GPS trackers in vans

unit 1 · 24-10-2010 9:43pm #1

Ok I admit I work for a coco and my job gives me great scope and lattitude for extravehicular activity (not abused btw, just your usual, trip to the shop, stop off somewhere for coffee just a tad longer than it should be etc ) Now under the CP deal the coco want to put trackers in our vans.
My question is, are they allowed to do this without my consent (I know they think they can but they always do) as it seems to me that in a country where they cannot tag criminals they seem to think its ok to "tag" employees.

As I said I do not abuse my transport but give and take and flexibility are part of every job even in the ps (I know as I also worked in the private sector)
As I said there has never been an issue with transport or abuse thereof they just seem to want to do it because they think they can, and cost doesnt seem to be a problem, unlike having to wait for more than 3 weeks for preapproved overtime of a few hours but I wont go into that here.:mad:

duckysauce · 24-10-2010 11:22pm

they can do it but must supply an off switch so you can switch it off outside work hours

the_syco · 25-10-2010 3:57am

If that ever happened to me, I'd be tempted to buy a Super Mini Cigarette Lighter GPS Blocker or something similar...

kenyard · 25-10-2010 4:22am

they would probably assume you turned it off then and questions would arise.. but yeah.. not my 2 cents either..
just make sure when you are visiting the mistress to turn it off just incase the logs are looked at....

bbam · 25-10-2010 2:48pm

I can't understand this, the vehicles belong to them, the GPS trackers will help ensure vehicles aren't abused or misused..

If you don't abuse the use of the vehicle there shouldn't be a problem...

It's like internet usage tracking programmes on computers... If you're not looking at porn it's nothing to worry about but it's there to catch those who do...

You'll find that they're doing this because there is a problem on some level and someone has been abusing the system..

Ordinary man · 25-10-2010 3:01pm

I can't see what the problem is as they own the van. I drove a van with one for a while and it never bothered me. The bosses knew exactly where i was and didn't have to ring me. The only ones bothered were the piss takers.

unit 1 · 25-10-2010 5:26pm

One mans abuse in another mans convenience.
Day 1, no guys you cannot bring your vans home, it's not policy.
Day 2, we're not paying someone overtime to open up the yard so you guys can get your vans to respond to a call out , why can't you bring them home like you always do.
Welcome to the ps:rolleyes:

In general my boss gives me work and I just go and do it, any changes he just calls me, it's called trust. The gps system installed will not be monitored by him but more likely an engineer in his office. Whilst tracking a courier for example would be ok I find it a bit rich spending money on a system to track people where the only thing that was important was knowing who was in attendance on any given day and sending the right guy to the job. Having sombody above your immediate supervisor monitoring peoples movements could lead to all sorts of misinterpretations and perceptions. Eventually he will become a slave to the machine and the information it imparts to him, which in many cases will have absolutely no relevance to how people carry out their duties. A lot of peoples foibles that are irrevelant suddenly are a problem because the tracker says it.

So what if you take the scenic route, it might be a better safer road imo.
So what if I occasionally take an unschedule stop or break, I might have a weak bladder.
So what if I drive slower than the other guys, hey my van aint as good.

In truth where these systems are not actully worhtwhile (the courier would be)they actually display a lack of confidence in management to deal with staff properly. There's not much point in being able to prove the van was somewhere if the guy driving it is not performing, when his performance is not measured by his driving.

And finally the moral issue. In a country where we cannot tag criminals why is it ok to tag employees, when it's not necessary.
Simple really it is'nt.

unit 1 · 25-10-2010 5:27pm

Ordinary man wrote: »

I can't see what the problem is as they own the van. I drove a van with one for a while and it never bothered me. The bosses knew exactly where i was and didn't have to ring me. The only ones bothered were the piss takers.

Surely most bosses know who the takers are without a gps.

bbam · 25-10-2010 7:53pm

unit 1 wrote: »

Surely most bosses know who the takers are without a gps.

Knowing who they are is one thing.... having the proof to hang them out is another

Mrs OBumble · 25-10-2010 10:32pm

The comparison with tracking criminals is bogus: they want to put the GPS in your van, not around your ankle.

Yes, it does matter that some guys drive faster (wasting fuel) or take scenic routes (taking longer, getting less work done). If you have medical issues (bladder) etc that affect your fitness for work, then they need to know about them.

I would have thought that GPS would be a pretty basic H&S requirement for employers with mobile workforces whose jobs could put them in a conflict situation with the public.

dan_d · 26-10-2010 9:00am

Hmm.....trust exists in most places with these systems.

Sounds to me like there are people in there abusing this. So you guys probably only have yourselves to blame. I understand your predicament OP - my OH has a company van - but the council are obviously realising that there are people in there who aren't doing the work they should be or are taking the p"&s with using the vans, and want to monitor them as a result. You might be fine, but others aren't. It's a like a class in school - punish the group for the actions of one person..tends to make the group pressure the one person into behaving themselves.

Either that or they are expecting this new tax to be brought in and they are jumping the gun a bit.Unlikely though. Given it's a county council. Unfortunately I think you'll have to put up with it.

ScouseMouse · 26-10-2010 9:10am

I think its a great idea.

As you say, you are only going where you have been told to go, so you are not doing anything wrong. If anything, it will show how good you are.

It will only show up abuse and any inappropriate use.

So what do you have to worry about?

Jagera · 26-10-2010 9:11am

Since you don't abuse the system, you have nothing to worry about.

I really doubt someone is going to sit down and replay your whole day's travels and then compare that to your expected route between all deliveries.

Have you asked your boss exactly what he/she is planning to monitor? Is it to monitor the staff's driving, or the whereabouts of the packages... ?

KamiKazi · 26-10-2010 11:30am

Friend of mine installs these for a living and the general consensus amongst employers is that any employee not willing to have one installed isn't worth employing.

Nonoperational · 28-10-2010 8:03pm

Agreed that it is a good idea. I can't see a problem with it at all.

GPS trackers in vans

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