What legal doctrine holds an employer liable for an employee's acts within the scope of employment?

The legal doctrine that holds an employer liable for an employee’s acts within the scope of employment is respondeat superior.

The Latin phrase means roughly “let the superior answer.” In tort law, it can make an employer, often called the principal or master, legally responsible for harm caused by an employee or agent when the conduct is sufficiently connected to the person’s assigned work. The employee may also remain personally liable.

Courts usually examine the circumstances and the employee’s job-related activities. An employer may be liable for an act performed while carrying out work duties, but generally not for a purely personal departure known as a frolic. A minor detour may be treated differently, depending on the jurisdiction and facts.

Vicarious liability is the broader concept of imposing liability on one party for another’s conduct; respondeat superior is the classic employer-employee application. Negligence per se and strict liability describe different legal theories. The doctrine does not necessarily require the employer itself to have acted negligently, although separate negligent-hiring or negligent-supervision claims may also be brought.