Parking at work.

[Tyre Smoke]

We have always parked in front of our offices on company property. We always leave sufficient room for trucks to get in and out - at least 25 feet of width, no one parked in silly places. Thoughtful parking you might say. This has happened for years. Now because a truck has hit a car when manoeuvering, despite being directed by his co driver and trying to fit a large truck into a very tight space, our boss has decreed that anyone not parking in the designated spaces (of which there are about 10 for 20+ cars) then the company will not be liable for any damage caused. Can the company do this? Furthermore any sane person with an ounce of common sense would see that parking on the road outside limits the room to manoeuver to such an extent that it might not be possible to get the truck in at all.

Anyone any views?

[wingchundave]

Work place parking is always a contentious issue. You could be considered fortunate that you have work place parking at all. By making a decree like this he's just covering the company. I'm sure some insurance companies might get funny about a car that's damaged on private property and he wants to make sure it's not coming out of the company's coffers.

As far as he's concerned it's a smart move - what does he have to lose? If it's private property the owner of the company can surely tell people where they can and can't park and would be within all rights to withdraw parking on that property altogether if he chose to.

However, if it's listed in terms and conditions that it's a benefit for the use of the staff working there it may be something that can't be taken away so easily.

My advice - try to get to work early and pinch one of the few spots available.

[Tyre Smoke]

I agree with you, but it has been accepted practice here for years about the parking. Further, a precedent has been set over a number of years that any damage has always been paid for.

[themaskedavenger]

Most carparks have signs up saying they are not liable.

If a lorry hits you (or a car for that matter) its the driver of that vehicle that is liable nothing can take away from that as far as I can see in your situation. So the company has never been liable for damage or loss to your property whilst parked.