We had an employee scrape a work truck against a parked car today. The worst part about is was he did not tell us. When we noticed a scratch and small dent on the side of a truck at the end of the day we asked him about it. He replied that he had hit a parked car… got out and looked for damage and didn’t see any to either vehicle so he left.
Because he did not “notice” any damage to our truck we are a little worried that he may have not “noticed” any damage to their car. Not really sure what we are going to do about this one but one thing is for sure… all incidents must be reported and at the very least he will get a warning.
Any thoughts… or anyone have a similar experience?
I used to run a 100 plus fleetof trucks when I worked in auto glass.
In the case of any vehicle accident our policy was:
Urinalysis. No exceptions at fault or not.
Call the office after you have contacted authorities. No exceptions at fault or not.
Hit and run = termination. It says a lot about a person’s integrity that they just drove away. Damage or not, you don’t just leave.
Although these were published in an employee handbook, every year we had to let go of a good installer because of it. What else has he hidden because you didn’t happen to catch it? Wonder how many customers won’t use you again because of stuff he didn’t see “damage” on?
How long have you had this employee? He’s damaged other things beside this hit and run?I worked for a company for years never damaged anything if he’s that accident prone or not careful then he’s going to cost you more money than he’s making you.wait til he falls off a ladder and your insurance goes up to pay his bills.cut um
I busted a window TWICE on a work van in a matter of two months in my carpet cleaning days. First time, boss let insurance cover it. Second time, I ate the $400+ replacement. Both times I said something, though. He wasn’t happy but was quick to let it go. Had I not said anything at all it’s likely he wouldn’t have been as forgiven.
For not saying anything and taking off, there has to be some sort of consequence to that. I’d be more upset about him leaving the scene more than the dent.
You need to do something cause not only his reason was lame but he left the scene and that is worse then add in the hush hush attitude. From the picture you can see the crease so if he cant see it what screw up is he doing on the jobsite ? The accident not the issue we all have them one time or another. The lack of judgement when he just put the company on the hook.
Now you have to worry for the next few days if anyone saw this and if they can bring up video of parking lot and see him leaving after he knew he hit the truck.
Not saying Fire him but write up is a must and make him sign. And if you can mess with him make him a non driver ( more then one man crew) until he proves he is responsible LOL
Another car story lol: I hit a bumper once in a parking lot. Waited for the owner to get back. Turns out it was a cop and he was wigging out as if I’d just run over 20 puppies. Once it was sorted out, I saw someone who’d seen me hit the bumper. I wouldn’t have been let off the hook on that one if I’d sped away. Hopefully no one saw but definitely take care of it!
Spoke with the local police department today. Nothing was reported yesterday so they weren’t interested in filling out a report. They have my employee’s name but aren’t going to press any charges because there is currently no other party. If anybody calls an accident in things may change.
In other news, our other truck was hit today when it was parked in front of a residential. The driver did not get away. Karma is a bitch.
I had two different customers with Hurd aka turd windows last week. Both had seal leak issues and one with broken plastic corners on the screens (10 out of 45 screens). We made sure to point out the issues before starting.
You cant dock pay without it in writing in handbook and even then i think thats illegal.I pay rt drive time for my drivers and theya re responsible for vehicle condition-avoiding parking tickets when possible-alerting me on maintenance and all gear in truck.Some get 20 hrs ot per week for this so revocation of driving priveledges or loss of return travel time hurts them financially (you arent required to pay travel time to or from jobs but you are on hook for Work Comp if they are injured in your vehicle). Like others posted it s the hit and run aspect that concerns me but if he reports damage on jobsites then give him a break this time and only this time
