Human Resource Blog

No cell phone use while driving

Is it legal and if so, how can we enforce a policy restricting cell phone use while driving? Or requiring a hands free device? Can we even tell employees that cell phone use and texting while on duty are absolutely not allowed?

Yes, you can and should simply tell employees that cell phone use and texting while working are not allowed. Many employers from factories to fast food restaurants have taken this approach. It is especially appropriate since your employees are driving.

Research shows that use of a hands-free device while driving is just as dangerous as using a regular cell phone. The problem is that the driver is paying attention to the conversation, not to traffic. When the unexpected occurs, the driver on the phone is too distracted to react safely. The result can be a fatal accident — and a huge liablility for your company.

Our recommendation is that you do not permit employees to have cell phones on them at work. If this is not practical, you absolutely must have a policy in place that no phone calls or texting is permitted while driving. Any employee who does this should be terminated immediately — no second chances. After you fire one or two employees for cell phone use behind the wheel, the others will stop.