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Last week, the NTSB became the first federal agency
in the U.S. to prohibit employee use of cell phones while
driving.
NTSB Chairwoman Debbie Hersman said that since the NTSB
investigates accidents, they should
lead by example and be safe while driving.
Studies have shown that using a cell phone while
driving substantially increases the chance of accidents, and
this has cost employers dearly.
Smith Barney paid a $500,000 settlement to the family of
a motorcyclist killed by one of its employees who was making a
business call on his personal cell phone while driving, and
it was after business hours.
The city of Honolulu
paid $1,500,000 to a man
who suffered brain damage after he was hit by a city
employee who was talking on a cell phone while driving.
I've been rear ended twice by teenagers who were yapping on
their cell phones and would love to outlaw everyone from using cell
phones while driving.
But
I realize the idea is unrealistic, and would also be
hypocritical since the only time I talk on my cellphone
is when I'm driving down the interstate.
But
it does beg the question, "If it is necessary for employees to
use cell phones while driving, how can companies protect
themselves from lawsuits, and protect employees and the general
public from harm?
One
answer is to have a safety policy that addresses how, when, and
where employees may use cell phones.
Rebecca Hastings, director of the information center at the
Society for Human Resource Management, says cell phones are
"the cigarettes of this decade” describes them as an addiction.
Kelly Services reports that over 40% of U.S. companies now have
a policy on cell phone usage.
If
you're going to put employees behind the wheel, and put a cell
phone in their hand, you need a safety policy in your policy
manual.
To
Your Success,
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“If a person gets his attitude
towards money straight, it will
help straighten out almost every
other area in his life.” |
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Billy Graham |
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Dear Glenn,
If you don't trust
employees that would cheat on their spouses, then what
is your take on a long-term employee that has filed for
Chapter 13 twice during employment?
This person doesn't deal with money transactions, but I find it
hard to believe much of what they say.
I'm not in a position to make termination decisions, but
I am an administrator with the company and my input is
considered by the boss.
Should I feel this distrust or am I being unfair?
Sheri
in Montana
Dear Sheri,
It depends on why
this person has filed for Chapter 13 twice.
When someone cheats on their spouse, it's an integrity
issue.
When someone files for bankruptcy, it could be anything
from medical bills to addictions to simply mismanaging
money.
However, it IS common practice for companies to run
credit checks on employees that handle money, and move
them to a different position if they're having personal
financial trouble. While everyone who handles company
money and reads this will send me emails swearing they'd
never embezzle from their company even if they were
having personal financial trouble, the statistics tell
a different story.
A group of federal prison guards who attended my seminar
in Kentucky told me they have credit reports run on them
every year, because guards who get into financial trouble are far more likely to take a bribe to
look the other way while an inmate's wife smuggles in
drugs, etc.
What I do suggest to every employer is that they pay for
all of their employees to take Dave Ramsey's Financial
Peace University class, because employees who are
stressed out about money are less productive and less
pleasant to be around.
Thanks for your question.
Glenn In Nashville.
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