Respondeat superior means what?

• A. The employee is personally responsible for negligent acts
• B. Respondeat superior applies only to volunteers
• C. The employer is responsible for acts of employees performed within the scope of employment
• D. There are no exceptions to the doctrine

Answer: (C)

Respondeat superior is a form of vicarious liability: an employer can be held responsible for harm caused by its employees when the actions occur within the scope of the employee’s job duties. In practice, this means if a staff member acts as part of their work and their negligent act harms someone, the employer can be liable even if the employer didn’t directly cause the mistake. This principle incentivizes workplaces to supervise, train, and set clear policies to reduce risk.

The statement that the employer is responsible for acts within the scope of employment is the best answer because it captures the essential relationship. The idea that the employee is personally responsible is only true when the act is outside the scope of employment or not authorized by the employer. Respondeat superior does not typically apply to volunteers or independent contractors in the same way, and there are exceptions to the doctrine (for example, acts outside the scope, intentional torts, or situations where supervision or hiring failures play a role).