Contracts are an essential business tool, enabling you to manage your workforce legally. It is important to understand the importance of having contracts and policies in place. Where problems arise, a contract can protect both your interests and the interests of your drivers. This is because contracts state the terms and conditions you and your workforce have agreed to, which can reduce the potential for legal disputes in the future.
Knowing what contracts and policies to have can be confusing. In this blog, we will cover the standard contracts and policies that are commonly seen in courier businesses.
Service Level Agreement
Every courier firm should have a Service Level Agreement (SLA) in place. A SLA is an important document that outlines the expectations, responsibilities, and standards for your delivery drivers. This agreement should be clear and comprehensive, detailing factors such as delivery times, customer service standards, communication protocols, and dispute resolution procedures.
A well-drafted SLA not only helps set clear expectations for drivers but also serves as a reference point in case of disputes or misunderstandings. It provides a foundation for accountability and helps maintain a high level of service quality, leading to greater customer satisfaction.
Policies
While it is not mandatory to have policies in place, it is recommended to do so in order to ensure a well-structured operation. There isn’t a definitive, one-size-fits-all list of policies, but in the below section, we will discuss the standard policies to consider. It ultimately falls to the discretion of the courier business to decide which policies they wish to have and how many.
1. Health & Safety
Safety should be paramount when onboarding drivers. A health and safety policy sets the tone for a secure working environment. Most health and safety policies cover the following:
- General policy on health and safety
- Responsibilities for health and safety
- Arrangements for health and safety
2. Company Policy Booklet
A company policy booklet is the cornerstone of safety when onboarding drivers. It is a comprehensive guide communicating the company’s commitment to health and safety. It usually includes:
- Safety standards
- Incident reporting
- Emergency response
- Training
- Compliance
3. Stop and Search
A stop and search policy is to protect both courier companies and their drivers from illegal activities such as theft of company property or property belonging to another driver or other person and the possession or supply of any substances that might be in breach of company policy in relation to alcohol and/or drugs.
The purpose of this policy is to outline:
- The company’s policy in relation to stopping and searching drivers
- The manner in which searches will be carried out
- The implications of a driver refusing to comply
4. Medical Fitness Declaration
The medical fitness declaration is a critical policy that ensures drivers are fit for the demanding delivery job. This policy usually includes:
- Medical Examination
- Reporting Health Issues
- Fitness Standards
- Regular check-ups
5. NDA
Many delivery firms handle customer data and confidential information that needs to be protected. A non-disclosure agreement is a policy that ensures drivers keep information confidential. An NDA typically includes:
- Definitions of what confidential information means
- Obligations for the drivers to protect and not disclose information
- The duration of confidentiality obligations
- Consequences of breaching the NDA, including potential legal actions
6. GDPR
In an age of data privacy concerns, every company must have a GDPR policy in place to safeguard sensitive information. A GDPR policy usually contains:
- Data collection and processing
- Consent and transparency
- Data security
- Data breach response
- Data retention
7. Driving Licence Declaration
A driving licence declaration policy is a crucial part of onboarding drivers. This policy should address the following:
- Driver qualifications
- Licence verification
- Reporting changes
- Consequences of non-compliance
Compliance support with Wise
At Wise, we have an expert compliance team that is on hand to assist in creating contracts tailored to your business while also providing valuable recommendations to strengthen the terms you already have in place.
If you’re seeking help regarding contracts and employment status, speak to one of our experts to learn more about how Wise can help!
