Hi all,
I have heard today that they are planning to do drivers assessments on existing staff because we as a whole are having too many accidents. What do you think is that reasonable? It’s sounds like you are really applying for your existing job. To me, it would be only fair if those who have the most accidents would be reassessed. Your thoughts ? TIA
Nothing new about assesments. Driving assesments are done for a reason which is understandable. You are not reapplying for your position, you are showing to the assesor that you are still a safe and competent driver and that your eye sight and driving awareness have not dropped since your last assesment. It simply ticks a box and the company has a duty of care towards other road users as well as looking out for their own equipment. Certainly if there has been a spate of accidents amongst your fellow drivers then it is totally understandable.
Most “big” companies now do assessments at least every 2 years if not every year, insurance generally request them done
We now do these yearly, the only advantage is 7 hrs off the dcpc bollox…[emoji109][emoji109]
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Every 18 months where I am regardless of whether you’re an employee or agency driver.
polytrotter:
We now do these yearly, the only advantage is 7 hrs off the dcpc bollox…[emoji109][emoji109]Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk
Do they asses you for 7 hours then upload you a CPC module?
Ours re-do you annually but its just multiple choice on highway code, vechicle checks, couple up, local route for 30 min then park and uncouple.
I don’t recall it taking more than 2 or 3 hours.
mmeessii:
I have heard today that they are planning to do drivers assessments on existing staff because we as a whole are having too many accidents. What do you think is that reasonable? It’s sounds like you are really applying for your existing job. To me, it would be only fair if those who have the most accidents would be reassessed. Your thoughts ? TIA
As said, it’s common practice with a lot of companies to have regular driver assessments, but if I worked for a company that was just starting to do driver assessments for existing drivers my first question to the employer would be “what happens to anyone who fails the assessment?”, surely you need this to be established before accepting new practices of driver assessment.
tachograph:
mmeessii:
I have heard today that they are planning to do drivers assessments on existing staff because we as a whole are having too many accidents. What do you think is that reasonable? It’s sounds like you are really applying for your existing job. To me, it would be only fair if those who have the most accidents would be reassessed. Your thoughts ? TIAAs said, it’s common practice with a lot of companies to have regular driver assessments, but if I worked for a company that was just starting to do driver assessments for existing drivers my first question to the employer would be “what happens to anyone who fails the assessment?”, surely you need this to be established before accepting new practices of driver assessment.
Do you think it’s unreasonable of an employer to dismiss a driver that failed a reasonable assessment?
stu675:
tachograph:
mmeessii:
I have heard today that they are planning to do drivers assessments on existing staff because we as a whole are having too many accidents. What do you think is that reasonable? It’s sounds like you are really applying for your existing job. To me, it would be only fair if those who have the most accidents would be reassessed. Your thoughts ? TIAAs said, it’s common practice with a lot of companies to have regular driver assessments, but if I worked for a company that was just starting to do driver assessments for existing drivers my first question to the employer would be “what happens to anyone who fails the assessment?”, surely you need this to be established before accepting new practices of driver assessment.
Do you think it’s unreasonable of an employer to dismiss a driver that failed a reasonable assessment?
I suppose it depends to some extent on the drivers length of service and why he/she failed the driver assessment, but if we’re talking about a driver that’s worked for a company for a while then yes I certainly do think it would be unreasonable to immediately sack the driver rather than try to train him/her to a better standard.
Our place don’t do yearly assessments, but they get the driver trainer to watch one hour of random camera footage for every driver, once per year. We never know which hour they’ll watch. A couple of drivers have been sacked for “driving too close”.
tachograph:
I suppose it depends to some extent on the drivers length of service and why he/she failed the driver assessment, but if we’re talking about a driver that’s worked for a company for a while then yes I certainly do think it would be unreasonable to immediately sack the driver rather than try to train him/her to a better standard.
That is the idea behind the assesment in the first place. However if a long standing employee cannot pass an assesment drive then there is something very wrong.
Shouldn’t matter what length of service they have as to whether or not they are suitable to drive or what their fate is due to the assesment. If they are dangerous to be out on the road then they are to be treat like any employee of any length of service.
^^^^^
I’m sure companies will have their own standards but typically you don’t have to be a dangerous driver to fail a driver assessment.
Yearly where I work, both for agency and core drivers
njl:
polytrotter:
We now do these yearly, the only advantage is 7 hrs off the dcpc bollox…[emoji109][emoji109]Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk
Do they asses you for 7 hours then upload you a CPC module?
Ours re-do you annually but its just multiple choice on highway code, vechicle checks, couple up, local route for 30 min then park and uncouple.
I don’t recall it taking more than 2 or 3 hours.
Our trainer/assessor is with us once a year we do a local job inc coupling up/paperwork then tea break en route, lunch on way back, back to yard, more paperwork and hey presto = 7hrs dcpc completed [emoji106][emoji106]
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You would hope that, as a company any assessment that highlighted ‘improvement opportunities’, they would seek to improve the drivers standards and not just sack him. Afterall, drivers are meant to be an asset to the company and improving that asset makes more sense than sitting them in a classroom for 7hrs teaching them to ■■■■ eggs.
Further, I once went for an assessment for a job. We drove around for a bit, reversed on a bay etc. Then the assessor had a 20 min chat with me. Gave me hints & tips on how to drive better. He then took me out again then passed me. Best assessment I’ve ever had, shame it was for the worst job I’ve ever done.
I know DHL do a yearly assessment and an additional bi yearly development day. It’s pretty much standard practice with big companies these days. Your assessment is usually a 60 minute drive and the development day is a whole shift.
If a biggish Company is any good they will have Assessors who have been through all Driver Training courses to the extent they could qualify as instructors. A smallish Company might get a Company in to do the assessing. Even better some will even put its Drivers through their Advanced Driving Test
mmeessii:
Hi all,I have heard today that they are planning to do drivers assessments on existing staff because we as a whole are having too many accidents. What do you think is that reasonable? It’s sounds like you are really applying for your existing job. To me, it would be only fair if those who have the most accidents would be reassessed. Your thoughts ? TIA
Quite ironic drivers who want to be treated as professionals complaining about assessment. People in proper professions are constantly being assessed.
It’s not just accidents that are the issue, it’s loads shifting/getting damaged and tacho infringements too. Why are you worried, surely you do the job properly don’t you?
Absolutely do think it’s reasonable, there’s an ever increasing amount of drivers who shouldn’t be behind the wheel of a wagon. We get regularly assessed where I am, its about every 3-6 months. Not that big of a deal, the assessors are drivers too, know who does the job properly and who doesn’t so for those they know do it right it’s just a quick tick box exercise. Those who are found to be lacking get training, those who don’t change eventually get a P45 when they inevitably come unstuck.
You’re not applying for your existing job, you’re justifying why an employer should continue to let you loose unsupervised with what could be a couple of hundred grand of kit plus £10,000s on the load. As usual those who are competent and do the job right have nothing to fear, those who don’t or have been doing it wrong so long they’ve forgotten how may need to worry although the less serious will just get some retraining.
lolipop:
If a biggish Company is any good they will have Assessors who have been through all Driver Training courses to the extent they could qualify as instructors. A smallish Company might get a Company in to do the assessing. Even better some will even put its Drivers through their Advanced Driving Test
+1
Assessments are definitely a necessity. One problem though is the type of driver who can drive to a good standard when out on assessment then the following day back to bully tactics.
Unfortunately it happens.