing even fuel purchases for their truck

    Any advice is appreciated.
     
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  3. ibcalm19

    ibcalm19 Road Train Member

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    I would say no. I believe at first they were trying to make their employees have what they needed to be comfortable in the truck(owners could have put those items in truck themselves).
    The reality set for the owners that the employees felt(wrong they didn't buy those items) they could take the items when they left. I wouldn't do what the owners did for the same reason. You would lose out just like they are & yes everyone who leaves or gets fired wouldn't do it.
    They have just changed the policy going forward. You definitely should purchase fuel on their card it is there trucking company. Keep in going honest trucker. All the best on your journey
     
  4. Jacoooooooo

    Jacoooooooo Heavy Load Member

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    Well, you’re not being punished. It’s all about money, nobody want’s to give them away, they will promise so when trying to lure you in though. All sounds like a usual course of business.
     
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  5. LB1

    LB1 Bobtail Member

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    I appreciate your response and thoughtful advice.

    After considering it, I believe the owner probably did buy all the bells & whistles for the trucks to get drivers and found out they weren’t up to par. Hopefully I don’t continue to be the “example” for much longer and time will heal their “financial wounds”.
     
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  6. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    I started with a small company as a w2 cpm driver. Was given a company cc and told by the owner “get whatever you need to get yourself comfortable in the truck”.

    that is a very ambiguous statement, and that is even IF, it was said to you, word for word.

    it could have just meant, bedding materials, maybe a pillow. maybe roll of paper towels, toilet paper, windex, waterless hand cleaner, maybe a gallon of coolant, a gallon of oil, a gallon of washer fluid.

    then too, since you bought those things, "FOR THE TRUCK", on the company credit card..??

    THEY ARE COMPANY PROPERTY, and as such, that employer can and will DEDUCT those costs when you quit.

    .

    i frankly do not think it meant, "go all out, and kill me with the company credit card"

    do not take another workers word as gospel of what the boss meant.

    and for your boss to back track later, tells me he does NOT mean to go hog wild.
     
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  7. LB1

    LB1 Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for your reply. To answer the question, yep it was said this way to me. However, I never used their card for anything other than fuel, cat scale and small maintenance.

    I personally would use my own cc for anything that I know is not company related like food, bedding, personal cb, gloves, etc.

    Either way, apparently my first thought NOT to use the card for ANYTHING, unless it’s approved first, was correct. So when one owner says no problem and the other owner says no, I won’t have any discrepancies. But I tell ya, it sure makes me for stressful days when I have to do something like get a tire changed and the owner who always says no answers and approves it after a long pause with a lengthy sigh. Have me feeling like I’m at the principals office or I’m breaking the bank lol. I guess I’m too much of a woman and need to suck it up lol
     
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  8. lovesthedrive

    lovesthedrive R.I.P.

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    Absolutely. We are out to get you. You may now wear the honorary tinfoil hat
     
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  9. Qbf594

    Qbf594 Road Train Member

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    I wouldn't read much into the sighs or pauses or other guesses at intentions etc. Texts and phone calls are notoriously tricky for that. Besides if it's not blatantly rude or illegal ultimately it doesn't mean much. I've had bosses that came across mean or impatient or whatever but had perfectly sane cooperative professional conduct. And a really 'nice' boss who was a dirty snake. Watch what they DO not what/how they speak... IMO.
    Other part that stood out to me was the mixed messages. That would drive me nuts. I want my management to all be on the same page and have that page spelled out clearly for me. Preferably in writing. In case I forget later....or someone else forgets later. Documentation is a beautiful thing...
     
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  10. slow.rider

    slow.rider Road Train Member

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    Management by committee often creates these uncomfortable grey areas, especially when there's no fixed rule on how a final determination is made.
     
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  11. Accidental Trucker

    Accidental Trucker Road Train Member

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    One of the benefits of working for a small outfit is that there are a lot less rules. One of the drawbacks is that there are a lot less rules. In this case, you are going to have to manage your managers.

    The solution, which seems rather obvious, is to ask for a 10 minute meeting with both persons, and clarify what purchases are "legit" and which are not. Go in with a list of items you need for the truck (fuel, oil, coolant, fuses, wipers, window cleaner, glad hand seals, replacement lights, tire pressure gauge; I mean the WHOLE LIST). Second bring a list of things you need for the truck that are questionable in your mind (bedding, GPS, CB, tablet, water less hand cleaner, blue mechanic's towels, etc). Then, a list of things you think are "over the line" (hand held vac, refrigerator, white noise simulator, u,pgraded stereo, whatever you would like to make your day better).

    At the meeting, present your lists, and tell them you appreciate them trying to make your life more comfortable, but that the lack of clarity is making it more difficult, not less.

    One of the ways small companies have dealt with this issue in the past is to have a clear list of "allowables" that drivers can purchase as needed, and then a standard budget for "desirables" that the driver gets to spend on doo-dads for the truck off an approved list. If that appeals to you, you can make that as a suggestion.

    Either way, don't expect an immediate solution from the meeting, as obviously the two owners are not of one mind, but you should ask for them to give you clear guidance by a certain date, and then follow up if necessary. It is, indeed, managing your managers.
     
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