A couple of months ago, I had a job at a building site on Commercial Street in Central London, which meant going over London Bridge and into the Congestion Charge zone, since I was in a 26 tonner coming in from the south, whilst Tower Bridge has a 7.5 tonne limit. And also, since I had an ADR load on board, and coming from Erith, all crossings of the Thames were out until London Bridge. At the time, I thought that my company would pay for the CC. But, a few weeks ago, I got a phone call from the agency, saying that the company had recieved a fine for the CC, and they would have to take two £40 deductions from my wages for the following fortnight (weeks 34 and 36). I thought “Fair enough”.
However, my gripe is not about the above. I’ve noticed that last week’s payslip (week 37) also has another deduction for £200, again for a “congestion fine”. But this time, the agency did NOT warn me about this one and was totally unexpected. I have sent them an e-mail, asking for an explanation on why this has happened. I am extremely miffed about this.
I can’t understand how you’re even ok about the two £40 deductions leet alone the £200. How can it possibly be your responsibility to pay congestion charge when they must know where you need to go.
wrighty1:
I can’t understand how you’re even ok about the two £40 deductions leet alone the £200. How can it possibly be your responsibility to pay congestion charge when they must know where you need to go.
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This scumbag agency seems to take deductions at the drop of a hat for anything. Back in October, they also took £60 off me for a parking fine at Uttoxter services on the A50! Should I possibly take legal action against them to try to reclaim the lost wages?
Can’t really answer the legal action question apart from it might be worth getting advice from Acas or Citizens advice. I certainly wouldn’t work for them again if you can avoid it.
wrighty1:
I can’t understand how you’re even ok about the two £40 deductions leet alone the £200. How can it possibly be your responsibility to pay congestion charge when they must know where you need to go.
GasGas:
For as long as employers treat drivers like this, there will be a shortage of drivers.
The trouble is that there isn’t a shortage of drivers, and that’s why the agency are treating the OP like this. If there was a shortage of drivers then the OP would have sacked off the agency the first time they tried it on and gone to work elsewhere, leaving the agency in a blind panic. The fact that he didn’t do this shows that he knows he is likely to be unemployed if he doesn’t roll over and allow his tummy to be tickled. The agency I work for wouldn’t dream of trying to pull this stunt off with me because they know full well that my response would be “Well, ■■■■■■■■ to you then, don’t bother phoning or texting me again, and the Small Claims Court summons will be in the post next week”.
If your job took you into the congestion zone there’s no way on this planet you should be paying for it, unfortunately by agreeing to them stopping the money out of your wages you’ve given them permission so I don’t know where you stand legally now, but you should get legal advise to see if you can demand the money back.
Shouldnt have even had been the agencies problem. Haulage company shouldve added CC into price when working it out.
Another fine example of people in jobs being incompetent & it gets slopey shouldered down to the poor driver.
When I signed up with them back in July, they mentioned that the only deductions that I would see were for my breaks. There is no mention in my T&Cs or contract of any other sort of deductions.
I also know that the £200 was taken without my consent and therefore illegal.
To be fair on office staff of company if they send you london how they supposed to know if your going in the zone unless.they Google it.
Me personally when ever I’m sent to London if I go in the congestion zone I always ring office tell em
Then they have 24 hours to pay it.
If you go in it and say nothing then your at fault but I agree it’s unfair them expecting you to pay.
Same as Dartford crossing and new runcorn bridge. If you don’t tell office transport manager you went over how they supposed to know. Unless you tell.them.
1st they know is when they get a summons in the post for.non payment. Then.obviously your the fall guy. Where as if you tell em they then don’t pay not your problem.
Garbo2018:
A couple of months ago, I had a job at a building site on Commercial Street in Central London, which meant going over London Bridge and into the Congestion Charge zone, since I was in a 26 tonner coming in from the south, whilst Tower Bridge has a 7.5 tonne limit. And also, since I had an ADR load on board, and coming from Erith, all crossings of the Thames were out until London Bridge. At the time, I thought that my company would pay for the CC. But, a few weeks ago, I got a phone call from the agency, saying that the company had recieved a fine for the CC, and they would have to take two £40 deductions from my wages for the following fortnight (weeks 34 and 36). I thought “Fair enough”.
However, my gripe is not about the above. I’ve noticed that last week’s payslip (week 37) also has another deduction for £200, again for a “congestion fine”. But this time, the agency did NOT warn me about this one and was totally unexpected. I have sent them an e-mail, asking for an explanation on why this has happened. I am extremely miffed about this.
This is just a mild example of the mentality of some drivers who put up with the lube
What chance has anyone else got when you have people putting up with the likes of this
It’s not only believably but its also astonishing
Garbo2018:
When I signed up with them back in July, they mentioned that the only deductions that I would see were for my breaks. There is no mention in my T&Cs or contract of any other sort of deductions.
I also know that the £200 was taken without my consent and therefore illegal.
Are you on PAYE or self employed? If its PAYE then unless it states in your contract they can then its illegal. If you’re self employed unless you have a clause in your terms of business saying your business is not liable for any costs or losses arising from your actions you got your customer, the agency, to sign then they can do what they see fit.
edd1974:
To be fair on office staff of company if they send you london how they supposed to know if your going in the zone unless.they Google it.
Me personally when ever I’m sent to London if I go in the congestion zone I always ring office tell em
Then they have 24 hours to pay it.
If you go in it and say nothing then your at fault but I agree it’s unfair them expecting you to pay.
Same as Dartford crossing and new runcorn bridge. If you don’t tell office transport manager you went over how they supposed to know. Unless you tell.them.
1st they know is when they get a summons in the post for.non payment. Then.obviously your the fall guy. Where as if you tell em they then don’t pay not your problem.
Most half decent firms who semi regularly go into London/across Dartford/Runcorn etc have an account so they don’t get caught out surely?
edd1974:
To be fair on office staff of company if they send you london how they supposed to know if your going in the zone unless.they Google it.
Me personally when ever I’m sent to London if I go in the congestion zone I always ring office tell em
Then they have 24 hours to pay it.
If you go in it and say nothing then your at fault but I agree it’s unfair them expecting you to pay.
Same as Dartford crossing and new runcorn bridge. If you don’t tell office transport manager you went over how they supposed to know. Unless you tell.them.
1st they know is when they get a summons in the post for.non payment. Then.obviously your the fall guy. Where as if you tell em they then don’t pay not your problem.
I partially agree, it would only be courteous to mention having entered a zone/uncurred an automatic toll either verbally or on any paperwork returned. However the company must be pretty shambolic, with some incompetent office staff, not to have realised that there would be a charge incurred and added it onto the the haulage quote to their customer. Surely any sensible company would also have " Tolls/charges incurred today? Y/N" as an extra tick box on the driver’s walk around check list, just underneath “vehicle refuelled at end of shift ? Y/N”.
