Employees and Car Phones
- Thread starter User
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marzjennings
Legendary Member
- Location
- Houston, Texas, USA
No, but when I used to be on-call I was obliged to call back within 15 minutes if I ever got a call I couldn't answer immediately. Others I know had call back times of 5 minutes or a damn good reason why not.
classic33
Leg End Member
Law was changed earlier this year
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/driving-laws-changing-heres-you-12669480
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/driving-laws-changing-heres-you-12669480
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
They can't compelled you do do anything inherently risky without the proper risk assessments etc. Seeing as using hands free equipment has been shown to reduce a drivers reactions to those of a drink driver I would suggest it is inherently risky.
My response would be "bugger off, I'll answer when it is safe to park and take the call, and at no over time."
My response would be "bugger off, I'll answer when it is safe to park and take the call, and at no over time."
glasgowcyclist
Charming but somewhat feckless
- Location
- Scotland
Not specific legislation but this guide has useful points to consider:
https://www.rospa.com/rospaweb/docs/advice-services/road-safety/employers/work-mobile-phones.pdf
Talking on the phone while driving is an avoidable (& substantial) distraction which I think is an unreasonable expectation from any employer. As the guide mentioned above says, even talking on hands-free can be prosecuted if police can show it affected your driving, so I'd respectfully tell my employer that I'd not accept calls unless I was parked. I can always find somewhere safe to stop and return their call.
https://www.rospa.com/rospaweb/docs/advice-services/road-safety/employers/work-mobile-phones.pdf
"Employers who require their staff to use any mobile phone while driving for work could be prosecuted under
health and safety law if an investigation determined that using a phone contributed to a crash. Victims could
also pursue claims for compensation in the civil courts."
health and safety law if an investigation determined that using a phone contributed to a crash. Victims could
also pursue claims for compensation in the civil courts."
Talking on the phone while driving is an avoidable (& substantial) distraction which I think is an unreasonable expectation from any employer. As the guide mentioned above says, even talking on hands-free can be prosecuted if police can show it affected your driving, so I'd respectfully tell my employer that I'd not accept calls unless I was parked. I can always find somewhere safe to stop and return their call.
D
Deleted member 26715
Guest
Other than set the phone to auto answer when in bluetooth mode
nickyboy
Norven Mankey
- Location
- You want hills? We got hills
Isn't the answer to tell the employer that if you receive a call while driving you won't answer it immediately but will prioritise parking up and then call back?
Seems a perfectly reasonable compromise. Other than motorways I can't imagine it being more than 5 minutes to find somewhere to park
Seems a perfectly reasonable compromise. Other than motorways I can't imagine it being more than 5 minutes to find somewhere to park
