Fleet managers have been warned that allowing staff to use their own vehicles for work could expose businesses to an increased risk of litigation.

Cars that are used for work purposes are considered places of work, even if they are owned by the employee and not the company.

According to research by the car rental firm, Europcar, more than one-third (37 per cent) of firms it polled operated cash for car schemes.

This means an employee is offered a cash alternative to a company car and uses their own vehicle instead.

"A vehicle used for business travel, even for the occasional office errand, is regarded as a place of work and is therefore subject to all the same health and safety legislation that applies to the workplace," said Europcar corporate sales director, David McNeill.

"Something as everyday as a member of staff visiting the Post Office in their own car will now be covered by the new law."

As well highlighting a potential risk, especially to smaller firms, the survey also underlines the importance of adequate fleet insurance.

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