The hidden benefits of COVID-19!

By: Anonymous Fleet Manager

Whilst acknowledging the significant impact that COVID-19 has had on our economy and workforce there have been some benefits arise from the restrictions.

First, isolating operators from the workshop has been a positive step. In particular, there has been a benefit in isolating those who just want to go to the workshop for a chat before they start their work as well as the consistent whingers.

Many workshops have isolated the contact point away from the workshop itself to comply with the social distancing rules. What a success that has been!

The mechanics are getting through work much more efficiently by not having whinging operators who really just want a chat to avoid going to work.

Second, who really needs a Council vehicle for work purposes only?

Why do some people in your organisation need dedicated vehicles allocated to them exclusively? I get that these measures can be incentives for some staff but not sure how good that is for the business.

It seems that this is the perfect time to change expectations and organisational culture about vehicle allocation. A Council vehicle can become a true utility for fair dinkum operational purposes. Utilisation goes up and private use can be minimised if not eliminated.

We will learn many things from the coronavirus pandemic and keeping the operators away from the workshops is one that will be applied moving forward.

It’s also time to put an end to frivolous vehicle usage and all the FBT hassle. The workforce should use a vehicle when it is business-related. That’s it!

To stop our Anonymous Fleet Manager (AFM) blowing a gasket, we created Internal Combustion, a monthly column for fleet-related rants that lets him blow off some steam. Got a fleet gripe you'd like to get his opinion on? Email the editor who will pass it on to AFM... when he's in a good enough mood, that is.