Pizza delivery man woes

Fay_elizabeth

Hi all,
My boyfriend just got a job after claiming Jobseekers allowance and housing benefit for roughly 4 weeks after he was laid off from his previous job. His new job is a pizza delivery man for Dominos, its rubbish pay at £6.11 (In south London) and its only 20 hours a week, barely enough for his rent and bills let alone anything else. But he says he'd rather work for a living than stay on benefits.

Today he parked his Dominos smart car on a residential street with the permit in place on the dash board and went and completed one of his deliveries. When he returned he found the car had been towed by Lambeth council for not displaying a permit. He phoned them up and was told he would have to pay £425 to release the vehicle. He phoned Dominos straight away and they told him that he personally would have to pay for it. They said if he prefers they can pay the council the lump sum and then take it back out of his wages.

I am shocked! Can they really make him pay for the release of one of THEIR vehicles?

Vejovis

as far as i'm aware, employees for any firm are responsible for any parking/motoring transgressions while the vehicle is in their care, i imagine this extends to towing fees as well.

jojo_2012_2

they really had time to come and tow his car while he was delivering a pizza, was it canary wharf 25th floor?

lynzpower

what is in the company handbook and contract?

poppellerant

Pay it, then take it up with the council as you say he displayed a permit yet they towed him for not displaying a permit.

tigeress289

As already stated ,he is responsible for the delivery car and has to pay. However, he may have a recourse through the appeal of the ticket. The forum on parking is the best place for this and advise to post there. You have a chance, which is better than nothing.

lynzpower

Who is the registered keeper of the vehicle?

chrisvaldez

Having worked previously for Domino's, I know they will not pay for the ticket. Similarly, any speeding/red light fines (not that I ever got any of course! ) we were liable for.

Unfortunately, the most he can do is take it up privately with the council. Domino's would never lend a hand to help out unless it was an issue where the company insurance kicked in (such as when 'one of us' rear ended a driver on the job.)

Oh, and incidentally, a word of warning.....from the branch I worked at, if we were in cars with Domino's cones/livery, we used to get pulled over all the time by the local Road Policing Unit. It would seem they saw us as people who are in too much of a rush to put seatbelts on, check our tread etc......not sure what the Met are like in your area, but just a polite reminder to pass on to your BF that we were always on our guard and extra vigilant with care of our vehicles so he may wish to do the same if he's not already (though I'm sure he is )

Oh, and before I veer off topic....if he's Domino's, tell him to claim his 'uniform tax rebate' back that Martin advertises....I did it and it worked! It all helps!

Fay_elizabeth

Thank you all for your advice, particularly chrisvaldez. I will pass on the info to my boyfriend.
It seems so unfair that he now has to pay out nearly a months wages. Oh well.

ohreally

He may consider joining a trade union for future issues arising.

I believe Unite may organise within this employer.

macman

Fay_elizabeth wrote: »

Thank you all for your advice, particularly chrisvaldez. I will pass on the info to my boyfriend.
It seems so unfair that he now has to pay out nearly a months wages. Oh well.

If the permit was displayed, then he won't have to pay anything-he must dispute the penalty.