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Author	Topic: Why Your Employer Cares How You Drive	Post a Reply Back to Topics

PD Moderator	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 11:42:10 AM Ignore PD Report Abuse Did you know your employer, or perhaps, your prospective employer is becoming increasingly interested in the way you drive? There’s a good reason for this. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), if you talk on your cell phone when you drive, you could cost them a bundle. If you’re involved in a crash while conducting company business over the phone… you’re not the only one who’s liable for damages. Your employer is too. In Arkansas, a lumber wholesaler paid $16.2 million to a woman who was severely disabled in a car accident involving one of its employees who was talking on his cell phone at the time of the accident. In Florida, a jury ordered a company to pay almost $21... Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

Moderator

Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 11:42:10 AM

Ignore PD Report Abuse

Did you know your employer, or perhaps, your prospective employer is becoming increasingly interested in the way you drive?

There’s a good reason for this. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), if you talk on your cell phone when you drive, you could cost them a bundle. If you’re involved in a crash while conducting company business over the phone… you’re not the only one who’s liable for damages. Your employer is too.

In Arkansas, a lumber wholesaler paid $16.2 million to a woman who was severely disabled in a car accident involving one of its employees who was talking on his cell phone at the time of the accident.

In Florida, a jury ordered a company to pay almost $21...

Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

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clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:756,105 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2011 12:56:57 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse none of their business
MrBSU87 Champion Author Fort Wayne Posts:5,888 Points:628,625 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2011 6:38:07 PM Ignore MrBSU87 Report Abuse Good point.
Eric2448 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,131 Points:230,900 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2011 10:40:29 PM Ignore Eric2448 Report Abuse okay
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,436 Points:426,800 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2011 10:05:49 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse Of course they care, and when you drive safely sometimes your employer will give you certain perks.
wwardyota Champion Author Honolulu Posts:1,451 Points:795,210 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 11:13:30 PM Ignore wwardyota Report Abuse hear, hear! if not common safety and common sense, empty pockets should be a good reinforcer for lack of good judgement...
rx7racerca Champion Author Calgary Posts:4,208 Points:1,114,865 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 11:02:59 PM Ignore rx7racerca Report Abuse Company vehicles are some of the worst offenders I see for distracted driving, day in, day out, mostly while talking on cells. I'm guessing a lot of trades and service businesses use them to keep in touch with staff out on the road - but it's a poor advertisement for a business to see poorly driven vans and trucks wandering around and varying speed widely as their drivers are fully engaged in talking on their phones.
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,334 Points:1,534,725 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:56:08 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse That's why we ban cell phones in vehicles.
jimbo1867 Champion Author Arizona Posts:5,392 Points:2,058,450 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:55:18 PM Ignore jimbo1867 Report Abuse good stuff .. hit em where they hurt
TableTalk Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,184 Points:558,700 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:49:32 PM Ignore TableTalk Report Abuse All the more reason to not talk and drive at the same time. and other distractions like talking, smoking, listening to the radio... [Edited by: TableTalk at 8/30/2011 11:51:27 PM EST]
MarAzul Champion Author London Posts:3,786 Points:681,435 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:48:33 PM Ignore MarAzul Report Abuse Focus on the road.
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:10,066 Points:1,490,780 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:48:21 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse Employers are quickly writing procedures against these dangerous actions and training employees ASAP to deflect possible liability(Cover Your A$$ at all costs)
CatMan623 Champion Author Houston Posts:16,390 Points:2,346,945 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:45:39 PM Ignore CatMan623 Report Abuse Sorry to be so blunt, but hang up, shut up, turn off the electronics, stop swatting the kids, stop shaving or putting on make-up and PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD.
Rt118E Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:9,503 Points:1,371,195 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:45:11 PM Ignore Rt118E Report Abuse Accident cost everyone a lot of money.
CVA19 Champion Author Salem Posts:2,393 Points:612,050 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:44:29 PM Ignore CVA19 Report Abuse I'm totally against the lawyers going after any and all deep pockets that they can find. Having said this, employers need to be mindful that they could become a target, and be proactive about electronic-device use by employees while driving, especially when driving a company vehicle or conducting company business from a POV. Oregon has a law in place banning use of cellphones (other than hands-free) while driving. I don't agree with the cellphone-specific law, because I believe the laws in place forbidding "distracted driving" already apply. (Politicians can't help themselves, they can't admit that fewer laws are better than more laws.) Yet, even with this additional law, I have to deal with cellphone distracted drivers several times a day. A bit of poetic justice. Several months ago, an Oregon State Trooper driving an unmarked car was hit from behind while driving on the interstate at 55 mph (speed limit through Portland); which nocked the officer's car into the grass median. The driver (without thinking, I'm sure), apologized profusely; stating that he was distracted by his cellphone!
Buffalo Joe Champion Author Alberta Posts:8,611 Points:2,511,800 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:44:10 PM Ignore Buffalo Joe Report Abuse The fines are to small for driving while texting etc.
carefrey Champion Author Orlando Posts:5,545 Points:1,161,435 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:41:22 PM Ignore carefrey Report Abuse It is extremely un- professional and dangerous to everyone else around them.
lesndave Champion Author Texas Posts:3,052 Points:704,080 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:35:19 PM Ignore lesndave Report Abuse Interesting. Since my job does not involve travel, I haven't thought about it much. Of course, I'm not in the habit of talking while I am driving.
CatskillHiker Champion Author New York Posts:22,304 Points:2,392,820 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:35:18 PM Ignore CatskillHiker Report Abuse Agreed drobbbb, Big brother(s) are always watching. And don't even ask about Google. Food for thought the next time you do a web search. :-)
CPGas1815 Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,027 Points:1,099,605 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:35:09 PM Ignore CPGas1815 Report Abuse Those who talk while driving are not only endangering themselves they are endangering those whom these idiots share the road.
