Do I need to pay for damage??

fred78

I accidentally damaged a customers carpet and my employer wants me to pay nearly £700 for new carpet. My employer doesn't want to use there insurance, they told me the excess is £500. Do I have to pay £700.

z1a

Not if you haven't agreed to it in any contract.

nimbo

Part of me is wondering what you've done?

E.g. BBQ in front room yes it was negligent and the insurance shouldn't cover acts of stupidity.

When pulling it up the carpet to repair floor boards or access pipe under in the course of your work- the the employer should suck up the excess payment.

How big is the room and was it actually £700 to replace?

McKneff

Your company should have public liability. This is what its for

tacpot12

What z1a said. Look to your contract. if it says you have to pay, then pay. Otherwise don't.

fred78

Knocked over blowtorch (unlit) after I used it and damaged very small bit of carpet. It's a big carpet

Undervalued

fred78 wrote: »

Knocked over blowtorch (unlit) after I used it and damaged very small bit of carpet. It's a big carpet

One of the many distinctions between an employee and a self employed person is who pays for any damage or mistakes.

As others have said if you are an employee then, unless there is a specific clause in your contract, the employer cannot make you pay.

However, if they think you have been negligent (or worse) they could of course take disciplinary action which could, in the extreme, result in dismissal. Based on what you have said that is very unlikely in this situation unless you have a history of similar issues.

The practical problem would be if the employer just goes ahead and deducts the money from your pay anyway, regardless of the legalities. That would almost certainly be unlawful but you would have to take legal action against your employer to recover the money. Not an ideal situation, so I would suggest you do all you can to resolve the situation amicably.

maisie_cat

a)Does your employer provide you with floor coverings to prevent such a thing? I assume you're a plumber.
b)Does the entire carpet really need replacing? it is possible to cut out the burnt bit and patch with a piece from a hidden spot.

Undervalued

maisie_cat wrote: »

a)Does your employer provide you with floor coverings to prevent such a thing? I assume you're a plumber.
b)Does the entire carpet really need replacing? it is possible to cut out the burnt bit and patch with a piece from a hidden spot.

There is no reason the householder should accept a less than ideal repair. That may well be what they would do if they had damaged the carpet themselves but not when it is a "professional's" fault.

gettingtheresometime

maisie_cat wrote: »

a)Does your employer provide you with floor coverings to prevent such a thing? I assume you're a plumber.
b)Does the entire carpet really need replacing? it is possible to cut out the burnt bit and patch with a piece from a hidden spot.

I would be less than impressed if a firm, whose employee had damaged my carpet suggested this !

Guest101

Your employer is liable to the customer and needs to repair it - that is without question.


your employer needs to mitigate their loss, so is the repair is £700, and insurance claim is £500, they can only pursue you for the lower amount - if they can pursue you at all.