My Driver Facing Camera experience (thoughts, please)?

I’d like to share my experience with a driver-facing camera (DFC).

Also, I’d love to hear any (honest) feedback.
I am prepared for all comments, because I realize that I do not have a legal case to pursue.

I’ve discussed this with a few lawyers, and the bottom line is, “it’s the company’s truck and they can install whatever they want especially for safety purposes.” As the driver/employee, I can agree to stay or leave.
Just that simple!
Or?
Is it?

I will try to make my experience as concise and honest as well.

I apologize beforehand if my experience is lengthy, but I wanted to provide as much information without going off track.

Story begins:
I worked for a trucking company in for 5 years in July 2023. This was my first and only driving job since getting my Commercial Driver’s License in 2018.

This trucking company is home daily with a designated home base, and drivers (in this division) make approximately $200 a day for 2 loads which takes approximately 8-9 hours on most days.
This company has a LARGE turnover rate mostly because of pay. Most drivers make between $500-800 a week. Now, depending on each person this amount may or may not be enough for them (that’s a whole different story).

The company had outward facing cameras installed on the fleet about 2 years ago.
I had no issues with the outward facing camera (like most drivers).
I totally understand the benefit and purpose for outward facing cameras.
I never asked nor received any company policy about dash camera use (outward or driver facing cameras).
FYI to others: MAKE sure you ask about dash cam information – get the company’s written policy if possible.

I attended an annual training course on Sat. August 5, 2023.
Completed the 8-hour course and was called as the last person at the end of the day to receive my training documents.

This is when the story takes a turn.

This lady (who teaches MSHA training and orientation classes, but seems to think she is Safety Director, Vice President, etc… one of those kinds who does everything for the company) had a piece of paper on the table. Keep in mind, “Training lady” is NOT the person designated to constantly monitor the cameras – that is not her job title.

There was a piece of paper with not much written on it (I should have taken a pic, but I didn’t) but my name (which was misspelled), $150 fine, and driver gets a driver facing camera. This piece of paper did not have ANY written details as to what the $150 fine was for or why I had to get a driver facing camera in my truck. The company wanted my signature consenting to the $150 fine and driver facing camera to be installed.

I’m thinking, “what the hell?”

After 5 years of employment, I have never had an accident, ticket, and/or citation.
NOT ONE!
NO CALLS FROM THE SAFETY DEPT – NOTHING!

I have maintained a clean driving record. I’ll be honest, I am one of the slowest drivers at my company and everyone knows this. However, I am always letting others pass and never try to hold up any driver. I am very courtesy and respectful. If I want to drive 55 miles an hour, it doesn’t mean everyone else has to.

What’ so funny during that same day, “Training lady” put up all the tickets, citations, truck repair costs either by accidents or hitting a deer, etc…from people in the class, my name nor truck was listed on neither.

Here's the reason that the company wanted to put a driver facing camera in my truck.
Here’s their “justification.”

On Tuesday July 25, 2023 in the morning (WHEN IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE), the outward facing camera caught the reflection of my cell phone inside the cab placed in the cup holder (I WAS NOT HOLDING MY PHONE), and I accidentally “scrolled” on the phone to turn off the illuminating light by a button on the side. Training lady did show me the video that she was referring to.

On the video:
1. You cannot see my face or who it is.
(Of course, they are requesting for a driver facing dash cam.)
2. The phone is never picked up out of the cup holder.
3. The screen never stopped moving, so I was not viewing any texts or webpages.
4. I don’t ride with my data on, because I do not have unlimited data service.

5. I only have calling and text available when I’m driving.

6. I cannot see up close without glasses, so I do not text and drive. I simply can’t.

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENED this day to trigger the camera.
So, YES, this company has surveillance at all times – NOTHING to cause the camera to be activated or any safety reason to view the dash cam. These companies are watching you, so don’t be deceived! Keep reading…


HOWEEVER, you cannot have 1 finger on the phone according to the company policy or it is a $150 fee for the first offense and a driver facing camera in the truck for the remaining time employed with the company.

Yet, Georgia law allows you to be able to answer and end a call with 1 button (hence having to touch the phone with 1 finger). Yet, this is not allowed with company policy.

I realize the dangers of texting and driving.
I am perfect? Heck no. I never will be.
But, I am a safe driver.

