STEP 4
Tool 4A
Applying the Policy in Your Setting
While general education is needed so that every employee understands the policy, an individual who oversees other employees (at any level of the organization) can foster additional learning and discussion by engaging in an intentional conversation with employees who directly report to them about how the policy specifically applies in their work setting. This intentional conversation can be one-on-one with a supervisor and employee or in a work group, department, or team. The goal of this conversation is to take what was learned about the policy and make meaning of the policy in a specific context or to a specific work team or group.
Prompt:
We just learned about the new distracted driving policy for our workplace. I would like to discuss specifically how it applies to us in our department. I want us to talk about how we make this policy “real” in our setting.
Ask:
What does this policy mean for our department or work team?
How does this change what we do on a daily basis?
In what ways can we go beyond what the general policy requires to encourage safety for our team?
What do we agree on?
How can we hold each other accountable to this policy?
Remember, you are seeking to create an environment where employees have input and feel as though they have a say in how the policy will look in their setting or with their work team. Participation increases understanding and ownership. Ownership increases compliance and commitment. This conversation is also an opportunity for employees to actively engage with the policy and to specifically discuss how the policy can be applied in their work setting.
Conclusion:
We care about our work team and our safety in this department. We have discussed how we can take this distracted driving policy and apply it to our specific work setting (which may go beyond the requirements of the policy). We have agreed on (list specific behaviors) in our department and have agreed to hold each other accountable by modeling these behaviors (list what was agreed upon) in our team.
Washington Distracted Driving Law
In creating and implementing a workplace policy, it is important to understand current laws in Washington. In Washington, it is against the law to use your cell phone while you are driving.
Laws explicitly include both text-based communications and talking on the phone while driving without appropriate hands-free devices.
Washington also acknowledges that a wide variety of other behaviors could distract a driver and result in dangerously distracted driving. An officer can cite a driver for engaging in any activity not related to the actual operation of the motor vehicle in a manner that interferes with its safe operation. See: https://wadrivetozero.com/distracted-driving/ for more information about the laws.