Suspension

QuietStream · December 2005

I have a Driver who damaged one our trucks and it will cost over 4,000 to repair. He is good a employee, tested negative on drug/alcohol. Upper management want this employee to be suspended the maximum time allowed. Is there a maximum suspension time? if not what would be reasonable suspension without pay. we don't have a policy stating the time frame of suspensions.

Gillian3 · December 2005

There are no legalities involved, so this is a "what do you want your policy to be" issue. What will it take to get this employee, and others, to understand that what was done was a bad thing and shouldn't happen again? Generally, suspensions are 3 days to a week. More than that is counterproductive, I think.

POPEYE · December 2005

I think you would want the punishment to fit the crime. Was this truly an accident or was it negligence on the part of the driver?

As was previously stated, most of our suspensions are l week or less unless there was blantant, intentional bypassing of safety rules.

QuietStream · December 2005

It was a mis-judgement on his part, trying to get in the loading dock in a hurry. I could say it was negligence

Balloonman1 · December 2005

Go with a one week suspension.............

marc · December 2005

Well, the maximum time allowed for suspension is ....... forever. But that just won't do.

Kent · December 2005

You just need to be sure management understands this is the policy from now on. It wouldn't be advisable to suspend this driver for a week and then the next one for 3 days because it's the busy season or another driver just quit and your shorthanded.

Wildsporty · December 2005

I agree that it would depend on the driver's part in the damage of the truck. Was it the driver's fault.

If it was the driver's fault I agree a week is fair.

The first thing I would do is get with management and write up a policy. It needs to be signed by management and it needs to be given to all the drivers. It will also need to be enforced.

Shirley

WT · December 2005

Decide what you want to do and then do it. I have suspended employees for various periods of time. The longest suspension was 102 days so do not limit yourself.

E Wart · December 2005

In a prior life we had a policy that if an employee driving a company vehicle had an at fault accident which caused damage to our vehicle, they would have to reimburse the company for the deductible (which I think was $500.) Don't know if that is legal in all States. Also, can cause problems since employee may not let you know when he does have an accident (if no one else invovled) and just say he picked up vehicle that morning and it was there. (You must have a good inspection policy as well.) If it is a "gross misconduct" and at fault, I would say suspend a week. If bad weather and employee not able to stop and hit car in front, I would question whether suspension was warrented.... even though at fault.E Wart

Balloonman1 · December 2005

E Wart,
If there was bad weather and they were not able to stop they were not driving safely. They would be following to closely for conditions. Sorry if you rear end someone it should always be considered an at fault accident.

My $0.02 worth.
The Balloonman

Suspension

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