Q: Can your employer require you to use your personal vehicle for business purposes?
My employer is requiring me to use my personal vehicle for work purposes. They are reimbursing mileage, so that is not the issue. The problem is that they would like me to transport computer equipment from one location to another. According to my auto insurance, their equipment I am transporting will not be covered should I happen to get into an at fault accident. I told my employer I am uncomfortable transporting their equipment and that I would rather not be responsible for it. Their response is that my insurance will cover if something happens. Can they legally require me to do this? I have read my employee handbook and nothing in there states that I have to transport equipment for them.
A: If the obligations for the transportation of equipment are not included in your employment contract, then the employer cannot force you to do it. I would recommend you to conclude an additional agreement with the employer in which to prescribe all the conditions and responsibilities for the transportation of equipment, including payment for this work and responsibility for the risk of accidental loss or damage to this equipment, not only caused by a traffic accident, but also theft, etc.
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