My employer/transport manager is saying they have an issue with my data from my tacho card. It seems that when they download my card it shows the shift start time and shift finish time as 00:00 and 00:00 (+01:00 and +01:00 if BST) so on their screen it looks as if I’ve been working 168h a week. This only happens if when I jump in my truck at the start of my shift and do a manual entry to state I was resting since my card was removed the day before. If I say no to a manual entry it lists the times correctly on their software. So if the manual entry is for rest since the time I took my card out and it spans 2 days the start and finish time states midnight to midnight, but doesn’t if I refuse to do the manual entry.
Has anyone ever had this issue on their software? I suspect they need to change some setting on their software, maye something that relates to how they report the drivers shift hours as their time not in the machine or something of that nature.
I should also state that on my app that I use immediately after they’ve downloaded my card I download my card and the manual entries and card in and out times are correct and show everything as it should be. I used the app to keep track of any WTD infringements when I was new to using a digital tacho card and it’s been a great help.
I always state my rest time and other work on days when I’m not in the truck but instead just pottering about the workplace when not required to drive as a manual entry on the day that I’m back in the truck.
I’m aware of the importance of doing manual entries given the changes in 2022 and don’t mind doing them as they’re easy to do and save me having to carry paper printouts with me but now my employers are saying to say no to manual entries on the VDO so if I want them I have to do them do them on paper.
They are getting onto me about the fact that they don’t have any records of my start and finish times even though we clock in through an app. I almost always have matched my manual entries up to my clocking in times so everything is straight, we’re paid based on our clocking in times but they are saying that if DVSA come in they won’t know what to show them for my driving card stats. They’ve even said that they think I’m doing manual entries wrong, which I’m not as I checked with all the youtube videos and given that my app states them correctly I know they are correct but their software isn’t reporting all my data on their current settings.
Please can someone shed some light on what to do for both myself and the employer.
Whatever data is on your card when downloaded will show up in tachomaster or whatever software they use whether VU data or manual entries. If there is an issue when doing manual entries are you certain you are doing them correctly.
Are they also downloading the VU head on the truck/s as that will also provide all info stored in the head unit.
Never had any issue with tachomaster not showing all info downloaded from my cards.
I can’t really see a reason why tachomaster is not showing the data and your app is. There isn’t really any settings I can think of that would make a difference in tachomaster. It is simply download and done, you can change some parameters for things like night time working hours and other bits and bobs like that.
I’d guess a problem with the reading of the card with their reader or corrupted download files possibly.
Franglais:
It sounds to me that you are correct in thinking there is some issue with their software, or their use of such.
Can we assume it is a small company, and you are the only driver? That the TM is not really up to speed?
If they are suggesting that you are incorrect in your method of making manual entries, then let them show you the correct method. This is their job!
There are 6 other drivers who don’t do manual entries so theirs all show the times. It’s a fairly large firm but haulage isn’t their reason for being as we deliver the product to the customers.
As for the software they are using, because it shows times for the other drivers who aren’t doing manual entries they are only questioning me, I can only think that their software needs some setting changed to show the “Card In/Out” time rather than what it currently shows which is “Shift Start/Finish”. Our shift starts when we clock in and out but that isn’t necessarily the “Card In/Out” time.
Just noticed you didn’t mention the software they are using to download your card. I thought somewhere you said it was tachomaster. So yes it could be an issue with whatever software they are using to download the card.
Franglais:
It sounds to me that you are correct in thinking there is some issue with their software, or their use of such.
Can we assume it is a small company, and you are the only driver? That the TM is not really up to speed?
If they are suggesting that you are incorrect in your method of making manual entries, then let them show you the correct method. This is their job!
There are 6 other drivers who don’t do manual entries so theirs all show the times. It’s a fairly large firm but haulage isn’t their reason for being as we deliver the product to the customers.
As for the software they are using, because it shows times for the other drivers who aren’t doing manual entries they are only questioning me, I can only think that their software needs some setting changed to show the “Card In/Out” time rather than what it currently shows which is “Shift Start/Finish”. Our shift starts when we clock in and out but that isn’t necessarily the “Card In/Out” time.
If it exists, what would that setting be under?
Without knowing what software they are using it’s impossible to tell if it is a software issue.
Franglais:
It sounds to me that you are correct in thinking there is some issue with their software, or their use of such.
Can we assume it is a small company, and you are the only driver? That the TM is not really up to speed?
If they are suggesting that you are incorrect in your method of making manual entries, then let them show you the correct method. This is their job!
There are 6 other drivers who don’t do manual entries so theirs all show the times. It’s a fairly large firm but haulage isn’t their reason for being as we deliver the product to the customers.
As for the software they are using, because it shows times for the other drivers who aren’t doing manual entries they are only questioning me, I can only think that their software needs some setting changed to show the “Card In/Out” time rather than what it currently shows which is “Shift Start/Finish”. Our shift starts when we clock in and out but that isn’t necessarily the “Card In/Out” time.
If it exists, what would that setting be under?
I wouldn`t start to guess. If you know the software being used by your office, then maybe someone here is using the same and can advise you?
Being a smaller non haulier it seems to me that your management are not up to scratch. If other drivers are failing to make the legally required entries on their cards then they are the problem, not you!
It really should be the TM sorting it out.
I appreciate that you are going above and beyond what you need to do to aid them, and power to you for that, but at some point they should take responsibility, not you.
EDIT. Posted same time as Simcor. Agreed, for help with software you`d need to be specific.
simcor:
Just noticed you didn’t mention the software they are using to download your card. I thought somewhere you said it was tachomaster. So yes it could be an issue with whatever software they are using to download the card.
