Whether employees want  phone and mobile access to email and  the internet  or employers want their employees to have access, smartphones seem to be the ‘must have’ business accessory these days.   As with many technologies, the lawsuits come in quicker than companies can draft and enforce policies related to the technology.  Lately we’ve been seeing a whole wave of employer liability  / smartphone articles at the National Law Review. So here's a little round-up of what's been posted lately:  

For a General Overview of the Human Resource / Risk Management Issues Related to Smartphones:

You’ve Got Mail (and a Lawsuit): Mobile Communication Devices and the Wage and Hour Pitfalls they Present 

Are You Calling, E-mailing or Texting Employees While They Drive? You May Want to Reconsider

For Department of Transportation / State Law Guidelines Related to Texting While Driving or Distracted Driving:

Department of Transportation Prohibits Drivers of Commercial Vehicles From Texting While Driving

Distracted Driving Policies: Improve Safety and Limit Exposure

New Kentucky Law Bans Texting While Driving

For Overtime Pay Issues and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) Issues Related to Smartphones:

Company-Issued Smartphones and the FLSA: Keeping Employees Connected May Have Its Price

Curtailing the After-Hours Use of Blackberries by Non-Exempt Employees

Overtime Lawsuit for Use of PDA’s Hi-Lights Potential Liability for Off-Duty Electronic Communications

For the Use of Smartphones and Employer  Liability Related to Eavesdropping:

Beware the Allure of Smartphone Technology: Recording Others without Consent May Get You in Serious Trouble