Employer dictating employees free time

Littleredteapot

My oh works for a local company who have a contract in a remote location 7 hours drive from their home base. He’s working on this contract for 10 days at a time, home for 4. The company supplies vehicles for the employees to use to travel to the job and provides accommodation 2 minutes drive from site. Employees share vehicles but wouldn’t be covered for fuel costs if they took their own.

They have been told they are no longer allowed to use company vans for getting groceries - it’s a 3 hour round trip to nearest supermarket and he’d go after work or on his Sunday half day, local shop is still a drive away and is closed by the time work is finished and on Sundays.

They are no longer allowed to go to the pub after work.

They are not allowed to leave site on their break (unpaid).

They have said it’s due to vans not being insured for social use.

To me this feels wrong, but I’m not sure if legally they are within their rights to do this due to the insurance issue. Does anyone have any advice on or is it a case of put up and shut up?

Ps he is looking for another job but they’re few and far between in our area.

KatrinaWaves

Your post is unclear. You say that they are telling them what to do in their own time but then tak almost exclusively about work vehicles.

Are you saying they can no longer use the work vehicle for personal use which is impacting their free time? The company can dictate the use of their vehicles.

If he wants to drive to the pub and to the supermarket, he needs to take his own vehicle.

Littleredteapot

Yes I suppose you’ve summed it up. They are no longer allowed to use company vehicles to get shopping or go out. However because they are in such a remote area they are unable to get groceries because of this or leave their work site. Not everyone has their own vehicle they can take. It just seems unfair but I appreciate that legally the employers are right.

KatrinaWaves

Littleredteapot wrote: »

Yes I suppose you’ve summed it up. They are no longer allowed to use company vehicles to get shopping or go out. However because they are in such a remote area they are unable to get groceries because of this or leave their work site. Not everyone has their own vehicle they can take. It just seems unfair but I appreciate that legally the employers are right.

If it’s so remote can’t they just take it in turns to take a vehicle and share whilst there?

kazwookie

Get a home delivery to site after work, so they have food / drink etc

Work can say what their vans / cars are used for.

Or book a taxi to the shops etc

Littleredteapot

Thanks, unfortunately home delivery is unavailable in their area and it’s 40 miles to the nearest supermarket. They do take groceries but have limited fridge and freezer space as they are sharing caravan accommodation.

Littleredteapot

That’s not a bad idea - will suggest it. Thanks

getmore4less

What subsistence allowance are they getting?

DCFC79

Just a thought but maybe he needs to consider a change of job.

Dox

DCFC79 wrote: »

Just a thought but maybe he needs to consider a change of job.

See final sentence of OP's first post. He is!

OP - if fridge and freezer space is limited, look at things which can be stored without refrigeration. There are now many more of these products, some really aimed at the elderly but actually just as useful in this situation.

Alternatively, look at things which can be delivered by Royal Mail. They offer a nationwide service, however remote!

MovingForwards

Buy a table top fridge or freezer for extra space.

If you'd OH is happy to use his own car then he can self assess to reclaim mileage.

Have a bike in the van to go cycling when on lunch, but be careful riding after going the pub and drinking as I think that could land him in hot water.