scope of employment

scope of employment

The actions taken by an employee in furtherance of the employer's business objectives or the employee's job description. Wrongful conduct within the scope of employment will subject the employer to liability, even if it had no knowledge of the wrong and had specific rules prohibiting such behavior.

Example: A receptionist who places minority callers on “hold” for long periods of time before transferring them to an apartment leasing agent, but who transfers white callers immediately, is engaging in discriminatory behavior that is within the scope of his or her employment as a recep- tionist. Answering calls and making decisions to transfer those calls is within the scope of employment. How people make decisions within the scope of their employment can result in lia- bility to the employer. If, in this example, the receptionist shot and killed a minority applicant entering the reception area, that would not be within the scope of employment for a receptionist, although it might be for a security guard.