According to Motorcycle News, Johnson Controls, Ltd has banned employees from using motorcycles during office hours on company business:
Johnson Controls Ltd has banned motorcycles as a form of transport during office hours for employees working across Europe. A spokeswoman said: “Motorcycles must not be used by employees on company business.”
She added: “The policy covers just under 5000 Johnson Controls UK-based employees either working in the UK or Europe, in the building efficiency business.”
A spokeswoman declined to directly answer the question of whether offenders would be disciplined but said: “Any employee who goes against any of our company policies runs the risk of disciplinary action.” She said employees were free to ride bikes in their own time, including to and from work.
The spokeswoman claimed the policy was “for the protection of our people”. She said: “It’s about health and safety.”
If the report is accurate, the “on company business” qualifier is important since many employers have restrictions on what employees may do during business hours. Since employees are still free to ride motorcycles to and from work it may have limited impact unless they attempt to expand the restriction further and use this as a first step.
I’m curious how many employees were actually using motorcycles on company business or if any specific incidents caused the restriction to be put in place. Is there a reason or is it a symbolic gesture of some sort? Do they have other similar restrictions or were motorcycles singled out? Interesting.
Link: MotorcycleNews
Link: Johnson Controls, UK
hoyt says
The spokeswoman claimed the policy was “for the protection of our people”. She said: “It’s about health and safety.”
Ok, how about the mental health? Riding does amazaing things mentally & physically.
Such corporate interference is utterly absurd.
todd says
I think it’s finefor company purposes as long as they provide a vehicle for the need.
I often use my bike during company time to go grab lunch, deliver something, or pick something up. If that is considered a dangerous practice how long until health insurance companies begin limiting coverage to motorcyclists like as is done with smokers?
-todd
John Bonanno says
I believe Todd hit it on the head, it probably has to something to do with thier liability issues of the employees while on the clock. Safety is their concern? i think insurance premiums are more likey to blame…
curt winter says
If she is working in the “building efficiency business” then wouldn’t it be more efficient to run about on a motorcycle than by foot or in a car.
Sean says
This is kinda silly. But, it’s not unusual. I can’t use my bike for booting round to the headquarters if our store needs something urgently, not because of luggage capacity but because my boss thinks I’m gonna kill myself. A valid argument, considering New Zealand drivers, but one I find silly. A few times, it would have been quicker and easier for me to have gone off that someone else in a car, and I haven’t been sent out. Weird, huh?
Bryce says
I can see where they are coming from. I would actually be surprised if a company of that size expected employees to use their personal vehicles to carry out company business on company time.
Willie Schmitz says
This issue surfaces every few years. The AMA, in this country, has fought such policies and restrictions. The policy makers obvisiously don’t ride.
What gated communities, corporations, and whoever else don’t take into consideration is that motorcycles have to meet all the requirements that any other motor vechile has to. The gated communities argument was they would allow police motorcycles because they were emergency vechiles.
Personally, I hope that this sort of thing gets nipped in the bud by watch dog groups.
M. Baker says
We’re not supposed to use any private vehicles during non-lunch business hours. Probably to stop suspicious repair bills as well as insurance. Not many companies have bikes.
Gordy says
The sentiment behind the rule is small-minded ignorance and a clear indication of the negativity moving deeper into our (UK) society.
However, when all is said and done a company can write it into the contract if they so choose. No one forces the employee to sign the contract. It’s a choice. If the employee does not like it they are free to refuse the contract and move on.
Earl says
It’s probably got a lot to do with insurance and most folks’ ignorance of motorbiking. I use my SV a lot at work rather than a pool car, just cos I enjoy riding. Still, the time taken in kitting up (and down) and having to walk around in bike boots rather than Converse Allstars, all those simple conveniences, like throwing landscape plans on the passenger seat rather than packing them away, means that a VW Golf is simply gonna be more efficient. And my boss aint gonna panic about me being cleaned up on the River Rd twisties.
The Golf IS a lotta fun on those twisties, tho.
mark says
I work for a graphic design studio — hardly a company that requires its employees to do much driving — but even so, if we go on a field trip to visit a print vendor or attend a seminar or whatever, we’re encouraged to rent a car (on the company’s dime) in order to avoid using our personal vehicles for company business. It’s advantageous to the company not to assume the liability for personal vehicles, and they can write off the rental expenses.
Chris says
I use my personal bike on occasion for undercover work; when I want to operate very inconspicuously. While it makes my companies liability insurance higher, it has proven it’s advantages 10 fold over disadvantages. I don’t think I could work without it in some instances, because there is nothing unusual about bikers hanging outside any store, street, or parking lot for no apparent reason. I do love to ride on my off time also, but as for other lines of work, I can understand the new regulations where riding a motorcycle is not at all necessary. As long as they don’t start telling what you can drive to and from work, I’m fine with it.