Negligent Hiring of Bus Drivers

In a recent news report published by the Chicago Tribune, a Chicago school bus driver who was under investigation of a sexual assault charge of a student was allowed to continue operating a bus when he allegedly entrapped and endangered another female student. This repeated allegation brought to light questions about why the bus driver was allowed to continue to work in light of the nature of his first allegation. The Chicago public school system has nearly 2,000 different routes that are operated by a number of transportation providers. Because of this high volume of routes and bus drivers, they are unable to verify and update the background checks of every employee of these independent companies. The school system must, therefore, trust in the proper hiring practices of these companies.

But this case indicates that negligent hiring does occur and can have serious consequences, especially in situations which involve a type of public service or ones that involve the safety of children. Not only is the bus driver, in this instance, responsible for the criminality of his own actions, but it is possible that the company that operates the bus is culpable for negligent hiring and employment of this person. Bus drivers, like any position that includes interaction with children, have a responsibility to care for the safety of their customers.

Proper hiring requirements, including thorough background checks, drug testing and continued supervision of employees, should be practiced by all transportation companies to provide reliable and reasonable safety for their customers. This case is not the only one like it, and should be addressed by every community.

For more information about negligent hiring related to public transportation, visit the website of Iowa negligent hiring attorneys LaMarca & Landry, P.C..