More employees than ever are using cellular phones as they carry out their jobs. Cell phones keep off-site or traveling staffers connected to their workplaces and their clients. However, these convenient pocket phones raise serious issues concerning safety, security, and privacy, which necessitate clear policies and legislation to avoid trouble.
Here’s what your company needs to know about cell phone laws and policies.
Emerging Cell Phone Laws:
Cell phone laws focus on the effects of increasing mobile phone use by drivers on highway accident statistics. Studies have found that the use of cell phones contribute to driver distraction and accidents.
There are no federal cell phone laws that prohibit drivers from using mobile phones while driving, but some states have taken action to reduce cell phone-related automobile accidents. Some state cell phone laws prohibit the use of handheld devices while operating a motor vehicle, but they allow the use of hands-free devices. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have cell phone laws concerning wireless phone use in the car. States with cell phone laws that prohibit the use of hand-held mobile phones by drivers while the vehicle is in motion include New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Cell Phones Raise Liability Issues
What are some of the liability concerns cell phones raise for your company? If one of your employees has an auto accident and harms someone while making a work-related cell phone call, your company as well as the employee may be found liable. Several lawsuits have been filed against employers as well as the employees themselves who allegedly have harmed someone because they were simultaneously driving and engaging in a business call on a cell phone.
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Help is on the way
As the laws in different states on Human Resources get more difficult and complex, keeping current can spell the difference between success and disaster for your business. The HR.BLR.com editorial staff monitors a host of private and government sources to keep you up-to-date on all the important human resource developments.
The HR Library has more helpful cell phone resources like these:
State cell phone laws
Cell phone safety tips