Employers may give the thumbs-down to the Blackberry

Posted November 14, 2006 at 10:17 PM by XXJacob Boxford

Section: Communications, Smartphones, Gadgets / Other, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous

We have four fingers and a thumb.  The thumb is very useful, because when combined with our fingers, it allows us to grip tools, weapons, food, and lots of other things.  We can give the thumbs-up or thumbs-down, we can hitch hike with it and we can even wrestle with it.  But, as far as we know, there yet to be a thumb-related lawsuit… until now.

In the last few years, we have been introduced to the Blackberry device with its tiny keyboard that is only accessible with our thumbs.  The newest medical condition caused by this device is called the “Blackberry Thumb.“  The condition causes pain, throbbing, swelling and tendonitis, according to the American Physical Therapy Association.  Many employers provide Blackberry’s to their employees to make them more productive.  We think that the gain in productivity might be out-weighted by the potential liability.  It will follow carpal tunnel into the annuals of Worker’s Compensation history.

USA Today talked to Frank Morris yesterday, an attorney in Washington, D.C.  Morris says “Employers need to develop policies on PDA use. They also face a liability risk because some employees could argue they’re entitled to overtime if a staffer is expected to use a company-provided PDA after work hours.“  Lawyers will try to get overtime pay for their clients, and use the Worker’s Compensation laws to get big paydays.  Employers beware.

Read [USA Today]