On average, some fleet drivers claim an extra hour or two per week in overtime – and see this as a perk of the job rather than theft and a reward for their hard work during the day.
Telematics bosses say this industry-wide problem can be eradicated with the use of systems that monitor drivers' hours. Minorplanet, which calculated the figures, says that although the amount of money conned out of UK companies is falling, there is still a long way to go to eradicate the problem.
Minorplanet says its data also clearly shows that not all drivers are involved in such scams and that the use of telematics systems to tackle the problem could actually mean more money in their pay packets.
Some staff have unwittingly been claiming less than they are due and such a system would pick up on this and ensure they are paid correctly.
Joanne Downie, director of telematics at industry analyst Strategy Analytics said: 'Opportunities to reduce management costs is the key factor behind fleet operators deploying telematics systems. When this level of timesheet abuse is scaled up across the sector it is obvious that major cost savings can be reinvested back into fleet companies, enabling them to expand and become far more efficient in what is a highly competitive market.'
Minorplanet spokesman Neil Cotton added: 'No-one really pays much attention to this scam, as individually the extra little bit of overclaimed time cannot normally be proven. The advent of telematics systems has made it possible for employers to see this clearly.
'But it isn't necessarily about taking it back from the employee. Many companies that have installed a Minorplanet system and have eradicated their overtime scams have been able to use the additional money to reward workers that show a commitment to the company.'
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