Presented by: Christopher F. Hawthorne

Many contractor businessowners face the question of what to do about employees that moonlight at night and on weekends. Does allowing employees to moonlight put a business in harm’s way? It could.

When an employee moonlights, they are taking on the same general liability, workers compensation, and auto exposures as the employer. Even if the employee carries their own insurance, their actions may be increasing the employer’s liability and future insurance costs.

If a moonlighting employee uses the employer’s vehicle which is still dressed with the employer’s logo, and is using the employer’s tools, could the customer state that they thought they were working with the employer after a loss occurred? Since the moonlighting employee might have little or no coverage, it is conceivable that the customer might look to the employer for coverage for damage done by the moonlighting employee. If so, the employer’s general liability, commercial auto, or even workers compensation would respond to a claim filed against the employer.

When the commercial general liability policy is examined for its wording, there are several troublesome areas. The first is the definition of an insured; it includes employees acting in the scope of their employment. This is not great wording in terms of your own protection. Second, the definition of your product includes products traded or sold under “your” name. If the employee is there with the employer’s truck, logo and knowledge, could an attorney-an insurance attorney at that-make a case to pull the employer in? Is this a bet worth taking? As contractors with claims experience know, the process can be unfair, and it can cost significant future premiums while the argument is going through court. The fact that the employer allowed moonlighting to occur makes a strong argument for vicarious liability.

If the employee got hurt while moonlighting, it could potentially pull the employer’s workers compensation (wherein, the employee might rope in professional legal counsel similar to the ones dealing with workers comp attorney in Columbus OH) in. If the employee worked for a few hours the next day and claimed that the injury really happened on the employer’s job, the employer’s workers compensation would be forced to prove the employee was not working at his or her job at the time of the injury. This could prove to be quite difficult and the employer’s workers compensation may end up paying the claim.

If the employer’s vehicle is being used with the employer’s permission, the commercial auto and possibly the umbrella would definitely be involved in a claim should there be an accident.

In short, without being paid for the risk, the employer is at risk. Contractors may wish to consider making it a condition of employment that moonlighting is not allowed. Two methods for preventing moonlight, along with a written policy, are as follows:

• Equip company vehicles with GPS monitoring so the employer can see when a vehicle is in use after hours. There have been several reported cases of GPS monitoring even identifying employees that moonlight while on duty for the employer!
• Leave all company vehicles, tools, and uniforms at the employer’s business location each night. This may require the employer to provide a changing area and cleaning service.

Employees should know that their personal homeowner’s insurance provides no liability for their business pursuits. From both the employer and the employee’s point of view, moonlighting is not a good idea.

The good news for employers is there are options to help reduce moonlighting. A possible solution may be to offer employees commissions for business they bring in. They could also offer discount pricing for the employees friends and family. These two options would help satisfy the employees desire to increase their income and alleviate the pressure of helping their friends and family after work.