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I am going to find out… it was a bit sweaty in there on friday afternoon. When I do find out what the software is called I’ll be emailing myself to show work. I won’t mention my workplace name to them but I’ll explain my situation and the issue with what it reports back.
simcor:
Just noticed you didn’t mention the software they are using to download your card. I thought somewhere you said it was tachomaster. So yes it could be an issue with whatever software they are using to download the card.
Sent from my CPH2173 using Tapatalk
I am going to find out… it was a bit sweaty in there on friday afternoon. When I do find out what the software is called I’ll be emailing myself to show work. I won’t mention my workplace name to them but I’ll explain my situation and the issue with what it reports back.
Keep names out of public forums, yes.
Also make sure you keep all of your entries legal.
If the management do try to make you follow the other drivers, dont be tempted. It doesnt sound like you would, so keep on unless they actually show you anything you are doing wrong.
Dont put yourself in the wrong to make life easy for a lazy or incompetent manager. (Thats put in for all readers not just the OP!)
Franglais:
I wouldn`t start to guess. If you know the software being used by your office, then maybe someone here is using the same and can advise you?
Being a smaller non haulier it seems to me that your management are not up to scratch. If other drivers are failing to make the legally required entries on their cards then they are the problem, not you!
It really should be the TM sorting it out.
I appreciate that you are going above and beyond what you need to do to aid them, and power to you for that, but at some point they should take responsibility, not you.
EDIT. Posted same time as Simcor. Agreed, for help with software you`d need to be specific.
I agree, the other drivers can do as they wish, I won’t tread on their toes but because they don’t and they haven’t been pulled for it I seem like the bad apple. The problem is I’ve been there less than 2 years so they can send me packing if I don’t do as they wish. I don’t know if they want to already.
Once I find out what their software is called I’ll be able to contact the software firm myself and find out what they need to change. I posted the problem on here because I wasn’t sure if any other firms had seen a similar issue when checking card data. It might be the case that they need to check a simple setting box to say “Show Card In/Out time in Report”.
simcor:
Keep names out of public forums, yes.
Also make sure you keep all of your entries legal.
If the management do try to make you follow the other drivers, dont be tempted. It doesnt sound like you would, so keep on unless they actually show you anything you are doing wrong.
Dont put yourself in the wrong to make life easy for a lazy or incompetent manager. (Thats put in for all readers not just the OP!)
I think until I manage to speak to the software firm and my workplace change their settings I’m going to have to do manual entries on the printout paper to cover myself at the roadside. It’s going to be a real pain but it’s doable. I assume that once I put my card in and say “No” to manual entry I do a print out straight away to state I was resting from card out time yesterday to card in time today and keep that in my diary for 28 days.
My tacho unit is a pain, it’s a Mercedes tacho and prints both a Gen1 and Gen2 printout on the same piece so it’s usually about 3 foot long. Any ideas on how to get it to just print out the Gen2 printout?
Just carry on doing your manual entries if you are sure they are correct and your tacho apps showing all the correct data. The issue sounds like their problem and isn’t yours.
It’s highly likely the company of the software they use won’t deal with you as you’re not the end user of the software.
If they have issues with the software or even hardware they need to speak to the provider if the software.
The TM is right to investigate it, shame they didn’t do it very well. Rather than simply blame the driver, they could watch you make the manual entry, fo the download & analysis and see the outcome.
Typically one of three things - driver error, TM error in the set up or card error, the latter being the least likely.
simcor:
Just noticed you didn’t mention the software they are using to download your card. I thought somewhere you said it was tachomaster. So yes it could be an issue with whatever software they are using to download the card.
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I am going to find out…
Are they not supplying monthly driver reports that require your signature? If so then the software should be easily identifiable. If they’re not, well… they’re storing up a mess of problems for themselves for audit time.
simcor:
Just noticed you didn’t mention the software they are using to download your card. I thought somewhere you said it was tachomaster. So yes it could be an issue with whatever software they are using to download the card.
Sent from my CPH2173 using Tapatalk
I am going to find out…
Are they not supplying monthly driver reports that require your signature? If so then the software should be easily identifiable. If they’re not, well… they’re storing up a mess of problems for themselves for audit time.
Why is that then? Both large companies I worked for and my current large employer don’t issue monthly reports from tachomaster to us. The only time we get anything is if we have an infringement and it’s all done on a tablet now. Or did you mean infringements reports monthly?
simcor:
Just noticed you didn’t mention the software they are using to download your card. I thought somewhere you said it was tachomaster. So yes it could be an issue with whatever software they are using to download the card.
Sent from my CPH2173 using Tapatalk
I am going to find out…
Are they not supplying monthly driver reports that require your signature? If so then the software should be easily identifiable. If they’re not, well… they’re storing up a mess of problems for themselves for audit time.
Why is that then? Both large companies I worked for and my current large employer don’t issue monthly reports from tachomaster to us. The only time we get anything is if we have an infringement and it’s all done on a tablet now. Or did you mean infringements reports monthly?
Sent from my CPH2173 using Tapatalk
Sometimes it’s good management to let drivers know they are doing it right and only give the bad news. But that’s good management and that rarely happens
Why don’t you carry on doing manual entries and take a printout daily to show there’s nothing wrong with your entries. Not your problem if it’s 3 feet long.
If your doing your manual entries correctly (I’m not saying your not but make sure you are ) then do not change what your doing . A change in routine can be used against you at a latter date as “evidence” that you were wrong . Stick to what your doing and politely tell them that It’s their problem with the settings of their software.Don’t make their problems yours