Employment expert says businesses should craft cell phone policies
Texting and social media applications can easily divert an employee's attention. In response, employers should fight back with a company cell phone policy, Steven I. Alder, an employment lawyer in Bergen County, New Jersey, wrote for the Bergen Record.
Considering many companies already have drug and alcohol policies in place, Adler says company rules regarding cell phone usage should be the next step, especially in positions where workers handle machinery or utilize transportation.
"As an employer, you might be held directly or vicariously liable for the negligence of your employees … there have been a number of multimillion-dollar verdicts against employers as a result of employees [using cell phones] or texting while driving on company business," Adler wrote in the Record.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 80 percent of all vehicular accidents are caused by driver distraction, most notably cell phone usage.
While Adler campaigns for cell phone policies for workers utilizing company transportation, the Riverdale, New Jersey, borough council passed a rule stating that all borough employees with commercial drivers licenses must undergo drug testing. Borough attorney Bob Oostdyk cited the existence of such policies in neighboring towns to support his case.
Considering many companies already have drug and alcohol policies in place, Adler says company rules regarding cell phone usage should be the next step, especially in positions where workers handle machinery or utilize transportation.
"As an employer, you might be held directly or vicariously liable for the negligence of your employees … there have been a number of multimillion-dollar verdicts against employers as a result of employees [using cell phones] or texting while driving on company business," Adler wrote in the Record.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 80 percent of all vehicular accidents are caused by driver distraction, most notably cell phone usage.
While Adler campaigns for cell phone policies for workers utilizing company transportation, the Riverdale, New Jersey, borough council passed a rule stating that all borough employees with commercial drivers licenses must undergo drug testing. Borough attorney Bob Oostdyk cited the existence of such policies in neighboring towns to support his case.
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