Boss alienating staff

TBagpuss

As it is a supermarket, presumably there are people who are senior to your boss, even if they are not on the premises. Do you have an HR department or regional manager whom you can contact.

I would also suggest that you check your contract to see what it says. It may be that your boss can require you to do deliveries rather than work on stock.

Check the company handbook / policies - what are the requirements for deliveries - it may well be that there is a competence test, or additional checks, for people who are driving company vehicles r making deliveries to the public. If so, tell you boss that you cannot drive the van as you have not done the required training, and notify HR / Regional manger that you boss is putting you under pressure to do so despite not having completed (or been offered) the necessary training and checks. 

Speak to your H&S rep at work to raise concerns about loading and unloading, if you have not been given that training. 

Ask about insurance - are you insured? Does the insurance cover you even if you have not had the appropriate training? 

If you find that the insurance does cover you, and that your contract does say 'other duties as assigned' then you may have to do the deliveries, but can still request that you are provided with the appropriate training and if you feel that due to your size you cannot do it safely, raise  that and ask for a H&S assessment and training before undertaking the work. 

bap98189

Quite - but my point stands: it is down to the employer to ensure the necessary insurance is in place and is valid for whoever is driving.

The police do not see it that way. It is up to the driver to ensure they have valid insurance and that the vehicle is roadworthy before they drive it.

Undervalued

bap98189 said:

Quite - but my point stands: it is down to the employer to ensure the necessary insurance is in place and is valid for whoever is driving.

The police do not see it that way. It is up to the driver to ensure they have valid insurance and that the vehicle is roadworthy before they drive it.

Indeed.

Ultimately, just like a ship or an aircraft the "captain" is responsible for the safety and legality of his "ship".

If an employee were to be dismissed for refusing to drive an uninsured or unroadworthy vehicle it would automatically be unfair dismissal regardless of their length of service etc.

oh_really

Is the op returning to their thread?