Clamping!

th283

Hi guys i'm not sure if i'm posting this in the right forum, but its worth a try!

My workplace recently leased our car park to a parking company, who charge by the hour and staff parking was moved to another free car park. I parked in the pay car park today and paid like any member of the public. But they clamped me claiming that me bring a staff member "invalidates" my parking ticket! Is this legal???

Larbre34

It depends on their contract. Your employer as the owner or leaseholder of the carpark site can attach whatever conditions it likes to the terms of operation of the carpark, as they see fit. If having their contractor clamp their own staff is seen as desirable (or indeed good employee relations) then its absolutely fine. Not pleasant Ill grant you, but perfectly legal.

Moved to motors

Orion

I would ask the question how the clamping/parking company knew that you were an employee. While it may be legal to clamp a car with a valid parking ticket it sounds like a breach of confidentiality or data protection for them to know that.

djimi

None of its legal really, buts thats possibly another debate...

Was it made clear to staff that they cannot use this car park? Are there signs posted around the car park informing staff that they must not use it?

Have you spoken to your employer about this? If they hire the clampers then they have the power to have the clamp removed.

dudara

I'd speak to your Facilities team (or whoever is in charge of the parking arrangements) to understand if this is allowed under the arrangement. If it is, then I'd ask why you weren't informed about it, and furthermore, how did the clamping company know you were an employee.

I'd also think about submitting an expenses claim for the cost of the de-clamping. Although that is a little cheeky.

jhegarty

Did the sign in the carpark list this exception ?

th283

Thanks for your replies, apparently when my workplace leased out the car park they supplied the company with the reg numbers of all the staff because the parking company also monitor the new staff car park.

My guess would be that the OP had a sticker of some sort on his car to allow him to park in the other car park.

Edit: Nevermind

Kenny Logins

Tell them you were off work that day.

BMJD

th283 wrote: »

I parked in the pay car park today and paid like any member of the public.

then it seems to me that you are perfectly entitled to use the car park, they can't just "ban" any number of cars because of your occupation!

th283

I just spoke to a manager, they said they were not aware that this could happen as far as they were concerned if an employee wanted to pay to park there they would be treated like any other member of the public. there are no signs etc about this in the car park nor is there anything in the information we received when the car park changed hands! the management are now on the phone to the parking company, so fingers crossed I don't have to fork out to get the clamp off!

th283

I just spoke to a manager, they said they were not aware that this could happen as far as they were concerned if an employee wanted to pay to park there they would be treasured like any other member of the public. there are no signs etc about this in the car park nor is there anything in the information we received when the car park changed hands! the management are now on the phone to the parking company, so fingers crossed I don't have to fork out to get the clamp off!

djimi

BMJD wrote: »

then it seems to me that you are perfectly entitled to use the car park, they can't just "ban" any number of cars because of your occupation!

They probably can in fairness; I used to work in a supermarket where employees were not allowed to use the car park, but we were all made well aware of this in advance.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Buy an angle grinder, remove one link etc.

Or better yet, the clamp removing magic fairy could help!

Guy:Incognito

BMJD wrote: »

they can't just "ban" any number of cars because of your occupation!

I'd disagree. They own the place. They can ban all red cars if they want.

Supergurrier

Charge employee's by the hour to park the car while working and then if they park elsewhere clamp them.

Sounds legit

Guy:Incognito

Supergurrier wrote: »

Charge employee's by the hour to park the car while working and then if they park elsewhere clamp them.

Sounds legit

Good job they didn't do that so. They moved the employees to a free car park elsewhere and the old one is now pay parking for the public.

th283

Hi there so after a lot of phonecalls, checking of contracts and talking to the owner of the parking company the clamp was removed without me having to pay. It wasn't written anywhere that staff could not use the car park if they paid, so they didn't have any excuse, especially when it was pointed out that other members of staff were parked nearby and not clamped.

Thanks for all your replies

pheelay

th283 wrote: »

the clamp was removed without me having to pay

Why do I feel like this post should be framed and put on a wall somewhere. :pac:
A rare "victory"! Well done OP.