Instructors must meet the following requirements:

Zero Tolerance

Cowboy Driving Academy has enjoyed a professional image for many years. To ensure this image in the future, we have established some instructor guidelines for conduct with parents and students to allow us to enjoy the benefits of our professional image.

Parents and Students are our customers. They are to be treated in a professional manner both with respect and integrity. As we are a trusted partner with parents in the role of the training and development of their student driver, they look to us for our experience and recommendations when it comes to driving skills and procedures – only.

When we are conducting behind the wheel instruction, we recommend that two students be in the car at all times. We have found that there is equal benefit to observing a fellow student when they are learning as well as when they are behind the wheel. We have found students learn faster by driving and observing someone else compared to private lessons. They also get twice as much time in the car either receiving or observing instruction. They only way we allow private instruction in the car is with the consent of the parents prior to the drive. This means the conversation taking place is between the instructor and one of the parents. We will not take the students word for it. Failure for the instructor to talk directly with one of the parents is grounds for immediate termination. Also, if the parents prefer their child to have an individual lesson, the instructor must immediately communicate with their manager so everyone is aware. Instructors are also required to have a personal cell phone in the car at all times while they are giving instruction. They also should make sure that their cell phone number is given to parents. Anytime there is only one student in the car, the instructor is required to call a parent to communicate that the drive time is almost complete, they are dropping one of the students off, and that they will be at their house with their child within a reasonable time determined by both the parents and the instructor. Any employee who violates this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to immediate discharge and possible legal action.

Cowboy Driving Academy prohibits and does not tolerate workplace wrongdoing on our premises, property, or while acting within the scope of employment.

Cowboy Driving Academy does not tolerate theft of property, whether from our business, customers, or from a co-worker. Employees should seek permission before removing company material, tools, or other items. Any employee who violates this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to immediate discharge and possible legal action.

Cowboy Driving Academy prohibits fighting on its premises. Any employee who instigates physical violence or threatens violence may be subject to disciplinary action, up to immediate discharge. Cowboy Driving Academy prohibits horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks. Remember, we are dealing with 15 year old students and should keep our remarks and comments to the driving task only.

Cowboy Driving Academy prohibits embezzlement or stealing of funds or fees collected for driving instruction. Any employee who violates this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to immediate discharge and possible legal action.

Violators of any of the above mentioned policies are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge, for any violation reasonably believed to have been committed.

Reporting Procedure

If you are aware of any of the acts listed above taking place, you are encouraged to discuss your questions, problems, complaints, or reports with Brad Finley, Melissa Finley, or Don Stoops. If you feel uncomfortable doing so or if your manager is the source of the problem, condones the problem, or ignores the problem, report to the one of the persons listed above.

You are not required to directly confront the person who is the source of your report, question, or complaint before notifying any of those individuals listed. Nevertheless, you are required to make a reasonable effort to make wrongdoing known should any exist.

Handling of Confidential Information

Some employees will work with information that is of a confidential nature. If an employee is given such information, they are expected to keep the information confidential and should not share the information with unauthorized persons.

Violators of this policy are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge, for any violation reasonably believed to have been committed.

Work Hours, Tardiness, and Absences

Employees are expected to be at their work site at the time arranged with their drive schedules. We tell each parent and student to allow 15 minutes before and after the scheduled drive time. This gives us time to drive from one student’s house to another. If it is not possible to be at your work site at that time, it is necessary to call the parents and the appropriate manager to inform them of the predicted length of your absence. Unless arrangements have been made prior to a planned leave, a phone call is required each day of a period of absence.

Tardiness is a disruption to the workplace and cannot be tolerated. If you expect to be tardy, you should follow the procedure above. Excessive tardiness will not be tolerated and tardy employees may be subject to dismissal.

Prior to taking a planned leave of absence, employees must receive prior approval from Brad, Melissa, or Don.