Budbee

Are the couriers driving for us really who they say they are? And are they truly authorized to work for us? We verify this efficiently and carefully – with the help of DataChecker.” Aan het woord is Thijs Hoogenstrijd, Sustainability & Compliance Lead bij pakketbezorgdienst Budbee. He explains why this audit is essential for his organization. And why exactly DataChecker help has been asked.

Budbee, part of the Instabee Group, does not employ its own couriers. “We use subcontractors,” says Thijs. “They have the drivers under contract who deliver our packages.” As the direct employer of the driver, those subcontractors are legally obliged to verify whether their employees are who they claim to be. And whether they have the right to operate in the Dutch transport sector to work (Right to Work). “But this responsibility does not stop with them: we too must check the identity and employment documentation of all couriers driving for us – even if they are not directly employed by us as employees. That is stated in the Chain Liability Act”

Prevent exploitation

The Chain Liability Act is only one reason for Budbee to check drivers. Thijs: “Even without that law, we would have done that. We want to contribute to a transport sector without abuses.” To which abuses is he referring?Couriers working illegally, have no legal protection and thereby become victims of poor working conditions or exploitation. This has occurred in the sector, may still be happening, and must be fought against or prevented with all available means.” Budbee therefore ensures that *her* parcel delivery is at least sound. This falls under sustainability, one of its essential values.

Unfortunately, it is not enough for subcontractors to say that they have checked everyone and that everything is in order. Even though they have good intentions, they lack the expertise to verify someone's identity and Right to Work to check.” That is why Budbee in 2023, not long after its entry into the Dutch market, went looking for a service provider that did have this expertise. “Of the ten companies we spoke to, most could only verify identities. DataChecker however, the Right to Work assess. And they were the only ones who worked with an online platform where we didn't have to enter anything manually ourselves. That made them exactly what we were looking for.”

Just give us a call

“DataChecker “screens couriers before they start working for us,” says Thijs. “For this, every driver receives a secure link to the well-secured platform of DataChecker. Daar zien ze uitleg over wat ze er moeten doen: van het invoeren van persoonsgegevens tot het uploaden van een selfie. Zodra ze dit gedaan hebben, verifieert DataChecker with her software their identity and Right to Work.” Couriers for whom everything is correct receive a check mark: 'identification and verification successful'. “Only when we see this in our system, which is linked to the DataChecker-platform, drivers can be scheduled for a delivery round. They will then receive a route number from us.”

The screening process is not over yet. “The couriers must then show their passport or ID card on the first day of their employment. And after that, before the start of each delivery round, they must state their route number and show their driver's license.” These parts of the identification and verification process are in the hands of Budbee himself, says Thijs.DataChecker focuses only on the first part, required for scheduling delivery rounds: the online ID– and Right to Work check.” Couriers can during this check of DataChecker use the chat function on the platform if they want to ask something. And they want the Support Team of DataChecker Prefer to call? That's possible too.

Preventive function

The couriers reacted without resistance or surprise when Budbee told them about the new inspection procedure. “Many were already familiar with such inspections at other delivery services, such as PostNL, wherever they were employed. They appreciated that we now demonstrated the same level of professionalism.” So far, all couriers have successfully completed the identification and verification process. “Sometimes they get stuck briefly, for example due to a selfie that is too dark or uncertainty about how something should be entered. But in such rare cases, it offers DataChecker immediate help.” With the upcoming software update, Thijs expects these types of problems to decrease further. “The expectation is that the platform will become even more user-friendly as a result.”

Is he surprised that no couriers were rejected? “No, not really. If subcontractors were already employing drivers illegally, they are being extra careful now. They know that our new procedure will filter them out. So the identity and Right-to-Work checks have a preventative effect.”

Develop expertise

We have been working with since December 2023 DataChecker and are very satisfied,” says Thijs. “To start with the technical preparation: the integration of their platform with our system. That integration went quickly and efficiently. The same applies to the identification and verification process. And to the way their Support Team answers questions – whether they come from couriers or from us.” An example of such a question? “Or the way DataChecker collecting personal data is actually allowed under privacy law. DataChecker explained in detail that this was indeed permitted, as long as it serves our compliance with the Liability Act. She also made it clear that she collects information in accordance with the highest data privacy standards.

The satisfaction is so great that the Instabee Group may be planning to continue the collaboration with DataChecker to expand to other countries where it operates. In particular to Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway. “Unlike the Netherlands, these countries have not legally codified chain liability. However, our organization considers it important to apply the same strict controls and verification processes there nonetheless; to tackle and prevent abuses in the sector there as well.” DataChecker does not currently offer Right to Work-check in Scandinavian countries. “But they can develop this expertise in collaboration with us. This way, we continue to grow together.”