Seeing driver agencies as partners and the staff they provide as equals to direct employees was core to a session delivered by C9 Recruitment Commercial Director Daniel Lunn at The Big Coach Conversation on 27 March.
He says that where last-minute and emergency cover is to be provided, it is beneficial for operators to have created a pool of ‘approved’ drivers from those suppliers that know the client’s expectations of them before arriving.
How temporary drivers are paid also came in for scrutiny. On the longstanding debate around self-employed versus PAYE, Mr Lunn notes that use of self-employed drivers can ultimately bring issues with Traffic Commissioners.
“HMRC is also cracking down and operators could face penalties for engaging ‘non-legitimate’ drivers,” he continues. C9 advises close attention to quotes for agency drivers that seem too good to be true and for operators to examine closely any expenses claimed by temporary staff.
He continues: “Our message is to avoid the use of self-employed drivers. Any that are legitimately self-employed are very rare, and in an extreme situation, use of self-employed drivers could be considered O-Licence lending.” Also risky is paying a day rate for temporary drivers, which could take them below the National Minimum Wage.
Agencies can help an operator to grow, with an example of that being a business in Oxfordshire that was bidding on a large school contract. It found recruitment challenging in an economically strong area, but C9 was able to assist, and some of the drivers it provided have moved to full-time employment with the operator.
“Our message is clear: Compliance is our priority, and it should be yours too,” concludes Mr Lunn.
