Employers create Employee Policy Manuals for numerous reasons. One reason could be to manage the risk of liability for the employer. Since many employers provide their employees with cell phones, and those companies that don’t provide cell phones very likely have employees who use their cell phones, employers are becoming increasingly concerned about multi-tasking employees that may be putting their company at risk.
Texting while driving has been identified as a factor in several accidents since police were able to link the timing of the accident with the time that text messages were sent. Some states have taken notice of the statistics about accidents that occur when drivers text and have introduced legislation that makes driving while texting a crime. Activists are lobbying to add texting to existing laws that prohibit hand-held electronic device use while driving.
Companies who enact policies that forbid the use of a hand-held electronic devise and texting while driving are naturally concerned that an accident caused by such employee negligence could become an employer responsibility. A policy that explicitly forbids such use may reduce the employer’s exposure to liability. It could also save a life.
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