Which term best describes the liability of an employer for acts committed by their employees during the course of their employment?

The term that best describes the liability of an employer for acts committed by their employees during the course of their employment is vicarious liability. This legal concept holds that an employer can be held responsible for the actions of its employees if those actions occur within the scope of employment. The rationale behind vicarious liability is based on the idea that employers have the ability to control their employees and the work environment, making it fair for them to bear the financial burden of any wrongful acts that occur in the course of conducting business.

Both "respondeat superior" and "vicarious liability" are closely related concepts in law. "Respondeat superior" is a specific doctrine under the umbrella of vicarious liability, which means "let the master answer." This term emphasizes the employer's accountability for the actions of employees. However, since the question seeks the term that best encompasses the overall concept, "vicarious liability" is more appropriate.

On the other hand, negligent hiring refers to an employer's liability for harm caused by hiring an unfit employee, highlighting a failure in the hiring process rather than actions taken during employment. Direct liability involves the employer's own negligence or misconduct, rather than liability incurred through the employee's actions. Thus,