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The Effect Of Vehicle Tracking On The Fleet Driver
While fleet GPS systems have been in general operation for some considerable time and accepted as a necessary and intrinsic part of running a modern, competitive service, it is still true for most fleet enterprises who introduce a mobile workforce tracking system for the first time, that its transition phase should be carefully managed to minimise any negative impact on all company staff. Its’ introduction should be seen as being essential to key company improvement and integrated efficiency. It is vitally important that the workforce understand the undoubted widespread success of commercial vehicle tracking systems for the overwhelming majority of fleet operating industries. The impact on reducing running costs and carbon emissions, enhancing efficiency management, raising productivity and improving customer service is crucial to survival in today’s, fleet industry. Therefore, each member of the company workforce should recognise that they should play their part. By ensuring every small saving and productivity increase as seen as central to company growth in toughening competitive markets and ongoing uncertain economic conditions, employees become more responsible and aware of their individual contribution. However, successful deployment is almost entirely reliant on being introduced within a productivity incentive and reward package. Ultimately, this will also involve differences between business use and personal use of company owned vehicles. It is strongly advised that company vehicle drivers should not only be clearly notified in advance that a tracking system will be fitted but also all the reasons why it is being fitted alongside receiving comprehensive training. How the system works and the exact nature of the data to be collected and what its use will be must be clearly shown as an intended to benefit everyone at the company. However, as well as understanding and appreciating all the practical reasons the company needs to obtain the information that will be provided by the system and why it is needed to help with business efficiency and improvement, it is important that staff are made fully aware that it is also part of an employer’s Duty of Care obligations to employees. If concerns and objections are still being raised, then further discussions held in private with individuals concerned should occur, and possibly legal advice should be sought if agreement cannot be reached. A more sensitive issue is likely to be the collection of data on the vehicle’s movements outside of business hours / working time. Drivers would be most concerned that data could be used to obtain information about their private lives and may be viewed as an infringement of their human rights. It is recommended that an official company policy statement be drawn up which makes absolutely clear that the data collected by the system will only be accessed for data relating to working hours only, unless the vehicle is stolen or involved in an accident. Employees need to know as to who will have access to the data and its’ use for business. In addition to a stated policy document, individual company contracts of employment should be amended to include a clause which allows for the fitting and/or use of the system in any vehicles provide for company/personal use. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com www.cybit.co.uk are the UK's Leading Supplier of Vehicle Based Telematics Services, GPS Vehicle Tracking, Fleet Tracking, Trailer Tracking with customisable added value application modules, who deliver an extensive portfolio of advanced vehicle tracking solutions to over 2,000 enterprises across a wide-range of industries. UKAS accredited to ISO 9001:2000, Cybit's dedicated professional services team can provide guidance to legislation compliance, Human Resource Management and Duty of Care best practice. |
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