My driver ran out of fuel

Brilliant comment, Danny.

 

I disagree, Red. I think. There could be something in their agreement prior to an offer, like "acts of blatant stupidity are not covered," something like that. But there's a line somewhere, there's a line that involves an experienced driver making good choices. I talk to shop mechanics, and they say they've put 6 gallons of oil in an engine to refill the crankcase. I'd fire that guy, myself. And I'd charge him for damage to my rig. 6 gallons - that driver did not check his fluid levels for a long, long time. Should the owner just absorb that and move on? I don't think so.

 

I would audit his fuel purchases for the past few weeks/months and see if there was a sharp decrease in fuel mileage. Could point to a pattern of selling small quantities of fuel. 50 gal sale could be covered up for a while, but will finally catch up with the person selling the fuel.

 

Some are saying "charge the driver" , but as I mentioned before, you better check the law regarding deducting money for an employees check, there are laws on this, should the driver man up? Absolutely, but that's a different conversation

 

if the guy isnt trashin your truck and picks up and delivers on time and its a one time deal id get over it and move on cause drivers are gettin hard to find ..i know if ya took 300 buks outa my check for a one time screw up you would be lookin for a driver that day .
but if hes always screwin up thats a different story .

 

Disagreement makes for good discussion.

In the case you describe, I'd fire the guy too. Aside from damage to the equipment, that's a huge safety red flag as well. A fatality accident waiting to happen when (not if) he breaks down in a bad place.

I would not attempt to collect anything from the driver. In fact, I'll pay him up to the last trip into the shop and buy him a one way bus ticket home, if I don't drive him there myself. The truck is my responsibility. When I fire that dude, it's going to be quick, clean, and with no strings attached. Partially for what crzyjarmans mentions, mostly because when I'm done with someone, I'm done with them. There will be no further need to communicate with the ex-employee other than to mail out their final W2 after the end of the year. They will have nothing to sue me for, nor have any legs to stand on for a UI claim, and nothing to take to a civil court to claim they got harmed or ripped off in any way. Then I'm able to focus my attention on recovering/restoring the equipment and going about my business with zero distraction with old business with the employee I got rid of.

 

it is obvious by you coming on here to ask this question that a discussion about who would pay for things like this didn't take place before the guy hit the road, and di you actually verify his 38 years of experience?? fact is, a conversation over things like this should have taken place and a paper typed out stating what was discussed and have it signed and dated by both parties.

you never assume anything and leave nothing to chance, you hir e enough folks and you will find the guy who can tear out the insides of a crowbar.

again , coming on hear to ask what to do after the fact shows not much was discussed beforehand, the overriding need to get the truck on the road took precedence


and as red foreman stated that all in having employees, you have just hit the tip of the iceberg, you will eat way more than this if you continue to have them.

 

When and where was the fuel card used, how much purchased, did he fill completely up how many miles were traveled? Before running out of fuel?We had few extra loads to move and used a temporary driver service the driver ran it out of fuel plus he was doing his personal business with the truck guess he didn't notice the GPS in the truck.

 

I am a company driver...I ran out of fuel last week. NO Excuses my fault I told my owner take it out of my check. He said next time...no one had ever offered to pay in the past. A week later I am still pissed at myself. Period.