So I was talking to the driver who was delivering my grocery shopping ordered online (straight to my door - I live above the first floor in a block of apartments) and was making small talk as I carried the baskets through, whinging about how the driver from the previous company I'd used had basically dumped the baskets containing the shopping on the roadside and waited for me to lug them, one at a time, in the elevator up to my flat, completely refusing to assist on 'policy and health and safety grounds', hence why I wasn't using them anymore.

She pointed out that each company takes its own approach, and that for the company she works for, they deliver to the door everywhere (I know this 'cos the last guy arrived early, wheeled the trolley into my kitchen and helped me take everything out of the baskets - his manager received glowing feedback from me) except for student flats.

When I asked why not student flats, she said it was because they had received too many allegations against the male drivers from the students. So the company's policy now was to protect their employees (and the corporate reputation) and cease assistance with deliveries to within those types of accommodation.

Sensible company policy forced by a crazy state of affairs. I really do hope grocery delivery drivers haven't done such things in the past, nor could I see how they could - they have a large number of deliveries to make within very strict time windows and I'm one of those customers that raises hell if they're late. The policy makes sense though - if the company doesn't place their employees in a position where the risk of an allegation may occur, they're duly inoculated. I suspect this will become increasingly common.

EDIT: Ignore the chaperoning bit - I was going to make a separate but totally unrelated observation.