Charging for unearned hometime??? Driver late and I'm getting charged.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Azkul89, Jul 5, 2017.

  1. Azkul89

    Azkul89 Light Load Member

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    Oct 30, 2016
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    So I have a driver who is running a dedicated lane fore me,his earned days off are Friday and Saturday but since he lives right in the middle of this freight lane he likes to go home during the week,which would be fine with me except he is getting drunk at the bar during his 10 and is late with the loads,since this is extremely time sensitive freight I'm being charged for it being late. Now my question is can I legally charge this driver for taking unearned home time to make up for MY loss because of HIS actions?
     
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  3. bulldawg trucker

    bulldawg trucker Medium Load Member

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    Charging stuff back to drivers always gets touchy. Time to have a talk with him about his tardiness and if doesn't improve put it on paper and then term him and find another driver.
     
  4. Thatonenewguy

    Thatonenewguy Light Load Member

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    You are suppose to do reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing! on top of the randoms hehe... This kid is going to put you out of business.
     
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  5. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    What a bs answer to this problem. Never charge an employee back for anything. If he is costing you too much you give him a few days off without pay, if he doesn't wise up you fire him. Depending on the issue you can skip the warning...

    And if he is getting drunk on his 10, you should be firing him anyway for violating FMCSA. He has to be sober for 4 hours before he can drive. That does not mean stop drinking and then wait 4 hours. It means all the alcohol has to be out of the system (not under the influence) for 4 hours.
    If you have a reasonable suspicion, next time he starts the truck, have him go to a testing center and get an alcohol test done. (Of course look up the regs (FMCSA 382) for that to make sure you comply)
     
    pattyj, LoneCowboy, MrEd and 2 others Thank this.
  6. RollingRecaps

    RollingRecaps Light Load Member

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    If he really is getting drunk and late on the loads then FIre him. Its that simple. Get another driver asap
     
  7. passingthru69

    passingthru69 Road Train Member

    Real easy, find a new driver...
     
  8. TallJoe

    TallJoe Road Train Member

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    The whole idea of being reliable is to be always on time. There is not that much more to be ranked by.
     
  9. dptrucker

    dptrucker Road Train Member

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    If he is late because of his drinking... Then fire him. How do you know he is not driving jnder the influence? Send him in fir a random drug and alcohol test. And if i was your boss ... i would fire you for knowing he is late due to his drinking
     
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  10. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    You are aware of this alcohol problem and for a safety sensitive position like DRIVING you will also be held accountable if anything happens. That is reason enough to fire him. I would say eat the loss of the charge back for him being late, and find you a new driver. Charge back to a driver is a touchy subject at best and if you do it and he calls labor board or whatever authority you have it will be even more of a nightmare for you. There are plenty of drivers looking for dedicated gigs that pay decent. Find one on near where the trip begins or terminates and figure out a way to park the truck while it is empty.
     
  11. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    White County, Arkansas
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    Drink?

    Test him with a random or two. It's one thing to drink at home. but no no to drink during a 10, find another driver preferably one who is dry.

    You lose a little money now, replace the driver. Im sorry to be such a cold hearted bastad talking about replacement. If you don't you have a bleeding money and a drunken driver too. Now what? That opens a can of worms....

    Take his pay a few times. Tell him to stop drinking. Shape up or get out.

    But Im not all mean and bad... give the man a extra two days off now and then. Knowing he will plaster himself. Until you find a replacement.
     
    bulldawg trucker and not4hire Thank this.
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