However, I was not agreeing to a $150 fine, and I was NOT admitting any guilty nor consenting to a driver facing camera in my truck. PERIOD.
I am not going to be watched all day like some prisoner when I have absolutely no tickets, citations, or accidents.

Training lady told me that I had 2 options: 1) Sign and consent or 2) voluntary resign.
She tried to force me to sign for my resignation, and I told her that I wasn’t signing ANYTHING!

I said, “NO! I have 3 options: 1) Sign and consent, 2) voluntary resign, or 3) the company can terminate because I am not consenting nor resigning.

Training lady gets rather upset at this point.
How can she hire or fire me anyway?

Training lady asks, “Why would you want to be terminated?”
Duh!
I’m not consenting to a driver facing camera nor resigning, so I am assuming this is the right category for ending my employment maybe?

She didn’t want me to quit instead she wanted me to consent to the driver facing camera and keep working.

I was told that I had to make a decision that day before they left (which was about 45 minutes).
I was not given any opportunity to speak with my Supervisor, Human Resources – NOTHING!

Then when asked about getting my items out of my truck, I was told that it was unsure if I was legally allowed onto the property. Like I was some criminal. I had someone else retrieve my personal items Monday morning.

I received an email Monday August 7, 2023 at approximately 10am that my employment had ended. I requested a Separation Notice which stated “violation of company policy” sent the following day.

To add to the story, I am a female truck driver, and I do not want a driver facing camera on me.

There are only 2 female drivers at my particular location.
The other female driver had a speeding ticket placed on view for everyone to see during the class. A speeding ticket of 52 mph in a 35 mph. Yet, she doesn’t have a driver facing camera in her truck.

I cannot claim “discrimination”, because about a year before another male driver was seen with the cell phone up to his ear. He consented to a driver facing camera, and he has had a driver facing camera in his truck for maybe a year or longer now.

Funny story about this driver, he was complaining during the training class that the company watches him use a bottle inside the truck (to relieve himself) and instructed him to stop this and get out of the truck to relieve himself. WOW!

He was terminated the same day that I was. I am not sure why he was terminated?

I’m sorry, but I could not sign any agreement for $150 fine and driver facing camera in my truck. My life changed at that moment knowing that I would not have a job or income. I was sick to my stomach, but I would have been more upset if I had signed that request. I always said that I would not work with a driver facing camera on me all day.

I have my limits.

Yet, the paper didn’t have anything written on it. Like the entire situation felt strange and unprofessional. The entire situation felt wrong.

Shouldn’t I have my main supervisor or Human Resources present?
Shouldn’t I have been given longer than 45 minutes to make the final decision?
How can Training lady fire me anyway?

It just feels odd, but from those lawyers who I have asked, the company was well within their legal rights. The company is in the right, and I am wrong.

What are your thoughts and suggestions?

I feel more than confident with my decision, but I am unemployed and looking for a job.
I have filed or unemployment benefits, but still waiting for a determination.
I am more than certain, this company will not approve unemployment benefits.
I am more than certain, this company will probably win the claim.

However, I still feel confident with my decision to not consent to a driver facing camera and being able to hopefully find another job.

Thank you for taking the time to read my experience, and I apologize about the length.

Policy attached below:
I just don't see how what they are trying to justify the driver facing camera is no different than EVERYONE else using the cell phones for a phone call?
The entire policy seems contradictory?

Maybe I'm being bias, though?

 

True!
I feel the same way.
Maybe seek unemployment benefits, but that is probably a far stretch too.
Just so disappointing...
I appreciate your reply and feedback.

 

That was an option!
I'm sorry I could not sign anything with a $150 fine and driver facing camera.
I would have NEVER gotten in the truck and out $150.
Plus, I left more money on the table, but I was not signing anything!
It was probably NOT the best decision financially, but something felt wrong.
However, I realize this was my final decision and time to move forward.
I greatly respect those who would have stayed!
I need all the luck that I can get.
I appreciate your feedback.

 

I'm definitely trying.
What gets me is the way it was presented.
No details written on the paper - brought to my attention almost 10 days later?
If I was such a safety risk, why not address the problem immediately?
Of course, I realize many companies will do things to get rid of drivers or push them out.
I don't think that they were trying to "get rid of me" necessarily, but make it uncomfortable for me to stay.
They thought that I would sign.

 

Unfortunately, no.
That is about 2.5 hours north of where I am looking.