is a driver paid for waiting whilst during a period of availability?
Depends on what it says in your contract I would guess.
POA is a very useful tool for the employer. If you are at a drop and have to wait,lets say an hour,some employers tell you that you MUST put the tacho on POA. Breaks and POA are not included in the 48 hour average ref period rule. So if you are salaried,it is useful for certain employers to keep you out as long as legally possible. Bear in mind you need to make a note of your driving time as POA if on long enough will reset your tacho,but you will still pull an infringement for driving time.
Maximum bang for your buck-its the way of the world sadly.
Would you like to work for someone who does not pay for POA? Being a lorry driver is leasing.
The whole point of POA is to allow drivers to be “at work” (and as a result, being paid) without clocking up “working time”. Any driver who logs his time as POA without getting paid for it needs his bumps felt.
Other than insanity I can’t think of a reason why anyone would use POA if they don’t get paid for it.