kame2c Champion Author Portland Posts:5,620 Points:193,725 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:33:35 PM Ignore kame2c Report Abuse I agree with, northeast.
kame2c Champion Author Portland Posts:5,620 Points:193,725 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:32:02 PM Ignore kame2c Report Abuse Makes sense to me... Though in all these lawsuits we all pay the settlement.
Holly123 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,212 Points:792,910 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:30:44 PM Ignore Holly123 Report Abuse My employer only cares that I get my derrier there on time!
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:6,003 Points:1,115,215 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:29:02 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse And the buck gets passed down... What next jammers in all cars???
Bud122CA Champion Author California Posts:7,481 Points:1,608,025 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:28:30 PM Ignore Bud122CA Report Abuse if they are payingyou to drive, they have the right to knowhow you drive.
SovietSunrise Champion Author San Antonio Posts:7,899 Points:1,117,010 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:27:30 PM Ignore SovietSunrise Report Abuse Wow, this is very, very interesting. Never really considered it actually. Thought it would fall under personal liability rather than the company's or employer's liability.
northeast2 Champion Author New York Posts:3,849 Points:1,007,200 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:23:52 PM Ignore northeast2 Report Abuse We are slaves to all sorts of electronic devices.
Agabel Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:2,580 Points:1,160,460 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:21:48 PM Ignore Agabel Report Abuse not a good thing
livable1 Champion Author New York Posts:2,323 Points:283,265 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:21:19 PM Ignore livable1 Report Abuse huh?
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:7,937 Points:1,577,905 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:19:03 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse how does this affect gas prices?
zeddieiv Champion Author Columbia Posts:5,740 Points:1,504,905 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:17:55 PM Ignore zeddieiv Report Abuse Good advice. Hang up and drive, sanely!!
UBDave Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,217 Points:1,376,615 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:11:26 PM Ignore UBDave Report Abuse Although we have a law in BC, Canada against talking or texting while driving, there's plenty of nuts out there that still do, including some transit drivers! A $365 fine for those caught... so let me see, how did they come up with that figure? Maybe a dollar a day for a year? Not stiff enough to stop some drivers!
drobbbb Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,490 Points:814,860 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:10:42 PM Ignore drobbbb Report Abuse big brother watching
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:8,395 Points:1,898,110 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:09:55 PM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse Cell phone usage needs to be banned totally, while driving period
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:17,635 Points:3,497,630 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:08:25 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse When you are on the company dime, you need to adhere to the company policies (including cell phone usage).
Patch44 Champion Author Buffalo Posts:5,765 Points:1,700,025 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:06:50 PM Ignore Patch44 Report Abuse Drive now, talk later.
JAM11MS All-Star Author Mississippi Posts:830 Points:451,175 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:05:44 PM Ignore JAM11MS Report Abuse ok
serrog Champion Author Nova Scotia Posts:5,579 Points:1,515,055 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:05:29 PM Ignore serrog Report Abuse Makes sense
mcmonsta Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,237 Points:820,645 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:04:43 PM Ignore mcmonsta Report Abuse makes a lot sense to me...maybe about time!
JTRaceFan Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,470 Points:185,240 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:02:35 PM Ignore JTRaceFan Report Abuse @mmene, how do you know that the company didn't encourage the employee to be on the phone? Employers want more and more time from employees. My last employer made it mandatory to take company laptops home at night so that business could be conducted at all hours. Is it unreasonable to think that they would want employees to be "working" during drive time, also? I know that my boss has called me while I was driving home from work. [Edited by: JTRaceFan at 8/30/2011 11:05:02 PM EST]
g747 Champion Author Mobile Posts:4,551 Points:935,620 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 10:02:10 PM Ignore g747 Report Abuse That's a more than fair Judgement Call!!!!.
regasaz Champion Author Phoenix Posts:5,775 Points:1,283,880 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 9:59:06 PM Ignore regasaz Report Abuse Liability, Liability, Liability
mmene Champion Author Houston Posts:4,347 Points:938,970 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 9:57:16 PM Ignore mmene Report Abuse Seems a little insane for a company to be punished for an employees irresponsibility. It is not like the company encouraged this person to be on the phone.
ObieDog Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,976 Points:854,595 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 9:45:09 PM Ignore ObieDog Report Abuse I had employees almost 10 years ago sign a contract that they would not use or even answer the company phones while driving.
jjjleblanc Champion Author Rochester Posts:5,888 Points:1,522,075 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 9:37:18 PM Ignore jjjleblanc Report Abuse This would just be a start.
altima2008 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:8,175 Points:1,739,940 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 9:16:30 PM Ignore altima2008 Report Abuse My employer needs to mind its own business especially when it comes to my personal life!
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,500 Points:1,560,450 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 8:49:47 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse Don't drive and talk on the cell phone at the same time.
schatzila Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,964 Points:1,019,545 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 8:49:01 PM Ignore schatzila Report Abuse Not in my case.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,088 Points:2,348,435 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 8:38:38 PM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Don’t record gas prices while driving, Brandon wants you to be ‘at the gas station’ or the vehicle is stopped when recording.
VF76SF Sophomore Author Detroit Posts:116 Points:58,935 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 7:59:16 PM Ignore VF76SF Report Abuse Drivers of commercial vehicles are prohibited from using any type of hand held electronic device while operating a vehicle. This applies even if you are stopped at a light. You can talk on your cell phone only if using a Bluetooth earpiece or other handsfree system. If you cause an accident the other person sees your company as having deep pockets and will sue for millions.
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:8,575 Points:1,547,300 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2011 7:49:58 PM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse I was pulled aside for driving a forklift with a cup of coffee in my hand...