LONDON, UK – Firms are failing to put in place guidelines on mobile phone laws leaving staff and bosses open to prosecution, according to the Fleet News, a UK-based fleet management magazine. Research by hands-free communications specialist Jabra in conjunction with YouGov, found that 22 percent of businesses still do not have policies on the use of in-car mobile phones used for company business. And under Department for Transport guidelines, employers are liable if they require employees to use a hand-held phone while driving or if they fail to forbid employees to use such phones on company business. But only 78 percent of businesses have introduced a mobile phone policy for in-car use, smaller businesses are the worst offenders with only one third of SMEs having a suitable policy in place.

More alarmingly, 38 percent of managers said they would not feel responsible if one of their employees had an accident whilst taking a work-related call in the car.