It’s commonly accepted in most organisations that company directors sit above the car policy.
In other words, they can choose whichever vehicle they like (within reason) and are not restricted by a limited choice selected for their pay grade.
But should directors also be above a company’s risk policy?
It’s an interesting question and one I pose for a reason.
I had a meeting with a fleet manager recently who was telling me about their duty of care policies and I was impressed that they’d got their house in order; until he mentioned that his main challenge was getting the directors to comply with the rules.
“In what respect?” I asked.
“They continue to make and receive hands free telephone calls while on the move, even though we have a blanket policy not to,” he said.
“They also don’t complete the vehicle check sheet that we send out.”
His dilemma, he explained to me, was ‘who has the authority (and in fact the courage) to police these most senior people?’
It seemed almost not worth him risking his job to send them a notification that they were breaking the rules or ask them why they were failing to comply when others were expected to.
I offered to speak to them myself, however that was declined – and I suspect that this company, which is a sizeable organisation, will continue to operate in this fashion for the foreseeable future.
Many company directors will read this and be incredulous that this could happen.
Yet it’s not the first occasion in my career I’ve come across a scenario whereby safe driving policies are in place for staff but senior managers flout them.
All I ask is that if you fall into this category as a senior manager or company director yourself, please consider the negative impact it’s having on your business. Because one thing is for sure – the internal grapevine will ensure that every other driver knows you’re doing it!
Follow BusinessCar on TWITTER.
