Private Work Policy

Policy

O'Brien Plumbing Rowville does not condone or tolerate the performance of Plumbing Work outside of a worker’s employment with O'Brien Plumbing Rowville. Under no circumstances is a worker to utilise equipment or materials owned by the business in provision of plumbing work not provided directly to our customers.

Notwithstanding that you may be required to hold an plumbing contractor’s licence in order to perform work for members of the public legally. O'Brien Plumbing Rowville views this practice as a breach of the contractual fiduciary duty.

Acceptance of "cash jobs" from any of O'Brien Plumbing Rowville's customers even if done after hours is unacceptable and not permitted at all times.

Significant penalties may exist for performing Plumbing Contracting work to the public including distant family and friends without a contractor’s licence.

Failure to abide by these procedures may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. The business does not accept any liability for work performed of a private nature or which is not contracted and invoiced by the business.

The Business Vehicle

The Business vehicle must not be used under any circumstance to perform private work or used outside of business related travel.

A Business vehicle may only be used to travel to and from work and during work hours. The Business vehicle must not be used on weekends, public holidays, or during leave except in the event of a work related call out.

Failure to abide by these procedures may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Damages

In the event that a worker is in an accident using The Business vehicle outside of work related travel, the worker will be liable for costs including insurance costs excesses, penalties and fines. The employer may seek to pursue a worker, or former worker, for costs associated with the damage whether still employed by the business or not.

In the event of an accident in a business vehicle while undertaking a work-related journey, where the employee is found to be negligent or responsible, the employee will be liable for insurance costs and excesses, penalties and fines. The employer may seek to pursue a worker, or former worker, for costs associated with the damage.

Stock in Vehicles

O'Brien Plumbing Rowville's stock, equipment and materials must not be used for personal work under any circumstance to perform private work.

Stock, equipment and materials can only be used with approval of management. Permission will be given to the extent that a licensed plumbing worker may make minor emergency repairs to make plumbing equipment plumbingly safe.

Regular audits and monitoring of stock levels will be conducted by the company. Employees are required to maintain a minimum stock level and should request extra stock as soon as possible which will be ordered by the company directly.

Workers will be held responsible for any loss or theft of products held in vehicles, which is absent from the vehicle and is not charged to materials for a job.

Vehicles are to be kept locked at all times while on work sites. If a vehicle is broken into and stock is removed, your supervisor should be contacted immediately, and the police will be notified of the theft. A worker should do all they can to assist the police in identifying the stock or equipment that has been stolen as well as details of dates times and locations to allow the incident to be properly investigated.

Supplier/Wholesaler Accounts

Staff must not book stock, equipment and materials to any company accounts including plumbing wholesalers, hardware stores or any other supplier without written permission by management.

All purchases of stock, equipment and materials must be accompanied by a written purchase order provided by the company or verbal instruction from management providing a purchase order number. All suppliers have been instructed to only accept a purchase order from staff accompanied by a written purchaseorder.

In the event of an emergency purchase, contact the office who will generate a purchase order and email it directly to the supplier.

Failure to abide by these procedures will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Inappropriate Costs and Purchases

Where a worker is found to have accessed a supplier’s account without approval, or has used, misplaced or lost stock from vehicles, the employer will hold the worker liable. The employer may seek to pursue a worker, or former worker, for costs associated with the damage.

Excess materials and waste

All employees are required to return to the company any excess stock, materials or waste to the company.

Soliciting Clients

A worker has an obligation under their employment contract to serve their employer “faithfully”. The duty of fidelity does not allow the worker to solicit clients, current or potential, from their employer.

It is unlawful to solicit an employer’s clients to service a new business. It is also unlawful to recruit staff who are presently working for the same employer, or to remove, copy or memorise any of the employer’s valuable information (including client databases) if the intent or outcome is to cause the employer economic loss.

Workers must conduct themselves and act in a manner which serves the employers best interests. This includes acting and behaving in a manner which places The Business in a positive light at all times.

Failure to abide by these procedures may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.