Is it legal for your employer to force you to get a tracking device installed on your personal vehicle?
July 24, 2009 by GPS and Navigation System Tips
Filed under Navigation, Tracking & Geocaching
Can you answer craig79792000’s question about GPS?:
I do a lot of field work, not going to specify the profession. There is a lack of supervision because I am always out on my own. I get my job done, bottom line. Does it seem strange that an employer might require a gps tracking device? I think they are passing it off as a safety issue, but what about weekends and time off? I don’t want my personal business to be available to my employer. Any thoughts?
Golf Caddie Gps
I do a lot of field work, not going to specify the profession. There is a lack of supervision because I am always out on my own. I get my job done, bottom line. Does it seem strange that an employer might require a gps tracking device? I think they are passing it off as a safety issue, but what about weekends and time off? I don’t want my personal business to be available to my employer. Any thoughts?
Golf Caddie Gps
GPS Feedback: I was an elected union officer for 25 years. There is no legitimate reason for your employer to make that request. Where I worked, the managers would say the same thing.
GPS Feedback: Your employer is within his rights asking for the gps tracker during your work hours. He cannot track you when you are on your own time and anything he might discover would not be grounds for any punishment. However if he pays for the insurance on your vehicle on a full time basis he has the right to know what the vehicle is being used for at all times.
GPS Feedback: Since this is your personal vehicle, and not a company car that was purchased and is maintained by your employer, I would be surprised if they could legally require you to install a GPS tracking device in it. They may be able to get away with something that is not permanently wired into the vehicle and can be removed during your off hours, however.
GPS Feedback: I wouldn’t like it. Can’t they give you a removable device, like the UPS people carry? Of course it is a matter of contract, so if you agree, then its legal. But what if you don’t? I once told a boss that I would not give him my cellphone number unless he got me a new blackberry at company expense. When I was Controller, I went out and got seasonal employees Virgin Prepaid phones, because they should not be expected to use their personal property for business. Maybe they should buy you a company car.
GPS Feedback: An employer can’t legally “force you” to do anything.
But…if you live in an “employment at will” State then he can “ask” you to, and if you say no he can fire you.
Richard
GPS Feedback: I would explain that you feel uncomfortable knowing that someone could track you on your own time and if thats what he wants, rent or lease you a work vehicle.
GPS Feedback: Are you reimbursed mileage ? Is all of your work in the field? It seems to me they have a legitimate reason, although I would think the GPS system should be a removable one that can be turned off when work hours are over.
GPS Feedback: You don’t say if they pay you for the use of your vehicle, I would imagine that if they are paying you by the hour and paying you for the mileage then it would seem reasonable to install some sort of tracking device. I would agree but only if there was some way of turning it off outside of work hours. If there is no pay back for your vehicle then I would object to having GPS installed. I would have thought they could have come up with some other safety options.