Which legal doctrine states that an employer is responsible for the actions of employees while in the course of their employment?

The legal doctrine that asserts an employer is responsible for the actions of employees conducted within the scope of their employment is known as respondeat superior. This principle is grounded in the notion that employers have a duty to ensure their employees act in a manner that is consistent with the responsibilities of their roles, thus making them liable for any negligent or harmful actions that take place during the course of employment. This concept is vital in employment law as it holds employers accountable for their workers' behaviors.

Parens patriae concerns the state's role in protecting those who cannot protect themselves, notably minors or individuals deemed unable to manage their own affairs. Substitute judgment is a legal concept used primarily in healthcare ethics, allowing a surrogate decision-maker to make choices for a patient who is unable to do so. Malfeasance refers to the performance of an unlawful or improper act, mostly in a moral or legal sense, but does not specifically relate to employer liability like respondeat superior does. Understanding these distinctions is essential for grasping how liability and responsibility are navigated in various legal contexts.