Continued post-pandemic hybrid working by employees could be putting businesses unwittingly at risk of legal and financial consequences through not enacting their duty of care.

Venson has urged employers to review driving for work policies

Three years on from the first lockdown and almost a third (28%) of working adults are still hybrid working, with 16% solely working from home, according to new figures.

Venson has warned that if an employee’s place of work clause in their contract has changed to home working, their privately owned car will automatically join the ranks of the grey fleet, when used for work-related travel.

And this means employers may be unknowingly missing duty of care requirements.

Simon Staton, client management director of Venson Automotive Solutions, explained: “Employers have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees.

“With around half (49%) of UK drivers admitting to skipping essential servicing and vehicle repairs amidst the cost-of-living crisis, it is more important than ever that processes are in place to manage aspects such as driver licence checking, insurance validity, vehicle condition and mileage audit amongst grey fleet vehicles. Businesses and fleet managers, therefore, need to review their Driving for Work policies as working from home looks set to stay for some businesses.”

With latest research revealing that the average car in the UK is now 10 years old, grey fleet vehicles can adversely affect a company’s carbon footprint too.

One option is to explore implementing a salary sacrifice scheme as a workplace benefit – helping employees slash the cost of leasing a brand-new electric vehicle.

For businesses, this can also support the ‘green’ agenda while addressing the risks of the grey fleet.

Staton also suggested fleets consider alternative options such as rental or EV pool cars for occasional driving for work employees.

“It all helps to cut the burden of managing a grey fleet and reduces CO2 emissions at the same time,” he stated.