What is the legal responsibility of an employer for the acts of an employee known as?

The legal responsibility of an employer for the acts of an employee is known as vicarious liability. This concept refers to a situation where one party (the employer) is held liable for the actions of another party (the employee) when those actions are performed in the course of their employment. In essence, if an employee causes harm or injury while doing their job, the employer may be required to compensate the injured party or bear the legal consequences resulting from the employee's actions.

Vicarious liability operates on the principle that employers have a responsibility to oversee their employees and ensure that they are acting within the scope of their job duties. This means that employers can be held accountable for both negligent and intentional acts committed by their employees during work-related activities. This legal doctrine is significant for holding employers responsible for fostering a safe environment and providing adequate training to employees.

The other options refer to different legal principles: absolute liability involves holding an individual fully responsible without any proof of negligence, joint liability pertains to situations where two or more parties share liability for a single obligation, and negligent liability relates specifically to the failure to meet a standard of care causing harm. Each of these has distinct legal implications that do not apply to the employer-employee relationship in the context of vicar