question about drivers being held responsible for damages

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by ridefree, Aug 13, 2014.

  1. ridefree

    ridefree Bobtail Member

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    Aug 13, 2014
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    This is a quick question for anyone who has seen this happen on the job. My husband works for a company here in Florida that has asked him to sign a new policy. In this policy they are stating that the driver will be held financially responsible for any damage that may occur to their property and to any businesses that they may deliver to. In this memo it states that the company will take the money out of the drivers pay. The example they give is that they can will take the difference between their pay and minimum wage which here is $7.93 an hour. Which seems to me to be very harsh, I mean how many drivers out there can make it on that pay. If anyone has heard of this what would your suggestion be. At this time some drivers have refused to sign. My husband is not sure if he should. And if he does sign is there any insurance we can purchase to cover any damage it is were to occur. I'm not worried about his driving but we do live in Florida and people down here are terrible drivers.
    :biggrin_25513:
     
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  3. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

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    Tell your husband to tell those folks to go pound sand. After he finds another job of course. But he would be crazy to sign such an agreement. Companies are required by law to carry liability insurance coverage. That's what covers their employees for that can of thing.
     
  4. ridefree

    ridefree Bobtail Member

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    Aug 13, 2014
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    lol, I totally agree. They are not threating fire if he does not sign, and others have refused. We think that they are not wanting to use there insurance because they do not want premimums to go up. This is a small company, they pay well but this is not right what they are doing. Thanks
     
  5. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    I agree with Tony, the company has to have liability insurance and even if the employee signs the form, the insurance company still has to cover that expense.
     
  6. ridefree

    ridefree Bobtail Member

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    Aug 13, 2014
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    I agree, the insurance should cover any damage, we are still waiting to see if they are going to also make the driver responsible if there is a cross drop, he delivers fuel and it does happen sometimes. if the driver does that the fuel has to be refined and that is expensive. This whole thing is crazy we have in all of these years never had a company do this. We've seen them with hold safety bonus's but never this.
     
  7. "Hang - Man"

    "Hang - Man" Heavy Load Member

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    I know it's coming, who is going to be the first to say "he should sign it because he is a professional and yada yada yada be responsible for the damage and yada yada yada Dont damage anything and yada yada yada and i have been driving for a hundred years and i never yada yada yada.
     
  8. Freddy57

    Freddy57 Road Train Member

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    This sounds like a violation of employment law. I would contact the labor commission there in Florida and ask if this is even legal in that state.
     
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  9. Getsinyourblood

    Getsinyourblood Road Train Member

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    Sounds like some office pencil pusher has come up with a new idea. I have never heard of such an idea, but some of these companies nowadays must just sit around and think of ways to screw a truck driver.
     
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  10. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    This is your best bet even if he signs he is probably not liable
     
  11. bigdogpile

    bigdogpile Road Train Member

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    It's the same clowns who draw up lease contracts...
     
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