Perhaps the company may agree to supply a different seat? It could be seen as a compromise. There are also some seat 'covers' avaiable that could offer extra lumbar support/cushioning. This would depend on what is causing the problems for the driver, however, as I would have thought only driving 20 miles a day is not usually sufficient to incur pain.

What you do depends on money you have but have you considered that the essential car user allowance means that they have to supply a suitable vehicle? Cushions and back supports are avialable as mentioned above. Lilian

Hello When you state: I can state the vehicle is not suitable, but I know the company will not provide a suitable vehicle due to cost. Options and opinions please. it's necessary to consider details of the context. 'Not suitable' can mean a huge variety of things. To resolve the problem it's necessary to specify it with a thorough ergonomic analysis including measurements of the employee's upper and lower limbs, his/her height and weight, the force necessary to control the pedals at various speeds, the dimensions of the seat. It's then possible to present a case to your board with relating the hazards to both the PUWER Regulations and the Disability Discrimination Act. They can then evaluate their options which may include discussing with the employee the possibility of applying for assistance under the Access to Work programme.

Just to expand on Steve's comment the original statement is '...belongs to a staff member who gets an essential car users allowance.' This says to me that they are paid to drive their own personal car. If that is the case, how does the person manage normally? I would be looking to find out how long they have owned the car (presuming we're talking about their car), how many miles it has done and calculating an average daily mileage during normal useage. The average annual milage for a privately owned car is 12000 miles per year, divided by 365 works out at 33 miles per day. The mileage you are asking this person to drive is well below that. Irrespective of the mileages, who owns the car is the question that needs answering first. Also what type of car is it, a modern saloon/hatchback or a series 1 Landrover, back to the fit for purpose question that's been asked. Sorry first time I had access for a year so thought I'd get my rant over early.

tell them to catch a bus

From what you have said the person owns the car so i don't see how it is the fault of the company if the person bought a car that is unsuitable for there needs. i assume they use the car for more than just work use so surely it down to them to either resolve the issue for themselves (is there an obvious reason). As other have said maybe look at helping them adjust the seating by use of lumbar support or other such equipment but as for paying greater cost than this then i would have thought not. they are likely to use the car more for domestic and pleasure as they are ever for work. as you say 20 miles (also assuming that would be ten miles there and ten miles back so would be less time in the car in one go given it would be two journeys)isn't that greater distance and would not be responsible for the issues identified in such a short journey. Phil phil

Sounds like someone wants a company car...... Oops sorry, did I say that out aloud? I've had one of those days!