In which scenario would an employer be held liable under vicarious liability?

Vicarious liability is a legal principle that holds an employer responsible for the actions of their employees if those actions occur within the scope of employment. In the context of the question, when an employee is negligent while performing job duties, the employer can be held liable because the negligent act is directly related to the employee's job responsibilities.

This liability arises from the idea that the employer has a duty to ensure that employees are adequately trained and supervised, maintaining a safe working environment. If an employee's negligent act leads to harm while they are carrying out their job-related tasks, it reflects on the employer's responsibility for their employees’ actions during work hours.

The other scenarios involve actions that fall outside the acceptable bounds of employment. When an employee acts outside the scope of their employment, commits a crime unrelated to their duties, or leaves work voluntarily to run personal errands, these actions would not typically be viewed as part of their professional responsibilities. In these instances, vicarious liability would not apply, and the employer would not usually be held accountable for those acts.