Cell phones have become a valuable tool in conducting business as more employees are using them to perform their jobs. Among other things, they can help boost productivity by keeping employees connected to the office and to clients. However, cell phones also raise a number of issues involving safety, security, and privacy.

Plus, there are liability issues for employers. For example, if an employee has a car accident and hurts someone while making a work-related cell phone call, the employer as well as the employee may be found liable. Several lawsuits have been filed against employers as well as employees who have harmed someone allegedly because of cell phone use while driving and doing business at the same time.

The best advice for employers is to check state and local laws and to instruct employees in writing not to use cell phones while driving. They should also be instructed that if they receive a cell phone call, they should let voice mail answer it and/or call back when they can stop at a safe area.