We lost an employee yesterday in our school bus office, he was a driver that had 10 years with us.

He quit because he doesnt understand why he cannot use his blue tooth headset and be on his cell phone while driving a school bus.

Company and School District policy is no driver is allowed to talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel of a school bus.

He argued that being on a headset, his hands are free to drive.

We argued that talking on the phone is distracting him from the most important thing-keeping his mind on the safety of 50 children behind him.

Are we out of bounds here?

As a parent, I would not want my school bus driver talking on a cell phone or blue tooth while driving my kid to school.

How do you feel?

You are absolutely not out of bounds.  His full attention should be on the safety of the children.  No exceptions.  How did he last 10 years with your company?

I'm with Richard…

Rules are rules.  It's your company…you should feel free to run it as you see fit. 

But that's an arugment for another day. 

It's simple, if he's talking on the phone, he's not paying attention to the kids on the bus.  It's hard enough to watch the road and the kids, but throwing in a cell phone too?  There's no way he can do that and be 100% safe.

You were 100% in the right, David.  The distraction is the conversation, not the act of holding the phone. And look at it this way -- if something horrible had ever happened and it was discovered that he was on the cell phone, can you IMAGINE the lawsuit???

Besides, if that's the only reason he quit, then he's a fucking idiot.  There's likely more to it than that. If not, good riddance.

They have done studies that show exactly what everyone is saying.  It is the conversation, not the act of holding the phone, that causes the distraction that leads to accidents.  You were 100% correct in standing your ground in this.  Besides…it is your company…therefore your rules!!!

He has been a model employee up until yesterday. I don't know what set him off. He has only had the bluetooth for about a week and we just found out he has been wearing it in the bus.

Fucking Idiot?  I agree. Want more proof?

He was 9 Days from the end of school AND a $ 1000 bonus for 10 years of service and not missing one single day of school this year.

That is a DOUBLE FUCKING IDIOT.

There is no reason for a cell phone in a school bus. We have two way radios in case of problems.

Thanks for all your support. I knew we were right.

definitely right.

talking on cellphones while driving has been illegal in Israel for a lot longer than it has in the US because of accidents, etc.

if he's driving a bus full of kids, it's a hell of a lot more important for him to be focused on what he's doing and the road rather than be on the phone or listening to music.

Heard yesterday he is contacting a lawyer.

ROTFLMAO. 

It's a company and school district policy. And he quit because of it. His choice.

What for?  For Quiting?  What in the world would a lawyer do?

He claims that he had no choice but to resign because we never told him that bluetooths were not allowed.

Our manual cleary says that "talking on a cell phone of any kind while driving a school route is prohibited".

What an ass. 

So today he came crawling back in here all apologetic and wanted his job back.  And the first thing out of his mouth was "Is there anyway I can get my bonus?"

No and No.

I'd rather pay his unemployment. Rumor has it the district is going to be cutting routes this summer due to the gas prices, so we wont be desperate for drivers in the fall.

Good for you!